Fall 2016 Chapter News

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Chapter News reports the local activities of the 22 chapters of ERA.

The chapters sponsor educational and training workshops, local trade shows, legislative and industry projects to enhance the professionalism of individual members and to advance the goals and mission of the national association.

CAROLINAS
The Carolinas Chapter is continuing its monthly networking breakfasts throughout the fall.

The chapter also held a program on Aug. 22 titled, “What makes North Carolina the place to do business in the electronics technology sector?” The guest speaker was Brooks Raiford, executive director of the North Carolina Technology Association.

The CERA 13th Annual Dick Paden Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Oct. 10 at Wildwood Green in Raleigh, N.C.

CHICAGOLAND – WISCONSIN
The Chicagoland-Wisconsin Chapter had a ball during its rooftop event for the Cubs vs. Brewers game on Aug. 18.

A round table discussion was held on Sept. 30 about “The Evolving Customer, Rep and Distributor Relationship.” Guest speakers for the event were Bob Finnecy, general manager at Hughes-Peters; Mike Emme, field sales manager at Arrow Electronics; and Mike Lawson, branch manager at Allied Electronics.

The chapter also held a surprise dinner on Sept. 14, thanking Tess Hill for her many years of chapter service.

The chapter continues to update the Chapter Forum Web page, which offers members and industry professionals a place to share articles of interest.

DIXIE
On Aug. 26, the chapter held its first networking breakfast in Huntsville, Ala. It was a very successful event, hosted at the Blue Plate cafe, with 14 attendees.

EMPIRE STATE
The Empire State Chapter hosted its annual Charity Golf and Scholarship Fundraiser at the Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, N.Y., on Aug. 8. For more than 10 years, Empire has facilitated this event to service the electronics industry and greater community that the members live and work in. More than 70 golfers attended.

This year, a scholarship was awarded to an incoming freshman at the University of Akron who is pursuing a nursing degree. The scholarship recipient is the daughter of one of the distribution DTAM participants.

Empire also used registration and sponsorship fees to fund a donation to Coaches vs. Cancer in memory of those affected by cancer, including past Empire State Treasurer Debbie Henry, for whom the tournament is named. Special thanks to all those who donated and volunteered to make this major chapter event successful.

METRO NEW YORK
The ERA Metro New York Chapter held its first charity golf outing on June 20 at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in East Setauket, N.Y. The event brought together close to 100 attendees, including reps, principals, distributors, CMs and local OEMs, to help raise money for Long Island Cares – Veterans Services. The event also offered an opportunity to attract additional prospective rep and distributor members, as well as to provide a venue for meaningful industry interchange.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
The chapter hosted a bocce ball networking event on Aug. 9. An education class was held on Sept. 15 as well. The annual meeting will be held on Nov. 9.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER
The 2016 SMTA Oregon and ERA Golf Tournament was held on Sept. 17. The event took place at the Chehalem Glenn Golf Course.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN
A networking lunch event with ERA CEO Walter Tobin was held on Oct. 4 in the Denver Tech Center area.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The ElectroTech OEM Electronics Show was held on Sept. 14 in Goleta/Santa Barbara, Calif. The show for Santa Clarita/Valencia was held on Sept. 15.

The chapter also held its 4th Annual ERA SoCal Charity Golf Tournament on Aug. 8 at the Aliso Viejo Country Club.

SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
Spirit of St. Louis had a chapter meeting on Sept. 12. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7.