Fall 2019 – Chapter News
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.
ARIZONA
Arizona ERA is sponsoring Tech Storm, a local incubator initiative in collaboration with local design engineering contacts and Arizona State University (ASU), to be held this fall at ICA, a contract manufacturer in Phoenix. The goal of the event is to bring local community engineering resources and ASU entrepreneur individuals together to explore the future of IoT and connectivity development.
Arizona ERA conducted a successful in-plant show at Medtronic in Phoenix with over 100 engineers in attendance. The chapter is planning for additional in-plant shows at General Dynamics and Benchmark/Lark Electronics.
The chapter also is planning a networking luncheon in Phoenix, with a presentation by Lark Engineering, an RF microwave specialty design company, owned and supported by Benchmark Electronics.
Due to the overwhelming positive feedback of the last Sonoran Silicon Valley Tech Show, the Arizona ERA has decided to host another show in the Spring of 2020; details, date and location to be announced.
CAROLINAS
Carolinas ERA is continuing to host its bimonthly networking breakfasts. The chapter also hosted a “Harmony in Partnerships” program in September which explored new paths to improve relationships between distributors and reps. The chapter’s 16th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament Benefiting Carolinas Electronics Representatives (CERA) Scholarship Fund was held in October.
CHICAGOLAND – WISCONSIN
In September, Chicagoland-Wisconsin ERA held a networking event, “A Day at the Races,” at the Arlington Racetrack in Arlington Heights, Ill. The event attracted nearly 50 attendees.
EMPIRE STATE
The chapter hosted its 13th annual Charity Golf Event in August at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, N.Y. The tournament was attended by reps, distributors, customers and community members – all donating time and money to Cancer Research. Rob O’Rourke of NYCOM, Inc. chaired the tournament committee for the second year which increased the donation amount to the American Cancer Society through Hope Lodge in Rochester, N.Y.
FLORIDA-SUNSHINE
Florida-Sunshine ERA organized its first annual golf tournament and charity event at the Tuscawilla Country Club in Winter Springs. The event also celebrated the chapter’s 65 years of service to the electronics industry. The purpose of the charity fundraiser was to establish a foundation that will benefit those in need in the electronics industry. This year’s benefactor was Just Our Soldiers Helpers.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
October 2019 Northern California ERA Women in Leadership chapter event.
Northern California ERA held several networking events in 2019, including educational events that discussed new tax laws and how to maximize LinkedIn features. The chapter also hosted a bocce ball event in Los Gatos, as well as a Women in Leadership event in October. The chapter will round out the year with a tour of the Tech Museum in San Jose and a Christmas party.
The chapter announced its new board beginning Jan 1, 2020. Kenny Kumar of Semisource will serve as President, JoAnn Morgese of Meridian Technical Sales Inc. will serve as Vice President, Larry Flores of Ross Marketing will serve as Treasurer, and Terri Straube of Straube Associates Inc. will serve as Secretary.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California ERA hosted several events including a panel discussion on how best to utilize LinkedIn for reps in July; the 16th Annual Summer Social & Tabletop Show in August, which featured industry distributor member Steve Farley’s Band “Burnt Toast!”; an owner’s forum, “Branding & Website Strategy for Your Organization,” presented by Mark Raymond and Clifford Price.
The chapter is hosting a four-man scramble charity golf tournament at Aliso Viejo Country Club on Nov. 18 benefiting Operation Homefront. The event will feature silent and live auctions, as well as dinner.