Western Section Meeting Report

The Western Section held its 103rd annual meeting at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis, Missouri from September 16-19, 2007.  A total of 345 members and 115 guests registered for the meeting. 

The board of directors met on September 16.  Executive Director Jim Carpenter presented his 2007 annual report.  33 display booths for manufacturers, testing organizations, associations and others presented new and leading products.  The members and guests were welcomed at a “Meet Me in St. Louis” Sunday evening reception highlighting the 1904 World’s Fair. 

The official program began on Monday morning, September 17 with a welcome to St. Louis by Sheryl Hodges, Director of Saint Louis County Public Works.  International President Dave Clements addressed the membership.  Section President Jerry Blair, CEO and Executive Director Jim Carpenter, and Section Secretary-Treasurer Ed Lawry presented reports.  Membership Chairman Ron Schapp presented his report and membership awards.  The Wisconsin and Wyoming Chapters had the greatest number of new members while the North Dakota Chapter had the highest net membership growth.  Mark Earley reported on the activities of the NFPA. 

The highlight of the technical program was the presentation of the IAEI Analysis of the 2008 NEC by Mike Johnston, IAEI Director of Education and Phil Simmons.  Another technical presentation was a discussion of Selective Coordination and the NEC by David Bredhold from Eaton/Cutler Hammer.    

Another important and educational portion of the program was the review of NEC Questions and Answers.  A list of written questions was discussed and answered by two code panels consisting of  NEC panel members and recognized experts.  The panels were moderated by Mike Forister and OP Post with panel members Mark Earley, Monte Ewing, Ron Janikowski, Tom Lichtenstein, Richard Loyd, Tim McClintock, Chuck Mello, Tom Moore, Don Offerdahl, Richard Owen, Jim Pauley, Marcus  Sampson, Phil Simmons, Charlie Trout, Ray Weber, and Dave Williams.  Mike Forister led the Charlie Trout code breakfast where members worked as teams to answer a set of code questions, and later presented the answers and announced the winning team.

The business meeting began with the report of the nominating committee by Chairman Tom Moore and the election of officers, board of directors’ members and representatives to the IAEI board of directors.  Ron Schapp presented individual awards to members belonging to the IAEI for 25 or more years.  Ron Schapp was approved for honorary membership in the Western Section in recognition of his 26 years as Western Section Membership Chair.  It was announced that Ron was retiring from this position. Other business included a welcome to Rapid City, South Dakota for the 2008 section meeting.

The annual banquet moderated by Ray Weber included the installation of officers and board of directors’ members by International President Dave Clements.  The meeting was adjourned on September 19 by new Section President Don Offerdahl.

The committee members from the St. Louis Chapter deserve special thanks for handling the entertainment arrangements and guest program highlighted by trips to the Funny Bone Comedy Club and Old Town St. Charles along with helping with meeting details to make this 103rd Annual Western Section meeting a great success.