WCMA Annual Luncheon and Distinguished Career Award Event

The Wire & Cable Manufacturers’ Alliance, Inc. (WCMA) brought together 120 members and guests for its annual luncheon and membership meeting on Dec. 1, 2022, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott in Hartford, Connecticut. During the event, attendees heard a timely economic outlook, learned about new leadership roles and programs, and celebrated record charitable and scholarship donations.

In addition, John S. Traynor, Executive Vice President at Cambridge Trust, shared insights on current economic, political, and manufacturing trends. He also highlighted the labor market and explained how workforce conditions affect companies across the wire and cable industry.

Learn more about WCMA events and membership at WCMA.

WCMA Annual Luncheon and Distinguished Career Award Leadership Updates

Members confirmed the 2023 WCMA officers. David Fisher of James Monroe Wire & Cable will serve as President. Chris Venice of Marmon Electrical steps in as Vice President, and Tom Artinian of Hitachi Cable (Proterial) continues as Secretary/Treasurer. Meanwhile, Sue Welsh, now retired, remains involved as Past President.

WCMA also strengthened its board by adding John Dognazzi, Managing Director North America at Sikora, as a new board member. This appointment further broadens leadership representation from key segments of the wire and cable supply chain.

WCMA Annual Luncheon and Distinguished Career Award Support Young Professionals

The luncheon also highlighted the WCMA Young Professionals group, which supports emerging talent. WCMA named Charles Glew, President of Cable Components Group, as the group’s first chairman. Young Professionals held a networking session during the event to connect early‑career participants with experienced industry leaders.

Glew will guide initiatives that promote mentoring and education for professionals 40 and under. The steering committee includes Trish Weisberg of Service Wire, Grant Campbell of Multi/Cable, and Paul Gemelli of Gem Gravure. Together, they plan programs that foster career growth, peer networking, and industry knowledge sharing.

WCMA Annual Luncheon and Distinguished Career Award Recognize Record Giving

WCMA reported record charitable results for 2022. Thanks to support at the Awards Dinner, Golf Outing, and Annual Meeting, the organization will donate $20,700 to a range of causes. The contributions include:

• $9,200 to Toys for Tots

• $5,000 to UCONN Cancer Research

• $3,000 to the WCMA scholarship program

• Remaining funds to breast cancer research, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, an Army veterans organization, and a hospice program

During the luncheon, Sue Welsh and Executive Director Ed Fenton introduced Amber Schilberg, who now supports WCMA’s marketing and administrative duties. Fenton also shared that WCMA welcomed six new members, bringing paid membership to 115.

WCMA Annual Luncheon and Distinguished Career Award Honorees for 2023

WCMA used the annual luncheon to announce its 2023 Distinguished Career Award recipients. The organization will honor these wire and cable professionals on April 22, 2023, at the 37th Annual Awards Dinner, again at the Downtown Hartford Marriott. Honorees include:

• William “WT” Bigbee, Vice President Operations, Encore Wire

• Rich Carr, CEO, Sequel Wire & Cable

• Denise Coyle, Sales Manager, Fluoropolymer Resources, Ltd.

• Scott Harden, President, Provideon Wire & Cable

• Drew Richards, CEO, RichardsApex

• John Rivers, Regional Sales Manager, Fluorgistx

• Greg Smith, President/CEO, International Wire Group

• Ronald Tessier, Senior Director Operations, Berk‑Tek Leviton

For more information or to register for the WCMA annual luncheon and Distinguished Career Award dinner, contact Executive Director Ed Fenton at 860‑331‑7074, email ed@wcmainc.org, or visit www.wcmainc.org.

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Author: WJI staff and wire services