Madison, Connecticut, USA – January 2, 2026 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces the appointment of David M. Fisher as the 73rd president of the association for a one-year term that commenced on January 1, 2026. Fisher will chair the Board of Directors of the 96-year-old association, which is headquartered in Madison, Connecticut, USA.
Fisher, a second-generation business owner, is president and CEO of the James Monroe Wire and Cable Corporation (JMWC), Lancaster, Massachusetts, USA, a position he has held since 2005. He has 37 years’ experience in the wire and cable manufacturing industry.
During his early years he worked with his father in the JMWC plant learning the business from the ground up. After studies at The University of Massachusetts Lowell he officially joined the family business in a full-time capacity in 1989, moving from the plant to the office where he gained experience in various roles including sales, purchasing, process engineering, and administrative functions.
An active WAI member since 2008, Fisher joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and the Executive Committee in 2023. He served as the co-chair of WAI’s 2025 Conference Programming Committee; Executive Committee liaison to its Oversight Committee; and a was a former chair of the association’s Finance Committee. He is currently serving his 3rd term on the New England Chapter Board of Directors, for which he was president in 2016. He has been a frequent and generous sponsor of numerous WAI events and chapter functions.
Commenting on this new appointment, Fisher said, “I am excited to be leading the WAI as its next president and look forward to the future. I appreciate this opportunity to work with the Executive Committee and the full slate of board members in 2026. The energy and new horizons we forge together will bring the association to the next level as its members deserve.”
The Wire Association International, Inc. is governed by a network of volunteers from around the globe. Joining Fisher for the 2026 term are members of the association’s 2026 Executive Committee: First Vice President Raúl García Martínez, Viakable; Second Vice President Keith Albers, Fort Wayne Metals Research; Immediate Past President Eric P. Bieberich, Fort Wayne Wire Die; and Executive Committee Member Drew Richards, RichardsApex Inc.
The James Monroe Corporation, established in 1977 by Martin Fisher, is a privately held company involved in the manufacture of insulated wire products for most major commercial, industrial, energy, specialty communications, and military markets that are reached primarily through OEM and distribution. The products manufactured at the 100,000Ft² plant in Lancaster, Massachusetts, include a wide variety of common and custom wire and cable products that meet and exceed industry standards such as UL, CSA, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, ICEA and others.
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with 1600 individual members in 45 countries and Wire Journal International subscribers in 76 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the Interwire Conference & Trade Exhibition and Wire Expo; it publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777, x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777.
WAI News
Madison, Connecticut, USA – January 2, 2026 – The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces the appointment of David M. Fisher as the 73rd president of the association for a one-year term that commenced on January 1, 2026. Fisher will chair the Board of Directors of the 96-year-old association, which is headquartered in Madison, Connecticut, USA.
Fisher, a second-generation business owner, is president and CEO of the James Monroe Wire and Cable Corporation (JMWC), Lancaster, Massachusetts, USA, a position he has held since 2005. He has 37 years’ experience in the wire and cable manufacturing industry.
During his early years he worked with his father in the JMWC plant learning the business from the ground up. After studies at The University of Massachusetts Lowell he officially joined the family business in a full-time capacity in 1989, moving from the plant to the office where he gained experience in various roles including sales, purchasing, process engineering, and administrative functions.
An active WAI member since 2008, Fisher joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and the Executive Committee in 2023. He served as the co-chair of WAI’s 2025 Conference Programming Committee; Executive Committee liaison to its Oversight Committee; and a was a former chair of the association’s Finance Committee. He is currently serving his 3rd term on the New England Chapter Board of Directors, for which he was president in 2016. He has been a frequent and generous sponsor of numerous WAI events and chapter functions.
Commenting on this new appointment, Fisher said, “I am excited to be leading the WAI as its next president and look forward to the future. I appreciate this opportunity to work with the Executive Committee and the full slate of board members in 2026. The energy and new horizons we forge together will bring the association to the next level as its members deserve.”
The Wire Association International, Inc. is governed by a network of volunteers from around the globe. Joining Fisher for the 2026 term are members of the association’s 2026 Executive Committee: First Vice President Raúl García Martínez, Viakable; Second Vice President Keith Albers, Fort Wayne Metals Research; Immediate Past President Eric P. Bieberich, Fort Wayne Wire Die; and Executive Committee Member Drew Richards, RichardsApex Inc.
The James Monroe Corporation, established in 1977 by Martin Fisher, is a privately held company involved in the manufacture of insulated wire products for most major commercial, industrial, energy, specialty communications, and military markets that are reached primarily through OEM and distribution. The products manufactured at the 100,000Ft² plant in Lancaster, Massachusetts, include a wide variety of common and custom wire and cable products that meet and exceed industry standards such as UL, CSA, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, ICEA and others.
WAI, founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with 1600 individual members in 45 countries and Wire Journal International subscribers in 76 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the Interwire Conference & Trade Exhibition and Wire Expo; it publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
Media Contacts: Janice E. Swindells, Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-2777, x. 117; Steven J. Fetteroll, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel.: 001-203-453-1777.
As the depth and range of WAI’s educational program, has expanded, so has the importance of the Education Committee. Below are the members who will help guide the Association in 2026.
The committee is chaired by Matt Miles, Southwire Co. Other members include: Erik Perks (Vice Chair), Prysmian; Brad Andrews, Condat Co.; Donald M. Dodge, Calmont Wire & Cable; Joseph P Domblesky, Marquette University; Jason Giebfried, Paramount Die Co.; Tracy Gooding, Mar-Mac Wire Inc.; C. Richard Gordon, C. Richard Gordon Consulting; Erik A. Macs, Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp; Isaac Muller, American Wire Group; Donald Neville, RichardsApex Europe Ltd.; Brian Parsons, Interstate Wire Co. Inc.; Svet Pavlovsky, Blachford Corp.; Horace Pops, Horace Pops Consulting; Christopher Reeve, Insteel Wire Products; Matthew Reinoehl, SDI La Farga COPPERWORKS; Eric Wagner, Charter Steel; and Bhaskar Yalamanchili, Gerdau Long Steel North America.
The executive committee liaison is Raúl Garcia Martínez, Viakable SA de CV.
From networking opportunities to the overall attendee experience, every detail is being crafted for the launch of Wire Expo 2026, when the reinvigorated biennial event hits the road for its first-ever stop in Wisconsin, the Badger State. It’s also fitting that all this will be presented not just on-site but at WAI’s new website: wirenet.org.
Wire Expo will deliver a high‑impact event uniting the wire and cable industry on May 6‑7, when it takes over Milwaukee’s Baird Center, preceded by WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course being held the day before at the Hyatt, which connects via a skywalk directly to the Baird Center.
Wire Expo will run alongside the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE) to create a unified experience under one roof. Conference sessions and exhibits will share the same timing: Wednesday, May 6, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Thursday, May 7, from
9 am to 3 pm. Day 1 will be capped off with the Opening Reception (6:30–8:30 pm, 4th Floor Ballroom Terrace) featuring refreshments, connections that matter, and a view of the Milwaukee skyline.
The show floor will offer plenty of reasons for attendees to stop by. As of Dec. 23, a hundred companies have already claimed their spot, taking advantage of the exhibitor package that delivers a turnkey, business‑ready setup that includes carpet, electric, wi‑fi and 200 lb of freight. A limited number of exhibit spots are still available and are being filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
The conference sessions have been reimagined with a punchy 20‑minute format on the exhibit‑floor theater. This ensures that attendees can get their fill of diverse technical topics and valuable industry insights without missing floor time. Expect the first wave of confirmed speakers, new product showcases and preliminary agenda details to drop shortly, both here and at www.wirenet.org.
The WAI Member Lounge will serve as a central hub on the exhibit floor, featuring a dedicated resource and learning center where members can connect, recharge and regroup between sessions. New sponsorship tiers offer companies more ways to stand out, and advertising opportunities are available through the Wire Expo sales team.
Registration is now live at my.wirenet.org/events/upcoming-events.
But wait, there’s more: Milwaukee offers an impressive array of attractions. Attendees are encouraged to turn this business trip into a memorable experience and extend their stays—visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, catch a Brewers game on Friday against the New York Yankees, or explore the scenic Riverwalk, world‑class breweries and vibrant lakefront dining.
In 2025, the Midwest, New England, Southeast and Ohio Valley chapters awarded 13 scholarships that had a combined total of $26,100.
This year, the New England Chapter will offer five scholarships at $2,500 each, plus one intern scholarship at $2,500; the Southeast Chapter will offer three scholarships at $2,400 each; the Midwest Chapter will offer three scholarships; and the Ohio Valley Chapter will offer two scholarships at $1,500 each.
WAI chapter members in good standing will be able to submit applications for 2026. The chapter scholarship programs are educational opportunities for academically qualified high school seniors who are children, grandchildren or dependents of WAI members in good standing. The sponsor must be a chapter member.
The deadline for applications is March 31. Questions can be e-mailed to WAI Program Manager Vanessa Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The WAI New England Chapter will return to the Cabaret Theatre at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, for its annual meeting.
Registration is open for the regional networking event, which also serves as a fundraiser for the WAI New England Chapter Scholarship Fund. Highlights will include the dinner, the introduction of the officers for 2026, a raffle, photo booth and a look back at 2025, which likely will go down as a good one.
The New England Chapter returned to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut, for its 31st annual golf outing on what proved to be an utterly gorgeous day for the 143 golfers. The event was won by the Lloyd & Bouvier team of Michael Tucker, Darren Tucker, Joe Yabba and Gibson Yabba that shot a very respectable score of 15 under par.
A healthy donation from the golf event went to the chapter’s scholarship program. The chapter also announced the six 2025 winners of its scholarship program. Those included: Jack Bienvenue, stepson of Walter Parsell, facility engineering manager at Prysmian; John Hartline, son of Christopher Hartline, vice president of operations at RichardsApex; Luke McComiskey, son of Thomas McComiskey, vice president at The MGS Group; Erin Mulligan, daughter of Alan Mulligan, sales representative at Vandor Corporation; Michael Russo, son of James Russo, electrical engineer at MGS Manufacturing; and Ryan Delage, recipient of the Intern Scholarship sponsored by Gary Collette and Michael Renner of Sjogren Industries Inc. Each scholarship was valued at $2,500.
The meeting will also feature a very smart guest speaker. Dr. John Sviokla is a globally recognized authority on AI and digital transformation. An Executive Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where he earned his doctorate and MBA, he generated some of the earliest thought-leadership on the coming world of AI and digital competition. He has since guided senior executives through the full lifecycle of technology-led change. At the meeting, he will explain why every organization must move from human centric to a hybrid of human and AI intelligence and how to do it.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. These can be purchased during event registration. Registration costs $160 for non-members and $135 for WAI New England Chapter members in good standing.
To register, visit www.wirenet.org. For questions or assistance with registration for the event, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
In 2025, the Midwest, New England, Southeast and Ohio Valley Chapters awarded 13 scholarships that had a combined total of $26,100.
WAI chapter members in good standing will be able to submit applications for 2026. The chapter scholarship programs are educational opportunities for academically qualified high school seniors who are children, grandchildren or dependents of WAI members in good standing. The sponsor must be a chapter member.
The deadline for applications is March 31. Further details about award amounts and how to apply will be in the January issue. Questions can be e-mailed to WAI Program Manager Vanessa Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The WAI New England Chapter will return to the Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, for its annual meeting.
Registration is open for the regional networking event, which also serves as a fundraiser for the WAI New England Chapter Scholarship Fund. Highlights of the event will include the dinner, the introduction of the officers for 2026, a raffle, photo booth and a look back at 2025, which likely will go down as a good one.
The New England Chapter returned to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut, for its 31st annual golf outing on what proved to be an utterly gorgeous day for the 143 golfers. The event was won by the Lloyd & Bouvier team of Michael Tucker, Darren Tucker, Joe Yabba and Gibson Yabba that shot a very respectable score of 15 under par.
A healthy donation from the golf event went to the chapter’s scholarship program. The chapter also announced the six 2025 winners of its scholarship program. Those included: Jack Bienvenue, stepson of Walter Parsell, facility engineering manager, Prysmian; John Hartline, son of Christopher Hartline, vice president of operations, RichardsApex; Luke McComiskey, son of Thomas McComiskey, vice president, The MGS Group; Erin Mulligan, daughter of Alan Mulligan, sales representative, Vandor Corporation; Michael Russo, son of James Russo, electrical engineer, MGS Manufacturing; and Ryan Delage, the recipient of the Intern Scholarship, sponsored by Gary Collette and Michael Renner of Sjogren Industries Inc. Each scholarship was for $2,500.
The meeting will also feature a very smart guest speaker. Dr. John Sviokla is a globally recognized authority on AI and digital transformation. An Executive Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where he earned his doctorate and MBA, he generated some of the earliest thought-leadership on the coming world of AI and digital competition. He has since guided senior executives through the full lifecycle of technology-led change. At the meeting, he will explain why every organization must move from human centric to a hybrid of human and AI intelligence and how to do it.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. These can be purchased during event registration. Registration costs $160 for non-members and $135 for WAI New England Chapter members in good standing.
To register, visit www.wirenet.org. For questions or assistance with registration for the event, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
With six months to go, the Wire Association International is focused on making sure that key elements of the biennial event will match high expectations.
The May 6-7 Wire Expo schedule in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is designed for maximum cross-attendance with co-located Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE) at the Baird Center. The two events were previously co-located in 2010 at the venue now known as the Baird Center. The reunion comes at a time of industry growth and technological advancement, positioning the combined event as a catalyst for discovery and collaboration.
The EWPTE trade show attracts nearly 200 exhibitors and over 3,000 attendees from more than 40 states and 25 countries for the electrical wire harness, wire, and cable processing industries. The WHMA exclusively represents the cable and wire harness manufacturing industry
Conference sessions for Wire Expo have been updated to a 20-minute format to accommodate a dynamic lineup of relevant topics, along with a soon-to-be-announced keynote speaker. The Education program development is well underway. The first wave of confirmed speakers, new product showcases, and preliminary agenda details will be announced soon. Further details, such as registration, housing blocks and attendee matchmaking opportunities, will be posted online at www.wirenet.org and in future WJI issues.
Show hours for Wire Expo will be 9 am to 5 pm on Day 1 and 9 am to 3 pm on Day 2. The WAI’s iconic Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course will be presented on May 5.
Attendees will be pleased to see that both the conference and exhibits will take place directly on the show floor in Halls C and D. That will make for a seamless environment for learning, product discovery and networking. The Opening Reception will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the 4th Floor Ballroom.
More than 100 companies have already confirmed to exhibit, supported by a competitive package priced at $3,450 that offers an efficient, business-ready setup. The package includes: pipe-and-drape back wall (8 ft) and side wall (3 ft); skirted 6 ft table with two chairs; a trash receptacle; a company ID sign; 120 V electric hookup; 200 lb freight service in and out of facility; and carpet. Event-related advertising is available in WJI and the Show Program. Sponsorships are also in development.
For more details on these opportunities, contact Director of Sales Shannon Timme at tel: 203-453-2777, ext. 126, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Director of International Sales and Business Development Anna Bzowski at tel: 203-453-2777, ext.119, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Wire Association International’s Education Center has reached another important milestone with the release of the full packaged extrusion course, now available as a complete learning path for operators.
WAI Manager of Education John Markowski said that the new offering bundles all four parts of the extrusion curriculum (single layer extrusion overview, extrusion materials, extrusion applications, and special process considerations) into one comprehensive program designed to support skill-building of foundational knowledge. Each course will be available for separate purchase, enabling participants to also just focus on a specific area that matters most to their role.
To highlight the launch of the bundle, the Association recently hosted an “Extrusion Exploration” webinar, led by subject matter expert Richard Chamberlain, who guided the curriculum development. Attendance and engagement reflected growing interest in structured, accessible training for extrusion professionals.
“We’re beginning to see momentum build as more individuals and companies explore the platform,” said Markowski. “As we move into 2026, we’re looking forward to increased participation from learners and a steady rollout of new courses that will continue expanding the Education Center’s value to the industry.”
WAI encourages participation from members of the wire and cable community. Individuals and companies are invited to get involved as well, by presenting at conferences, submitting technical papers, leading webinars, contributing as subject matter experts, or serving on committees such as the Education Committee or the Paper Awards Committee. These opportunities offer valuable ways for professionals to stay current on industry trends while strengthening industry connections.
The Southeast Chapter (SEC) golf tournament returned Oct. 16 to the Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, North Carolina, for a beautiful day of golf. The event attracted a total of 115 golfers, who enjoyed the sunny, 70-degree weather, easily topping the 2024 field of 96 players.
The tournament at the par 71 Tom Jackson Course was very competitive, with ties for both 1st and 2nd place (14 under par) and 3rd and 4th place (13 under par). Tiebreakers determined that the winners were the team (pictured below right) of Steve Zande of Service Thread and Paul McConnell, Robert Kidd and Patrick Noble, all of CommScope.
In second place was Darin Nicol and John Downey of Fort Wayne Wire Die with Marc Finch and Harrison Cummings of IWG-HPC. Third place went to Craig Shell and Steve Pinnix of M. Holland Company, with Alex Magid of Westlake and Scott Tucker of CommScope. A shoutout has to go to the fourth place team of Dan Shelander and Joe Phipps of Windak, Eric Yount of CommScope and Paul Douwes of Advaris.
Players commented that the course was a fun challenge. The event kicked off at 11am. Players enjoyed the lunch sponsored by Carris Reels, then took to the driving range for the putting contest sponsored by Process Control Corp., Sonoco and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. It was won by Mark MacKimm of Rainbow Rubber and Plastics.
Other skill contest winners included the most accurate drive, sponsored by Sikora, won by Daniel Johnson of Advanced Technology Services, and closest to the pin, sponsored by Sonoco and JoeTools, Inc., which was won by Rocky Colapietro of CommScope and Pat Curtsinger, retired.
Hole sponsors for the event included Carris Reels, Gateway Recovery, Inc., Gem Gravure, Gene Brown Extrusion Techniques, GEON Performance Solutions, L-S Industries, Inc., Magnum Mfg. LLC, M. Holland Company, SDI LaFarga COPPERWORKS, Sikora, Sonoco, Teknikor, Windak Inc., and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. Snacks and beverages on course were sponsored by Rainbow Rubber & Plastics and Teknikor. The $10,000 Hole-in-One was sponsored by JoeTools, Inc.
Following the tournament was a dinner and reception sponsored by GEON Performance Solutions and Wire and Plastic Machinery Corp. Participants enjoyed a southern barbecue dinner as Southeast Chapter President John Dognazzi announced the raffle winners. Players walked away with golf putters and gift cards, but the big-ticket item of the evening was an all-inclusive resort getaway sponsored by Wyndham Resorts. Participants cheered and clamored for this prize, but the lucky winner was Frank Wilkins of AFL Global.
Dognazzi said the event was possible due to the passionate volunteers and board members who come together each year to organize this tournament. “We really needed a big year like this. Covid hurt (our numbers) for a bit, but we’ve made a strong comeback.”
Dognazzi also declared that a special “thank you” was due to SEC Treasurer Brooke Stonesifer of Sonoco, who is resigning from the chapter board after over a decade of service.
WAI’s Paper Awards Committee will once again be rating presentations, and to that end it is seeking veteran volunteers to assess those made at 2025 events.
The committee will evaluate technical papers submitted from this year’s Interwire Conference Program, the Global Continuous Casting Forum and the Wire & Cable Kraków International Technical Conference. Serving on the committee gives members the opportunity to review new research, contribute to WAI’s educational mission, and connect with technical experts from around the world. It also is a way to give back to the industry.
WAI invites members interested in participating to join the committee and help recognize excellence in the wire and cable industry. For more details on what is entailed, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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