Page 9 - IEC Insights Sept-Oct19

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Our Convention: Ideas,

Products, People, Challenges

By Gary Golka

Welcome! It is a pleasure to join you at big winners. They can change attitudes,
the main event for IEC in 2019. If you are minds and cultures. They can change
a repeat attendee, welcome back! If you the way your crews think about work!
are from St. Louis and the surrounding
areas, thank you for taking time from Immerse yourself in the Expo. Try to visit
your work week to attend. And if you are every booth; I do. We have a wealth of
a new attendee or haven’t been here for industry partners that want to see you
several years, I think you will be pleasantly become a huge success and get there
surprised at what is available to you. If by using their products and expertise. I
you are a like me, you have spent some have found successful things that made
extra time preparing things at work for a difference to my company in the the industry. Ideas are what the future is
your absence. Of, course, when you get smallest booth at the back corner. The built on. There are ideas here, at our IEC
back, those preparations will have been exhibitor who is here for the first time Convention, that will not occur to you
only marginally effective, and you will often has something quite different to on your own, that are truly novel, that
be behind the curve, trying to fix things offer, too. And for example, being able can make a difference to you and yours
that shouldn’t have happened and solve to talk to the man with all the patents if you listen, if you see, if you engage,
problems you didn’t have when you left from Ideal, or the Code guru from Eaton if you converse, if you buy that person
your office, all prepared, in peace and is a worthwhile experience as well! And a drink, if you only figure out a way to
tranquility. But really, isn’t that why you what isn’t there to like about a visit to make it work for you when you get back.
came here? To find a product, an idea, one of our tool partners like Milwaukee?
a bit of advice or a story, a few pearls It is like going to a candy store! I come here to acquire a new idea, a new
of wisdom? So that when you use the product, or a new friend. I am sure that
product, or implement the idea, that Attend an education session every chance the opportunity for you to do the same
next time you leave your office, there you get. Don’t trust the little blurb telling is here at this convention. Make that
will be fewer problems, less catch-up. you what it is about. Go with an open acquisition, have fun, and make something
mind because you never know if what is work for you when you get back home,
I love coming to this event for that reason. talked about will turn into an idea that please. And then let us know what worked
I find out if our company has improved works for you. One of my favorites is the for you, so we can let everyone else know
since last year. I get a chance to talk to Great Idea Swap with Mike Kallmeyer, your story. Because that is how IEC works
people that are smarter, wiser, richer, make sure you attend, but be sure you best; for you, for me, for everyone in IEC.
faster, better organized, more experienced have one of your own ideas to share!
and better looking than I will ever be.
And they are willing to discuss my issues Attend a committee meeting that Gary is the President of Golka Electric, Inc.,
and give me opinions. And, whatever does the organizational work of our a family-owned electrical contracting firm
knowledge, nugget or gem I take away Association. There are decisions being located in Mesa, Arizona. Gary has twice
from my time here, I know I will face the made in these rooms that will become served as President of IECA of Arizona. As
challenge of implementing it when I get policies that guide and influence the an advocate for electrical education and
home. The trip is always worth more when electrical industry, especially our training, Gary has served as a Director
those great ideas don’t just fall to the part of the merit shop sector. of the Mountain Southwest Region, and
wayside. But the ideas that you do adopt, as a member and Chairman of the IEC
the ones that you apply, the products you Truly empower your future; your future National A&T Committee. He was elected
insist the field guys try out, those can be in your job, your future in your company, to the IEC National Executive Committee
your future in your market, your future in in 2016 and now serves as President.

www.ieci.org | September/October 2019 | Insights Magazine 7