NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association unveiled a commemoration declaring Wednesday, May 6, 2020 as Tower Technician Appreciation Day. For the fourth consecutive year, a day has been set aside by NATE in order to pay tribute to the important work that communications infrastructure technicians conduct on a daily basis to enable a mobile society. “NATE is excited to declare Wednesday, …
NATE reaches an all-time high milestone of 900 members
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today that it has established a new all-time record for member companies, reaching the 900 member mark for the first time in the organization’s 24-year history. Broadcast Construction Solutions, a San Antonio, Texas based company, has the special distinction of becoming the 900th NATE member company. “NATE member companies encompass all layers …
Serious workforce shortage has the wireless industry and FCC pulling together to solve it
Although it’s difficult to assess exactly how many additional trained tower technicians America needs to build out 5G, it’s clear that there is a shortage of skilled workers and Aiken Technical College (ATC) in South Carolina is helping to fill that gap with the nation’s most successful tower and wireless installation training program. After observing the ATC program in Graniteville …
NATE members stand behind President Trump and FCC Chairman Pai in White House to support 5G
A delegation of NATE leaders, consisting of personnel ranging from tower technicians, foremen and company owners, participated in a 5G technology themed event at the White House in Washington, D.C. this afternoon. The NATE members were invited to participate by President Donald Trump, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and key officials at the White House. At the event, President Trump delivered …
NWSA announces 2019’s first Practical Examiner Accreditation workshop in Wisconsin
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is encouraging industry employers, trainers and workers to register for the upcoming Telecommunications Tower Technician Practical Examiner Accreditation Program (PEAP) Workshop scheduled for April 23-25 in Mukwonago, Wisc. The workshop, the first offered by NWSA in 2019, will be hosted by ENSA North America. Registration is available here. NWSA-accredited Practical Examiners are NWSA-certified personnel …
NATE to host inaugural member Congressional Fly-In event in the nation’s Capital
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today announced the key details associated with the inaugural NATE Member Congressional Fly-In Event in Washington, D.C. on May 14-15, 2019. The NATE Member Congressional Fly-In will be a time for representatives from NATE member companies across the country to converge in the Nation’s Capital. to conduct meetings with the congressional delegations and …
NATE’s new Chairman has a vested interest in ensuring that women also succeed in contracting
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) Board of Directors today elected Jimmy Miller of MillerCo, Inc. in Gulfport, Miss. to lead the association as its Chairman. Also elected to leadership roles were Vice-Chairman, John Paul Jones of Tower & Turbine and Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Dougherty, of Millennia Contracting, Inc. Miller has been active in NATE as a voting member for …
Miller, Jones and Dougherty elected to lead NATE’s Board of Directors
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today that Board of Directors’ members Jimmy Miller, John Paul (JP) Jones and Kevin Dougherty were elected to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year. The Association made the announcement on the first day of the NATE UNITE 2019 Conference and Trade Show in Grapevine, Tex. Jimmy Miller, President and …
Schlekeway and Nurnberg sign long-term extensions as NATE moves through 5G and beyond
Todd Schlekeway, Executive Director and Paula Nurnberg, Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), have agreed to multi-year contract extensions that will keep them directing NATE, the nation’s leading grassroots communications infrastructure organization. “The wireless industry is extremely fortunate to have Todd and Paula directing the management of our organization,” said Jim Tracy, NATE Chairman and …
Drouin, Mallon and Young elected to serve on NATE Board for first time, Scott re-elected
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released the official results of the 2019 Board of Directors election with Randy Scott, President of Texoma Contracting, Inc. in Muskogee, Okla. being re-elected, and Victor Drouin, President of Green Mountain Communications, Inc. in Pembroke, N.H.; Chris Mallon, President of Tower MRL, Inc. in Sun Prairie, Wisc.; and Michael Young, Chief Operating Officer at Sioux Falls …
Execs inform the FCC of women’s key roles in wireless infrastructure’s success, opportunities
Women of NATE (WON) representatives recently met with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and FCC Policy Advisor Evan Swartztrauber at the FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC to exchange views on key industry topics. Commissioner Carr visited with members of WON, Andy Lee, Vice President of Operations, Lee Antenna & Line Service, Inc.; Miranda Allen, CEO, Radiofrequency Safety International; Shama Ray, CEO …
Fewer contractors entering wireless construction as requirements increase and profits head south
A Wireless Estimator survey recently completed by 263 wireless infrastructure contractors has provided a wealth of information regarding carrier payment terms and other industry concerns that will be detailed in additional reports next month. However, the first evident troubling or possibly beneficial data unveiled is that new contractors are not entering the business as they did four years ago when …
Tower mods video emphasizes exacting sequences required
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today unveiled a video entitled “Tower Modifications: It’s All About the Sequence” that focuses on the dos and don’ts of performing proper tower modifications. The video was unveiled as part of Volume 3 of the Association’s acclaimed Climber Connection series. The informative video includes an interview with an experienced industry construction manager who …
Split House and Senate bodes well for NATE’s wireless industry lobbying efforts
Wall Street’s bulls were cheering midterm election results yesterday that saw Democrats on Tuesday take control of the House and Republicans hold control of the Senate, delivering a split Congress and prospects for legislative gridlock over the remaining two years of President Trump’s term. Today, enthusiasm was a little subdued and the market remained flat, although the communications sector was …
Climbers’ challenging weather environments highlighted in video
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released a #ClimberConversation video shining a spotlight on the challenging weather-related environments tower technicians are confronted with while working at communication tower sites. The video release is timely as weather patterns are changing dramatically across the United States with the calendar turning to November. The #ClimberConversation volume is a companion series to the …
Fed’s findings could stymie new OSHA tower rule and lead to adoption of A10.48 Standard
An extensive 266-page report from The Small Business Advocacy Review Panel (SBAR) regarding a possible new OSHA standard that would apply to all work activities performed on cell, broadcast and all other communications towers was released this week with 10 key recommendations (below) for OSHA to consider if they’re going to introduce a new industry safety rule. OSHA is required …
NATE announces STAR Initiative participants for 2018-2019 program
STAR Initiative Companies Represent Best-in-Class for Safety and Quality The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2018-2019 year. The NATE STAR Initiative is currently entering its eighth year and is the Association’s signature program designed to help companies operate safely and …
NATE UNITE 2019’s keynote luncheon address will feature Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today that Willie Robertson will deliver the keynote address at the NATE UNITE 2019 Conference in Grapevine, Texas. The event will take place February 4-7, 2019 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. NATE UNITE is widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive education event in the wireless and broadcast …
Maintaining top tower talent, NWSA, and small cells best practices at NATE WIN Florida conference
The NATE Wireless Industry Network (WIN) will be hosting its Southeast Regional Conference on Oct. 29, 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola/Medical Center in Pensacola, Fla. The conference will focus on key industry safety initiatives as well as other educational presentations, and offer tremendous networking and professional development opportunities for attendees, according to WIN Director Scott Krouse. The conference …
Champ and Andrew promoted to key positions at Wireless Infrastructure Association
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has promoted Zac Champ to Vice President of Government Affairs and Don Andrew to Vice President of Spectrum Management, according to WIA President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein. In announced the promotions, Adelstein said, “Zac has led the Government Affairs team for more than five years. He has effectively overseen its expansion to include dedicated Congressional lobbying and state …
