Former Governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s keynote speech at NATE UNITE 2015 on Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. provided a folksy and entertaining 36-minute reprieve from industry-related discussions that have highlighted what is being identified as the organization’s largest and most energized conference in the trade group’s 20-year history. As expected, Palin lampooned President Obama …
Oil painting brings in $10,000 for Tower Family Foundation at NATE auction
An original oil painting by award-winning artist Joanne Shellan from Seattle, WA, was auctioned off last night in spirited bidding that topped out at $10,000 at the Tower Family Foundation auction at NATE UNITE 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The painting, entitled “Almost Home,” depicts a silhouetted tower climber descending the last section of a tower as the sun sets …
Doty, Reski honored at NATE’s largest conference in 20 years
The National Association of Tower Erectors today honored Don Doty, Vice President of Operations at Velocitel, Inc. in Cedar Hill, Tex. and Kevin Reski, President of Great Plains Towers in West Fargo, N.D., during the Founding Member Luncheon at NATE UNITE 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The conference, which began yesterday, has topped attendance records for the premiere event …
NWSA is final component for issuance of national training certifications
Although it might be eight to 12 months or more before tower techs or foremen will be able to proudly show their training and skill-set certification card, an announcement today by the leadership of the Wireless Industry Safety Task Force identified that certification in the future will be a reality and will enhance tower safety, reduce workplace risk, improve quality, …
Former Verizon executive Mitrovich named PCIA Vice President
Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association announced that former Verizon executive Marissa Mitrovich will join the association as Vice President of Program Development. In this newly-created role, Mitrovich will lead PCIA’s new business activities and project initiatives, including training and education. “We are so fortunate to land an executive of Marissa’s caliber to direct …
Sarah Palin will certainly not liken climbers to caribou at NATE keynote
When former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks before trade groups she typically tailors part of her presentation to industry-specific concerns, and most likely will touch upon tower climber safety when she talks at the industry’s largest wireless infrastructure conference for contractors and suppliers on Feb. 25, 2015 at NATE UNITE 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. There is also a possibility …
February 13 is the last day to register online for NATE UNITE 2015
Online registration for the National Association of Tower Erectors conference, NATE UNITE 2015, ends tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. But if you can’t register today and suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobics – those afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th – don’t be alarmed, you can register on site for what could very well be the largest attended conference in …
Deadline to assist families of industry workers is January 31, 2015
The Tower Family Foundation announced today that the deadline for Foundation contributions to be designated and promoted as Founding Donor Status donations is a little less than 48 hours away. “The Tower Family Foundation is encouraging all companies and individuals to make a Founding Donor distinguished level donation prior to the Jan. 31, 2015 deadline,” stated Foundation President Jim Tracy from …
NATE issues update on the National Wireless Skills-Based Training Standard
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today provided a progress update on the Wireless Industry Safety Task Force’s National Wireless Skills-Based Training Standard that is currently under development. The Task Force’s Skills-Based Training Subcommittee has completed development of a Skills-Based Training standard that outlines the minimum competencies and skills required for five foundational categories of workers in the industry: …
PCIA chief to sit on TIRAP’s Board and assist with setting job positions /skills
PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor-credentialed Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) to replace board member Jonathan Campbell, PCIA’s former Director of Government Affairs who left PCIA last Friday to take a position with the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. “PCIA has the expertise and resources to …
CTIA castigates Obama for his drive for more government-owned networks
Although President Obama didn’t lock arms with heads of states in France on Sunday in a unity march, today he locked private versus public sector horns with CTIA’s President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker after he said he will ask the Federal Communications Commission to assist in repealing laws in 19 states that prevent local governments from creating municipal internet …
Five years later, SCOTUS settles T-Mobile’s siting dispute with Georgia city
The United States Supreme Court gave a wake-up call to municipalities today as to how government agencies must inform wireless carriers, tower owners and the siting community at large when they reject a tower construction request. In its 6-3 ruling the Justices said that local governments like Roswell, Ga., that is at the center of the case must provide a …
PCIA eyeing every opportunity to expand its niche in wireless safety/training
Update – 1.12. 2015, 12:20 p.m. – Jonathan Campbell, who is listed on TIRAP’s web site as one of or the organization’s executive board members and PCIA’s Director of Government Affairs, left PCIA on Friday to take a position with the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. It is not known if PCIA will be asked to fill his position with another association …
Long-awaited FCC streamlined wireless facilities siting rules finally published
The Federal Communications Commission provided wireless siting professionals with a post-holiday present today: the final rules for acceleration of broadband deployment by improving wireless facilities siting policies. But its ultimate impact upon municipalities and siting professionals may not be known for weeks to come as interested parties scour each word in the 121-page document that has changed some of the FCC’s …
NATE’s Carlson, Miller and Tracy re-elected; Little assumes board seat
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released the official results of the 2015 Board of Directors election. Candidates Kari Carlson, Chief Operating Officer of Tower Systems, Inc. in Watertown, S.D. and Winter Park, Fla; Jim Miller, President of EasTex Tower, Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Jim Tracy, Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Telecommunications, Inc. in Burley, Wash. …
California Wireless Association recognizes key companies and members
The California Wireless Association (Calwa) has announced the recipients of the 2014 Golden State Wireless Awards. The awards acknowledge individuals, companies, and organizations for their efforts and commitment to the wireless industry for the state of California. Receiving the Golden Sponsor Awards were Talley and Crown Castle. Recipients of the Golden State Wireless Award were Joint Venture Silicon Valley and …
