At its recent Annual Meeting, the Wire Cable Manufacturers Alliance (WCMA) announced the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Career Award that will be honored this March at the 39th Annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony.

The winners are: Bob Allen, engineering manager, James Monroe Wire & Cable; Lenny Argentine, vice president sales & marketing, International Wire; Mike Canterino, vice president engineering, Fluoropolymer Resources; John Gross, publisher, The Copper Journal; Trent Hayes, Engineering Manager, CommScope; Hamid Haophsy, vice president manufacturing, Fisk Alloy Wire; Joe Iamartino, vice president of technology, Marmon Electrical; and David Kiddoo, CEO, IWCS/CCCA.

The Dec. 3 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon saw 120 members and guests meet at the Downtown Hartford Marriott. Keynote Speaker John Traynor, president of Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, shared his thoughts on current economic, political, and manufacturing topics. It was preceded by a Young Professional Panel Session entitled “The Next Generation’s Perspective - How to Succeed in the Wire & Cable Industry.” See p. 54.

WCMA Executive Director Ed Fenton said the organization has continued to do well, allowing it to increased the amount it contributes to more than $21,000 to charity (UCONN Foundation and Toys for Tots) and scholarship programs (WAI, IWCS, and Copper Club) on behalf of the membership. James Monroe Wire & Cable, International Wire, Gem Gravure and Chase Corp. were recognized for their generous donations; Carlie Crawford, director of laboratory services at Marmon Innovation & Technology Group, was presented with the 2024 Young Professionals Award; and Chris Venice, Marmon IEI, was recognized for his services as association president; and Greg Smith, president & CEO of International Wire, was recognized for his service as a Board Director.

The 2025 officers include Shane Berry, Service Wire Co., president; Peter Moran, Marmon IEI, vice president; and. Cheryl Stewart, secretary/treasurer. Ongoing directors include: Alberto Aguilar, president, Carris Reels; Tom Artinian, CEO, TiniFiber; Adam Chase, CEO (retired), Chase Corp.; John Dogazzi, managing director, Sikora International; Sue Welsh, Young Professionals Liaison, president (retired), Rubadue Wire; and new board member, Nate Schilberg, president & CFO of Prime Materials Recovery, Inc.

The 39th annual Awards Dinner and Ceremony will take place on March 29, 2025, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott Hotel. For more information about this event, visit www.wcmainc.org.