WAI Chapters

WAI has chapters throughout the U.S., in India, Italy, and Poland, to deliver its membership experience to regional professional communities. Chapters give members a view of both local and global wire and cable industry issues through education programs and social events that also provide networking opportunities at the regional level. New members should indicate interest in chapter involvement during the membership application process.

Chapter memberships are an add-on option available to accompany your regular membership and only costs $20 per year. To add a chapter membership, contact WAI's Membership Department.

Questions: Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-203-453-2777 

Select a WAI Chapter below to learn more:

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[accordion_item title="Mid-South Chapter"]

Chartered: 1998
Region covered: The states of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri

Officers:

President – Andrew Stromer, Linderhill TMC
Vice President – Bob Hughes, Sonoco/Baker Division

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[accordion_item title="Midwest Chapter"]

Chartered: 2001
Region covered: The states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa

2023 Officers:

President: Jay Baumgartner, Sr. Manufacturing Engineer, Superior Essex
Vice-President: Scott Stepanovic, Magnum Metalsource, Inc.

Kevin Sopczak, Castle Metals
Tim Fingeroos, Charter Steel
Cooper Runzel, Lake Cable

[button size="small" type="default" link="/general/1350-wai-chapter-scholarship-winners#MidwestChapterScholWinners"]Scholarship Recipients[/button] 

[button size="small" type="default" link="https://www.cognitoforms.com/thewireassociationinternationalinc/_2024midwestchapterscholarshipapplication"]2024 Scholarship Application[/button]  

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[accordion_item title="New England Chapter"]

Chartered: 1994
Region covered: The states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

2023 Officers:

President – Jessica Foss, Electric Cable Compounds
Vice President – Ryan Carbray, Alphagary
Secretary – Michael Roussel, Celanese
Past President – Mike Sarni, Insulated Wire, Inc. 

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="Ohio Valley Chapter"]

Chartered: 2003
Region covered: The states of Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania (west of State College), and New York (west of Rochester)

Officers:

President – Thomas Maxwell, Jr., Die Quip Corp.
Past President – Rob Fulop, Wire Lab Co.
Director – Brad Andrews, Condat Corp.
Director – Mark MacKimm, Rainbow Rubber & Plastics Inc.

[button size="small" type="default" link="https://www.cognitoforms.com/thewireassociationinternationalinc/_2024waiohiovalleychapterscholarshipapplication"]2024 Scholarship Application[/button]

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="Southeast Chapter"]

Chartered: 2001
Region covered: The states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

Officers:

President – John Dognazzi, Sikora
Treasurer – Brooke Stonesifer, Sonoco

Todd Chikodroff, Southwire Co.
David Horton, Prysmian Group
Tom Richmond, Process Control Corp.

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="Western Chapter"]

Chartered: 1999
Region covered: The states Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska

Officers:

President – Michael Weiss, Whitmor/Wirenetics
Vice President/Treasurer – Stuart Manser, Beta LaserMike
Secretary – Fred Camarena, F. Camarena Inc.
Past President – Michael Howard, Alpha Wire

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="India Chapter"]

Chartered: 2002
Region covered: The country of India

Officers:

President – Raj Kumar Tyagi, Assomac Group
Vice President – Mahesh Astavans, Consultant
Secretary – Nirmal Singh, Assomac Group
Harish Jindal, Kay Pee Dies & Tools

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="Italy Chapter"]

Chartered: 2006
Region covered: The country of Italy

Officers:

President – Giulio Properzi, Continuus-Properzi
Vice President – Andrea Camparada, SAMP SpA SAMPSISTEMI Division
Treasurer – Giovanni Lippolis, ACIMAF
Secretary – Paola D'Oria, Continuus-Properzi
Director – Ferruccio Bellina, TKT Group

[/accordion_item]

[accordion_item title="Poland Chapter"]

Chartered: 1999
Region covered: The country of Poland

Officers:

President – Jan Pilarczyk, Czestochowa University of Technology
First Vice President – Tadeusz Knych, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow
Secretary – Piotr Romanski

Treasurer – Jaroslaw Jasinski
Past Treasurer –Justyna Adamczyk

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Join WAI | Renew Membership

Meet your peers. Achieve your goals. Join WAI or renew your membership today.

Members of WAI, the leading technical society for the international wire and cable manufacturing industry, rank networking as the #1 reason to join the Association. As a member you can expect to meet like-minded professionals, experts, and pioneers from WAI’s diverse community who will help you continue to develop your career.

WAI membership is available to individuals engaged in the manufacture and sale of wire or wire products, mill machinery, equipment, materials or services to the industry.

WAI inspires today's wire and cable leaders and cultivates tomorrow's luminaries. Its network comprises of more than 2,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. 

Please note that WAI membership operates on an individual basis. We do not offer company-wide memberships that would cover everyone from your company.

Please contact WAI's membership department if you are looking to sign-up a larger group of employees. A volume discount may be available. 

How to pay membership dues:

Questions? Let us know:

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WAI Chapter Scholarship Winners

WAI chapter events help to fund scholarship programs for deserving students. Congratulations to all past scholarship recipients.

Midwest Chapter Scholarship Winners 

2023

• Regan Albers, daughter of Keith Albers, Fort Wayne Metals 
• Jaida Bender, daughter of Robert Bender, Worth Steel & Machinery, Inc. 
• Kara Michonski, daughter of Kenneth Michonski, Micro Wire & Bar, LLC. 

2022

• Chloe Ruelle, daughter of Stephane Ruelle, Condat Corp.
• Sarah Skolozynski, daughter of Steve Skolozynski, Master Spring & Form Company
• Fiona Wehrle, daughter of Jay Wehrle, Fort Wayne Metals

2021

• Sarah Baumgartner, daughter of Jay Baumgartner, Essex Furukawa/Superior Essex
• Jaida Bender, daughter of Robert Bender, Worth Steel & Machinery Inc.
• Jeremiah Evans, son of Jerry Evans, SDI LaFarga Copperworks

2020

• Nathan Fingeroos, son of Tim Fingeroos, Charter Steel
• Jack Skidmore, son of Chris Skidmore, OmniSource LLC
• Sarah Skolozynski, daughter of Steve Skolozynski, Master Spring & Form Company

2019

• Joshua Bender, son of Robert Bender, Worth Steel
• Nathan Fingeroos, son of Tim Fingeroos, Charter Steel
• Rachel Ruble, daughter of Todd Ruble, Fort Wayne Metals
• Grace Selman, daughter of Michael Selman, manufacturing representative
• Emili Tchorz, daughter of Jack Tchorz, Dudek & Bock Spring Manufacturing Co.

2018

• Kadie Bernstein, daughter of Scott Bernstein, Beta Steel Group
• Molly Braunecker, daughter of Chad Braunecker, Cerro Wire

2017

• Eric Stepanovic, son of Lynn Stepanovic, Major Wire
• Scott Stepanovic, son of Lynn Stepanovic, Major Wire

2016

• Tara Swanson, daughter of Todd Swanson, Taubensee Steel and Wire
• Edward Trautner, son of David Trautner, Charter Steel
• Grace Tulloch, daughter of Bob Tulloch, Ivaco Rolling Mills

2015

• Scott Stepanovic, son of Lynn Stepanovic, Major wire
• Olivia White, daughter of Christopher White, O & K American Corp.

2014

• Nathan Palmer, son of Mark T. Palmer, process engineer at 3M Co.

2013

• Meghan Moline, daughter of Kelly Moline, president of TechStrand

2012

• Jason DeGrado, son of Jim DeGrado, Worth Steel & Machinery Inc.

2011

• Jacob Benner, son of Bradley Benner, president of Alps Wire Rope Corp.
• Colin Downey, son of John Downey, sales manager at Fort Wayne Wire Die

2010

• Robert Albright, son of Raymond Albright, manager of process engineering at Superior Essex
• Shelby Leigh Herb, daughter of Jim Herb, sales and marketing manager at Michigan Wire Processing Co.

2009

• James Joseph DeGrado Jr., son of Jim DeGrado, general manager at Worth Steel & Machinery Inc.
• Brittany Moline, daughter Kelly Moline, president at Tech Strand

2008

• Hannah Downey, daughter of John Downey, sales manager at Fort Wayne Wire Die
• Lauren Quick, daughter of James Quick, quality/technical manager at Charter Steel
  
  

New England Chapter Scholarship Winners 

2023

• Kyle Albrinck, son of Alice Albrinck, Teknor Apex
• Amarra Cruz, daughter of Luis Cruz, Times Microwave Systems 
• Katherine Fritz, daughter of James Fritz, Marmon Industrial Energy & Infrastructure Group
• William Goyette, son of Richard Goyette, MassME 
• Roma Kale, daughter of Rita Patel, RSCC Wire & Cable LLC
• John Stecker, grandson of David Stecker, Retired. 

2022

• Alyssa Hicks, daughter of William Jason Hicks, Gem Gravure Co., Inc.
• Owen LaRoss, son of Michael LaRoss, Whitney Blake Co.
• Timothy McComiskey, Thomas McComiskey, MGS Group
• Andrew Person, son of Kimberly Person, Insulated Wire, Inc. 
• Ashley Potvin, granddaughter of Kenneth Potvin, Teknikor
• Aidan Tomaz, grandson of John Tomaz, Wardwell Braiding Machine Co. 

2021

• Ana Aguilar, daughter of Alberto Aguilar, Carris Reels 
• Connor Hartline, son of Christopher Hartline, RichardsApex
• Robert Mancinelli, son of John Mancinelli, Conneaut Industries, Inc. 
• Erik Person, son of Kimberly Person, Insulated Wire, Inc.
• Indigo Zachow, daughter of John Zachow, Davis-Standard 

2020

• Richard Goyette, son of Richard Goyette, EIS Wire Corporation
• Leah McComiskey, daughter of Thomas McComiskey, The MGS Group
• Peter Mentekidis, son of Jim Mentekidis, Fisk Alloy
• Dylan Roussel, son of Michael Roussel, ExxonMobil
• Hazel Tonyali, daughter of Koksal Tonyali, Prysmian Group

2019

• Andrés Aguilar, son of Alberto Aguilar, Carris Reels
• Julia Fritz, daughter of James Fritz, RSCC Wire & Cable
• Cole Hermsen, son of Mark Hermsen, General Cable
• Lily Richards, daughter of Drew Richards, RichardsApex
• Nathan Wright, son of William Wright, International Wire Group

2018

• Zachary Jankowski, son of David Jankowski, Whitney Blake
• Alaina Mello, daughter of Jon Mello, Teknor Apex
• Daniel Reed, grandson of Ron Reed, Lloyd & Bouvier
• Austin Roussel, son of Michael Roussel, ExxonMobil
• Anya Sachdev, daughter of Rahul Sachdev, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corporation

2017

• Nina D'Amato, daughter of Keith D'Amato, Sjogren Industries Inc.
• William Ludemann, son of Joseph Ludemann, Times Microwave Systems
• Rachel Tousignant, granddaughter of David Bartlett, Jr., Champlain Cable Corp.
• Isabella Urbina, daughter of Eugenio Urbina, General Cable Corp.
• Cameron Wright, son of William Wright, International Wire Group, Bare Wire Div.

2016

• Amanda Accorsi, daughter of John Accorsi, T&T Marketing 
• Mary Di Buono, daughter of James Russo, MGS/Hall Industries
• Jackie Stephens, daughter of Elaine Stephens, Times Microwave Systems
• Nicholas Trahan, son of David Trahan, EIS Wire & Cable 
• Maegan Wing, daughter of Susan Wing, Q-S Technologies 

2015

• Joseph Ludemann, son of Joseph Ludemann, Times Microwave
• Matthew Messier, grandson of David Bartlett, Jr., Champlain Cable
• Adam Smith, son of Terry Smith, Elektrisola  
• Beril Tonyali, daughter of Koksal Tonyali, General Cable

2014

• Nolan Karsok, son of William Karsok, W. Gillies Technologies
• Kyla Madden, granddaughter of David Thibodeau, Quirk Wire
• Chiara Marcario, daughter of Ralph Marcario, Chromatics Inc. (Div. of PolyOne);
• Nora Wurmbach, daughter of Rolf Wurmbach, Niehoff Endex North America

2013

• Alexander Cooper, son of Mark Cooper, account manager, PolyOne
• Cameryn Richards, daughter of David Richards, chief operating officer, RichardsApex
• Ana Urbina, daughter of Eugenio Urbina, engineering team leader, General Cable Corporation
• Matthew Walton, grandson of Stewart Walton, president, Sheaves Inc.

2012

• Matthew Fedor, son of Tony Fedor, production manager, cable, Times Microwave Systems
• Aideen Hanlon, daughter of Brian Hanlon, general manager, Hueson Corp.
• Max Karsok, son of William Karsok, production applications engineer, W. Gillies Technology

2011

• Ian Goodney, son of David Goodney, president, WBS Machinery
• Erica Normandin, daughter of Marc Normandin, key accounts manager, 3M
• James Streifel, son of Jim Streifel, vice president of sales, Specialty Cable
• Jaclyn Tules, daughter of Michael Tules, engineer, Prime Materials Recovery, Inc.

2010

• Thomas Canterino, son of Michael Canterino, Remee Products
• Elizabeth Ann Forrest, daughter of Steve Forrest, Whitney Blake Co.
• Bennett Galperin, son of Robert Galperin, Parkway-Kew Corp.
• Marianna Dolce Jordan, daughter of Thomas Jordan, T&T Marketing
• Hillary Reichert, daughter of William Reichert, Champlain Cable Corp.

2009

• Morgan Goodney, daughter of David Goodney, WBS Machinery Inc.
• Kelly Harris, daughter of Wayne Harris, Specialty Cable Corp.
• Timothy Reichert, son of Bill Reichert, Champlain Cable Corp.

2008

• Kyle Forrest, son of Steve Forrest, Whitney Blake Co.
• Jillian Leclerc, daughter of Donna Leclerc, Harbour Industries Inc.

2007

• Nicole Contois, daughter of Deborah Contois, Temp-Flex Cable Co.
• Devin Schlichting, son of Peter Schlichting, Quirk Wire Co.

2006

• Elizabeth Buchanan,daughter of Kevin Buchanan, Fluoropolymer Resources, Inc.
• Kathleen Hennessy, daughter of Joseph Hennessy, Harbour Industries, Inc.
  
  

Southeast Chapter Scholarship Winners  

2023

• Speros Grapsas, son of Constantine Grapsas, AIM Inc. 
• Meredith Hammontree, daughter of Joe Hammontree, Temple Terrace Industries 
• Matthew Tucker, son of Amy Tucker, Sonoco
• Brian (Trung) Vo, son of Loc Vo, Honeywell

2022

• Andres Marcelo Galindo Batocletti, son of Juan Galindo, Southwire Company 
• Penelope Grapsas, daughter of Constantine Grapsas, AIM Inc. 
• Dylan Roulaine, son of Scott Roulaine, Southwire Company 
• Duy (Kevin) Vo, son of Loc Vo, Honeywell

2021

• Lily Bagwell, daughter of Jason Bagwell, High Performance Conductors LLC
• Kelsey Stoughton, daughter of James Stoughton, High Performance Conductors LLC 
• Sydney Peet, daughter of Kristin Peet and Charlie Peet, Harbour Industries 
• Madison Peet, daughter of Kristin Peet and Charlie Peet, Harbour Industries 

2020

• Jasmin Endler, daughter of Dominik Endler, Bekaert
• Niklas Endler, son of Dominik Endler, Bekaert
• John Schultz, son of Robert Schultz, International Wire Group
• Kelsey Stoughton, daughter of Jim Stoughton, IWG High Performance Conductors

2019

• Isavictoria Martinez, daughter of Orlando Martinez, Davis-Standard
• Kelsey Stoughton, daughter of Jim Stoughton, IWG High Performance Conductors
• Julianne White, daughter of Jim White, GFL America
• Thinh Vo, son of Loc Vo, Honeywell FMT

2018

• Jasmin Endler, daughter of Dominik Endler, Bekaert Corp.
• William Roden, son of Mark Roden, SCR Technologies, Southwire 
• Sarah Smith, daughter of Sean Smith, LS Cables and Systems USA 

2017

• Niklas Endler, son of Dominik Endler, Bekaert Corp.
• Elizabeth Hammontree, daughter of Joe Hammontree, Temple Terrace Industries Inc.
• William Roden, son of Mark Roden, SCR Technologies, Southwire 

2016

• Niklas Endler, son of Dominik Endler, Bekaert Corp.
• Landon Smith, grandson of Irv Baston, Technical Development Corp.
• Davis Ryman, son of Wade Ryman, RichardsApex 

2015

• Blake Connell, son of Brian Connell, Carris Reels Inc.
• Elizabeth Hammontree, daughter of Joe Hammontree, Temple Terrance Industries, Inc. 
• Sydney Nuckles, daughter of Kim Nuckles, Southwire Company

2014

• Amy Blew, daughter of Doug Blew, CommScope
• Luan Dang Vo, son of Loc Vo, CommScope

2013

• Matthew and Bryan Kos, sons of Michael Kos, Operations Manager, CNA Technologies LLC
• Emily Robinson, daughter of Cynthia Shontz , director of strategic sourcing, Southwire Company

2012

• William Hammontree, son of Joe Hammontree, vice president, Temple Terrance Industries
• Meghan Kos, daughter of Mike Kos, operations manager, CNA Technologies LLC

2011

• William Hammontree, son of Joe Hammontree, vice president, Temple Terrance Industries
• Rebecca Hutcheson & Melissa Hutcheson, twin daughters of David Hutcheson, plant manager copper rod mill, Southwire Company - Carrollton

2010

• Andrew Mailloux, son of Bob Mailloux, sales manager, J.J. Lowe Associates Inc.
• Eric Vannais, son of the deceased Steve Vannais

2009

• Adrian Duval, daughter of Paul Duval, product manager, Schmolz-Bickenbach
• Meghan Kos, daughter of Mike Kos, managing director, Rosendahl Nextrom (at the time)
• Arianna Kummer, daughter of Randy Kummer, chief development engineer, Southwire Research Division

2008

• Adrian Duval, daughter of Paul Duval, marketing director, Venus Wire Industries Ltd.
• Katie Mailloux, daughter of Robert Mailloux, sales manager, J.J. Lowe Associates Inc.

Wire Link Traveling Scholarship Information and Application Form

The WAI is seeking applicants for the Wire Link Traveling Scholarship, a program that sends a wire professional to Europe where the winner can see how different companies operate as well as to attend the wire Düsseldorf show.
The WAI is looking for ambitious wire professionals who have been employed for at least two years in the wire and cable (or related) industries, including manufacturers and suppliers. The program alternates between a US representative going to the UK and a UK representative going to the US through the program’s co-sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers of England.
The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate who best demonstrates to the judges how the award will help him or her grow professionally, gain a broadened knowledge of the industry and share those benefits with his or her company.
All expenses will be met by the sponsors during the trip to the UK. The only cost on behalf of the employer will be the employee’s time in relation to the overseas stay and travel to and from the departure airport.
Candidates must be: involved in the wire and cable or related industries; employed full-time in the US for at least two years with a US-based company; and a Wire Association International member in good standing at the time of application and travel. 

Official Rules & Regulations:

1. Candidates must be:

• Involved in the wire and cable or related industries.
• Employed full-time in the US for at least two years with a US-based company at the time of travel.
• A Wire Association International member in good standing at the time of application and travel.

2. There are no minimum educational qualifications.

3. A maximum of five finalists will be chosen.  These candidates must be available for an interview during late January and early February.  Reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

4. The winning candidate must be available to attend the Award Presentation at the annual Wire Association International annual meeting in the following spring.

5. The winning candidate must be available to travel to England and Wire Düsseldorf for two weeks that same spring.

6. The winner must be employed by his/her nominating company at the time of travel.

7. The winning candidate must present a full report of his/her visit to the director of the company that recommended him/ her and to the Wire Association International for potential publication in the Wire Journal International.

Essay Submission Requirements:

8. The essay submission must be based on how the candidate can meet the objective of the Scholarship, i.e. how he/she can broaden his/her knowledge of wire and the wire industry for his/her benefit and the benefit of his/her company. Submission of an outline of the candidate’s career aspirations within the wire and cable industry is suggested.

9. The submission must not extend to more than two letter-sized pages.

10. The submission must be typewritten.

11. Candidates must attach a signed letter of recommendation from a director of his/her company.

12. The candidate must complete the online application form and his/her essay submission, as well as the letter of recommendation.

13. All applications and required files will be submitted via our online application system. Please contact Steve Fetteroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

 [button size="small" type="default" link="https://www.wirenet.org/about/wire-foundation"]Link to the Wire Foundation[/button]