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

Officers 2007:
President – Paul McDermott, Q-S Technologies, Inc.
Vice President – Joe Snee, Amaral Automation Associates
Secretary – Mike Mathiasen, Mathiasen Machinery, Inc.
Treasurer – Marie Geary, C & M Corp

Past President - Lori Parent, Breen Color Concentrates, Inc.

Next scheduled events:

• April 12, 2008 - 3rd Annual Scholarship Application Deadline

The Wire Association International New England Chapter, in conjunction with The Wire Foundation, Inc., is pleased to continue its scholarship program to help chapter members advance the education of their sons and daughters.

Again this year, two graduating high school students will be selected to receive $1,000 scholarships to help defray the costs of their freshman year in college. The scholarship is limited to children or dependents of WAI New England Chapter members in good standing. Should you know an industry colleague who is not a current member and has a child who would otherwise be eligible, please inform them of this opportunity and encourage them to consider WAI membership.

The Scholarship Program is funded through Chapter events and through tax deductible donations from individuals and companies through The Wire Foundation, Inc. If you wish to make a personal or business contribution, please contact Chip Marsh.

• September 11, 2008 - 14th Annual Golf Tournament

Plans are in the works for the Chapter's return to the Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton, Massachusetts for the 14th Annual Golf Tournament. Details are being finalized to continue the tradition of a sold-out event, and a full field of golfers is again expected this year. Sponsorship Opportunities will be offered, and the popular raffle will again be used to help build the Chapter Scholarship Fund.

Recent programs/news:

• January 31, 2008 - 14th WAI New England Chapter Annual Meeting

The WAI New England Chapter returned to the Mohegan Sun Resort Conference Center in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA, for its 14th Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 31, 2008.

The evening kicked off with a networking reception followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner. Attendees were entertained during this time by two strolling magicians sharing their skills of illusion, sleight of hand and prestidigitation!

Outgoing Chapter President Lori Parent, Breen Color Concentrates Inc., reviewed the chapter’s successful year in 2007, 2008 WAI President Ron Reed of Horizon Wire and Cable addressed the association’s activities, and the 2008 Chapter President Paul McDermott along with the officers and directors were introduced. Special thanks to the companies who sponsored the event which drew over 105 attendees.

• October 11, 2007 - Wire New England '07

The reviews are in and Wire New England '07, held at the Boxborough Woods Holiday Inn, was a big success. 44 vendors displayed their products and services at tabletops throughout the day. Five presentations provided attendees the chance to add to their knowledge and skill base, and the event lunch and closing reception provided ample networking opportunities.

The presentations were well received, and are available here for download:

"Overview of Fluoropolymer Foam Technology" - Robert Young, DuPont Fluoropolymers.

"Trends in the Global Copper Market" - John Gross, Scott Brass

"Foamed Communications Cables - Technologies and Trends" - Bill Fajardo, Borealis Compounds

"Attracting and Maintaining a Viable Workforce in Today's Manufacturing Environment" - Meredith Wise and Andrew Maley, Employers Association of the NorthEast

"How Companies Are Entering Asian Markets" - Alex Bryant, East West Associates

• September 13, 2007 - 13th Annual WAI New England Chapter Golf Tournament was a great success at the Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton, Massachusetts, with 153 golfers teeing off in perfect weather. The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Tim O'Farrell, 1998 chapter president and long-time tournament chair. The event's raffle, memorabilia auction and shirt sales generated $2,375 in donations to the WAI New England Chapter Scholarship Fund.

• WAI New England Chapter Scholarship Program - The WAI New England Chapter announced that Nicole Contois, daughter of Deborah Contois of Temp-Flex Cable, Inc., and Devin Schlichting, son of Quirk Wire's Peter Schlichting, are the recipients of the Chapter's 2nd Annual $1,000 scholarship awards.

In related news, the Chapter also announces that contributions made to support the WAI New England Scholarship Fund may now be tax deductible through an agreement reached with The Wire Foundation Board of Trustees. In support of this new opportunity, the Chapter Board designated $2,000 as seed money for the fund, and will continue to use the golf tournament raffle as a means of raising money for and awareness of the scholarship program. For more information, contact WAI's Chip Marsh.

• January 18, 2007 - 13th WAI New England Chapter Annual Meeting was held at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center in Uncasville, Connecticut. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to see industry colleagues while enjoying a buffet dinner, a look back at the successes of 2006 and a look forward at plans for 2007 including the introduction of the 2007 officers and directors.