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Electrical People - NEMA Names Kite & Key Recipients

Nov. 10, 2014

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) (Rosslyn, Va.): NEMA will honor three Kite & Key award winners during its annual meeting, Illuminations Weekend, on Nov. 8, in San Diego. This year’s winners are Kevin Coderre, technical director at RSCC Wire & Cable; Pekka Hakkarainen, PhD, vice president of Lutron Electronics Co.; and Mike Leibowitz, program manager at NEMA.

Coderre became involved with the NEMA High Performance Wire and Cable Section in 1990, developing next generation aerospace wires. He first served as a chair of the 7HW Shipboard Technical Committee beginning in the mid-1990s until 2000, and then again from 2001 until 2011. This committee, which he now vice-chairs, upgraded Navy cable specifications with state-of-the-art electronic cables. He also has chaired the High Performance Wire and Cable Aerospace Technical Committee since 2004.

Hakkarainen has been involved in NEMA activities since the mid-1990s. His first chair position at NEMA was with the Lighting Controls Council from 2002 to 2004. During his tenure as chair, the council became the Lighting Controls Section in late 2004. Hakkarainen is the immediate past chair of the Lighting Systems Division, and currently chairs the High Performance Buildings Council and the Daylight Management Council. He has also served on the board of the Global Lighting Association, of which NEMA is a member.

Leibowitz is the first NEMA staff person to be honored with a Kite & Key award. Since becoming a program manager for the trade association in 1991, he has led the building wire and cable, conduit fittings, flexible cord, magnet wire, and outlet box industries in meeting their technical and product standardization objectives.

Warshauer Electric Supply (Tinton Falls, N.J.): Pamela Merklinger has become an American Lighting Association (ALA) Certificate Specialist in the area of Kitchen and Bath Lighting. The ALA’s Certificate Specialist program allows ALA Lighting Specialists to gain further specialization in specific areas. The Advanced Kitchen and Bath Lighting designation covers the unique and specific issues lighting professionals need to consider when creating lighting designs in bath and kitchen areas.

Invista (Wichita, Kan.): The company’s Tecgen brand, a manufacturer of flame-resistant (FR) fabrics and garments, recently announced the hiring of Benjamin Abebe as regional sales manager. Abebe will focus on increasing awareness of the need for and advantages of Tecgen FR clothing among utilities as well as oil and gas companies throughout the northeastern United States. Prior to joining Invista, Abebe managed sales for HICO America, a high-voltage breaker and power transformer manufacturer. He also has sales experience with Pella Corp. and Alcoa Home Exteriors. Abebe is a graduate of Robert Morris University, where he earned a BS in marketing.

Robroy Industries Conduit Division (Gilmer, Texas): Robroy recently promoted Stephanie Ellis to marketing manager. In 2011, Ellis was promoted to director of Corrosion College, a two-day intensive course that provides hands-on experience in understanding and combating the process of corrosion. She will continue to occupy this role within the organization. Ellis joined Robroy Industries in 2010 as the executive assistant to the president/COO of Robroy Industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Stephen F. Austin State University and worked for approximately one year as an unpaid intern on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

The Hyde Group (Southbridge, Mass.): The Hyde Group, a manufacturer of surface preparation hand tools, industrial knives and paint applicators, promoted Robert Scoble to a new role as president. He reports to Richard Clemence, CEO. In his new position Scoble is responsible for Hyde Tools and Industrial Blade Solutions and A. Richard Tools of Canada, both owned by Hyde Group, Inc.  After more than 20 years of leadership in other privately held companies, he joined the Hyde Group in 2005 as V.P. of sales and marketing for Hyde Tools. In 2009, he was named executive vice president, and was tapped as president of Hyde Tools in 2010.  As president of the Hyde Group, Inc., Scoble will provide important executive leadership and facilitate the continued growth of all three brands throughout North America and worldwide.

Industrial Supply Association (ISA) (Philadelphia): Jeffrey Hughes is now president and CEO and is serving as primary executive support and liaison to ISA officers, and board of directors. He will represent ISA in external relations, including key industry coalitions and media, among other duties. Hughes was CEO of GAMA International, an organization in the insurance and financial services industry. He also worked with AXA Equitable, AIG and Metropolitan Life and took graduate classes in hospitality management at Cornell University and has a degree in management at Syracuse University.