Summer 2021 – News Beat

2022 ERA CONFERENCE THEME ANNOUNCED

The ERA Conference Committee announced that it has selected the theme “A New Day, A New Way” for the 2022 ERA Conference scheduled Feb. 27 – March 1 in Austin, Texas. As the conference returns to its in-person format, the planning committee chose a theme that reflects the industry’s excitement to reunite and reconnect in 2022 while embracing the need to transform and identify new ways of doing business to stay relevant and successful.

This do-not-miss event provides an unparalleled opportunity to bring together manufacturers’ representatives, distributors and manufacturers in a collaborative and energetic environment, and offers everyone a truly unique opportunity to learn, connect and grow.

Early registration and sponsorship opportunities for the 2022 ERA Conference are now open. Conference supporters can choose from various sponsorship opportunities, most of which include one or more complimentary registrations for the event.

Visit era.org/era-events/era-conference for more information, to view sponsorship levels and register online.

ERA INTRODUCES A NEW VIRTUAL SALES TRAINING EVENT IN SEPTEMBER 2021

ERA introduced its first Virtual Sales Training event, “Sharpen Your Selling Skills,” scheduled Sept. 21 – 23, 2021. The program will offer nine 75-minute sales training modules and is open to everyone. Attendees can expect a unique blend of tactically-focused sessions that will provide useful takeaways, best practices and key tools aimed toward honing skills for success at sales in today’s ever-changing market. All sessions will provide attendees with downloadable checklists and materials that will allow them to implement what they have learned and help them excel at their jobs.

Visit era.org/era-events/era-virtual-sales-training-general-information for more information about this online sales training event, to view session topics or to register.

ERA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR AMA OMARI DERRINGER

ERA announces that Ama Omari Derringer has joined its team as Membership Services Coordinator. In this role, Derringer will serve as the liaison between the association and its members, focusing on recruitment, retention and engagement efforts, and assisting on a variety of administrative tasks. Derringer has worked in the public education sector and has more than 25 years of experience working with faculty, administrators, superintendents and university presidents.

The daughter of a United Nations diplomat, Derringer was raised primarily in Africa. She has also lived in England, France and the U.S. on the East Coast, in the Midwest, and currently resides in the South Bay San Diego area. Derringer can be reached at aderringer@era.org.

ALLAN STITZER & GEORGE ALECCI, CPMR, AWARDED ERA’S LIFE MEMBERSHIP

ERA announced that Allan Stitzer of Stitzer Company Inc. and VP of Finance of the Mid-Lantic Chapter of ERA, and George Alecci, CPMR, of Straube-Halco Inc. and member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of ERA, are the recipients of a Life Membership. Life Members are individuals who have been employed by or associated with one or more firms as members in good standing of the association during a 20-year period. To view a full list of ERA’s Life Members, visit era.org/#eralifemembers.

TUNE IN TO ERA TALKS

ERA’s podcast series, ERA Talks, continues to feature timely, informative and educational interviews with industry leaders. Recent episodes include interviews with special guests John Drabik, Senior Vice President Sales and Product Marketing – Americas at TTI, and Phil Gallagher, CEO of Avnet.

All ERA Talks episodes are available on-demand on the ERA website at era.org/era-media-center/era-talks-podcast and on various key podcast networks, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and our newest channel on iHeart Radio.

ERA MOURNS JERRY BEAN

It is with great sadness that ERA must report the passing on June 1, 2021, of Jerome “Jerry” Benjamin Bean. He was 77.

Highly respected in the electronics industry, Bean joined R.O. Whitesell & Associates in July 1973, first working in its Kokomo, Indiana, office, later in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Farmington Hills, Michigan, and eventually moved to Indianapolis where he succeeded Max Hinkle as president. He retired in 2013.

Bean was a long-time supporter of ERA and R.O. Whitesell and Associates has been an ERA member since 1952.