News Newsletter January 2009 Community News
Community News
Sympathy
Condolences to the Gieseke family...Larry Gieseke, 60, of Kandiyohi and owner of Fuller Electric Service of Willmar, a long-time former member of MEA passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2008.
Condolences to the Gappa family...Mary Gappa died Monday, August 25, 2008, at the Madelia Community Hospital. She married Earl Gappa on June 23, 1946, in Algona, Iowa. She was a homemaker and also worked as a bookkeeper for Gappa Electric until retiring in 1990. Her husband, Earl Gappa, started Gappa Electric in Madelia, MN, now run by Joel Gappa. The company has been a member of MEA since 1963.
Condolences to the Bavolak family...It was with great sadness to learn that Terri Bavolak lost her battle with cancer last Friday. Many of us got to know Terri through her husband's, George Bavolak, involvement as MEA Chair of the Board, Committee Chair and member of MEA. None of us who went to Fair Hills for our Summer Conferences will ever forget the fun of seeing Terri and George zip back and forth keeping track of their oldest child, Tyler, who was a very active toddler at that time. They went on to have a daughter, Kayla, and another son, Jayden, who is now age 7. Terri lived 5 years after getting breast cancer-much longer than expected. She was a woman of great courage and heart.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Dan Davidson (Border States), newly named Utility Sales Manager for Northwest and Northeast Regions...Davidson has been with BSE for more than 30 years. He has served in a number of positions at different branch locations, most recently in the role of Area Manager in the Fargo branch. Davidson will work closely with the utility sales team to provide direction and leadership for the utility market in the two regions. The company's Northeast Region consists of 16 branch locations in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and the Northwest Region has 11 branch locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.
Congratulations and Happy 60th Birthday to Doug Kahler...of Kahler Electric, Fairmont. Doug has been a member of MEA since 1950!
Happy Birthday Doug!
Moves and New Locations
Cold Spring Electric Services...is pleased to announce that the majority ownership will be transferred from Stephen Muggli to Duane Koepp effective January 1, 2009. The employees will maintain their 45% ownership. Stephen Muggli founded Cold Spring Electric Services in 1970 and will remain with the company. Duane Koepp has been in the electrical industry since 1975 and had been employed with Design Electric as a project manager/estimator. Duane is also active in the community, serving on the St. Cloud Technical College advisory board and coaching mini-mites hockey. No other changes will occur and the staff of Cold Spring Electric will continue to provide electrical services to the central Minnesota area.
Graybar Opens in Hibbing...Graybar, St. Louis, announced the opening of a 5,400-square-foot distribution facility in Hibbing, Minnesota. Source: Electrical Marketing Update. Dec 5, 2008.
New at Werner...The rollout of their new and improved website. Along with a fresh updated look, WENet, the online ordering tool and current information on promotions and events, the Website also provides an E-learning center, including webinars along with other training and tools customers can utilize in their day to day business. Another resource Werner provides to better serve their customers. You can reach Werner at 7450 95th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 (800) 769-3701 or www.wernermn.com.
Katolight...On September 4, 2008, Katolight, a Mankato-based company for over 50 years, officially became part of a new international Tognum power brand: MTU Onsite Energy.
- New brand uniquely positioned to meet the growing need for decentralized power generation in North America
- Product portfolio comprises systems based on diesel engines, gas engines, fuel cells and gas turbines
- Ability to meet customer demands for decentralized power generation anywhere and anytime
Mankato is now the North American production site for MTU Onsite Energy. The new strong brand is based on the same values as the MTU sister brand: Leadership both in innovative strength and technology, as well as providing dedicated customer support and commitment by way of tailored system solutions.
Katolight joins the other Tognum subsidiaries and divisions - CFC Solutions, MDE and MTU Power Generation - under the MTU Onsite Energy umbrella. With the combined expertise of these power generation leaders consolidated under one brand, MTU Onsite Energy is uniquely positioned to offer decentralized power generation solutions through a broad range of products to customers throughout North America.
Border States Electric Announces Acquisition of Harris Electric Supply Company...Border States Electric (BSE) has reached an agreement to purchase Harris Electric Supply Company with locations in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. Harris Electric Supply Company provides electrical distribution, power monitoring and power quality, lighting, data communication, control and automation solutions to the residential, industrial/original equipment manufacturer (OEM), commercial construction, data communications, and utility markets.
Harris Electric Supply Company was founded in 1945, and today, there are 120 employees serving more than 1,900 customers. The Harris Electric Supply Company name will not change except to include "A Division of Border States."
Education & Meetings
MEA's New Connections Series:
- Prevailing Wage
February 19 (11:00AM-1:00PM)
Speaker: Attorney Doug Seaton of Seaton, Beck and Peters
Location: Webinar format - Collections Panel
March 5 (11:00AM-1:00PM)
Speaker: I.C. Systems collection attorney
Location: TBD - Great River Energy Tour
March 19 (time: TBD)
Location: Maple Grove - AWAIR Programs--Drafting to Meet Your Safety Need
April 2 (11:00AM-1:00PM)
Speaker: MN OSHA
Location: TBD - Roundtable with Local Inspectors
June 10-14 (time: TBD)
Location: Riverwood Resort, Monticello
