CAROLINAS ERA brought rep and distributor personnel together in Raleigh to attend the first series of ERA Webinars in “Lunch and Learn” programs. In February, the chapter held its annual Rep-Distributor Forum at which the territory DTAM report for 2007 was released, and the application process opened for the annual Carolinas ERA Scholarship program. In April, the annual Rep-Distributor Bowling Tournament once again benefited the scholarship program.

The new Carolinas officers for 2008-09 are: chairman - Bob Kirkland, Aurora-DHR Marketing; president - John Hurd, CPMR, South Atlantic Component Sales; vice president/finance - Bob Ball, Aurora-DHR Marketing; vice president/membership - Annette Paden, South Atlantic Component Sales; vice president/administration - Mike Harris, E. G. Holmes & Associates; national delegate - Bruce Scoggin, CPMR, Electro-Rep Associates; and directors: Lance Harrington, H I Company; Ken Jacobson, Axis Group/C-Tech Sales; John King, Battleship Technologies; and Dave Winner, CPMR, South Atlantic Component Sales.

CHICAGOLAND ERA has announced its new officers for the 2008-10 term. They are: chairman - Bob Evans, EK Associates; president - Kingsland Coombs, CPMR, Coombs Associates; vice president/fiscal and legal - Marty Linke, Dytec, Inc.; vice president/education - Jim Hartranft, JLH Consulting; vice president/membership - Ron Rutkowski, Control Sales. Additional board members, elected to three-year terms (2008-11) are: national delegate - Rich Hobby, CPMR, RAH Associates; and directors - Jack Devine, L & W Power; Bob Jacobson, Trend-tronics; Tom McGuire, ESA Technical Marketing, and Randy Temple, Action Integrated Resources.

EMPIRE STATE also hosted “Lunch and Learn” programs for area reps and distributors to attend the first six ERA Webinars. The chapter’s annual Rep-Distributor Forum is coming up this spring and will include the presentation of the 2007 DTAM report. On the late spring calendar is the launch of this year’s applications for the Debbie Henry Memorial/Empire State ERA Scholarships.

FLORIDA-SUNSHINE ERA has elected new officers who will begin their two-year terms in June. They are: president - Pat Walsh, CBX Electronics; secretary - Seth Brock, CBC Electronics; treasurer - Chuck Mathias, Mathias Associates; vice president/communications - Allan Johnson, Jr., CPMR, Current Solutions; vice president/membership - Rick Tally, Phoenix Components; national delegate - Chuck Mathias; and alternate - Troy Gunnin, Sun Rep. The chapter’s April program featured sales and leadership consultant Sid Strickland as the speaker, and in June, Paul Dosser of Digi-Key is slated to present his company’s business model.

MINNESOTA ERA invited all member firm personnel to attend the ERA Webinars at no charge at the office of Northport Engineering. The free “Coffee Break” series of programs was hosted by Cary Klingner, CPMR, of Northport and Brad Butler of EI Sales. Coming up in April, the chapter is sponsoring a luncheon program featuring Paul Dosser of Digi-Key as the guest speaker.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ERA members and guests attended a late 2007 program focused on keeping business in their territory. The guest speaker was Mike Ebert of Western Electronics. The chapter also held its annual holiday party at the historic Pittock Mansion in Portland, Ore.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN members have reorganized their chapter, and the group is hosting a series of monthly networking breakfasts throughout 2008 for reps in all industries. In March, the chapter joined MANA to co-host a luncheon program featuring Bryan Shirley, CPMR, the MANA president, as the guest speaker. Newly elected Rocky Mountain officers are: president - Dave Hurlbut, CPMR, of J. F. Hurlbut Company; secretary-treasurer - Bill Sullivan, WesTec; and national delegate - Jim Beam, Component Technology, Inc.

SAN DIEGO members are gearing up for the Del Mar Electronics Show, scheduled April 30-May 1. The chapter is continuing to host monthly luncheon events in several locations through the San Diego area, and, because the group’s 30th reunion was such a successful event, a “re-enactment” of it was held in March.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA reps gathered at their most recent Owners’ Forum to discuss strengthening the structure of their businesses. Coming up in May, the Owners’ Forum topic will be “Make More Money and Have More Time.” Key events on the Southern California spring calendar are two Electrotech tabletop shows, running back-to-back on two days in mid-April in Camarillo and Goleta. More than 40 firms are expected to exhibit. Chapter officers for 2008 are: chairman - Gary Smith, CPMR, G. L. Smith Associates; president - Bill Herold, Conquest Technical Sales; vice president - Ed Reese, Motion Components; and treasurer - Jay Walters, Signal Enterprises. Gary Smith, CPMR, remains the Southern California national delegate.

SOUTHWESTERN ERA is continuing its collaboration with the University of North Texas to help place student interns in member rep firms and recently participated in a university-sponsored job fair in Dallas. The chapter also hosted a winter holiday “office party” for members.

SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS reps are in final preparation for the chapter’s Electronics, Engineering and Manufacturing Show, slated to run April 16 at the St. Charles Convention Center. The event, which is sponsored every 18 months, features a dozen technnical seminars and nearly 100 exhibit booths. Also, already on the St. Louis calendar for September is a luncheon presentation by executives of Digi-Key.

Reminder !
Chapter presidents and newsletter editors: Are you regularly sending your newsletters, fliers, mailings, etc. to The Representor? Please keep ERA and your fellow members informed of your chapter’s activities. Crisp photos are also welcome. For all chapter e-mail communications, please place Tess Hill (thill@era.org) on your address list.