President's Report

Minnesota Construction Industry Conference . . . The MEA staff talked with MN DLI Commissioner, Ken Peterson, and Deputy Commissioner, Jessica Looman about the upcoming conference. It is a great opportunity to learn the latest about regulations that apply to commercial, highway and heavy, plus residential construction. Plus, commissioners from economic development, transportation, labor and industry, administration, and human rights will be there to give their perspectives on the future of the industry. The MEA team will attend again this year and hope you will join us. For more info, go to www.dli.mn.gov/construction/main.asp

(L-R): Janelle Wells, Clara DeRosier, Judi Rubin, Ken Peterson, Jessica Looman, Erin Murray

Changes at OSHA Consulting . . . Tyrone Taylor has been appointed as Director of Minnesota OSHA’s Workplace Safety Consultation unit. He is replacing Rosalyn Wade who retired in November. You can learn more about him in the Safety Lines at www.dli.mn.gov/OSHA/PDF/90_0116sl.pdf.

He joined Dave Ferkel and Bob Durkee to meet with Bill Strusinski and me to discuss the great working relationship MEA has had with OSHA Consulting. We are pleased that Bob Durkee will continue Andy Smoka’s role in working with us on our AWAIR Program, safety talks, NFPA70e and other programs.





Andy Smoka has retired from OSHA Consulting and we thank him for being a fair, tireless and consistent resource for electrical contractors throughout the state. Andy’s passion for keeping people safe motivated him to accept the position of Safety Director for The Opus Group. He Andy has assured us he will still be available to work with us and other industry groups. Andy helped MEA bring AWAIR training to electrical contractors throughout Minnesota in 1994 and continued to help us launch new safety initiatives. We are grateful that we will continue to have his guidance and support in keep our programs accurate and designed especially for the electrical contracting industry.





Strategic Planning . . . Please respond to the surveys you are receiving. Tom Kopperud, Chair of Strategic Planning, and Tim Zinniel, Chair of the Board, gathered the officers for a two-day meeting to discuss the results of the first surveys and listen to industry experts like Greg Hames, President of Viking Electric, and Doug Seaton, Senior Partner at Seaton, Peters, Revnew and create a draft to present at the next board meeting. They need your input—so return your survey and take this opportunity to tell us what you want and need from your association.

Wishing you a successful 2016 and please call if we can be of service to you.