Update: April 6, 2015 – According to an individual knowledgeable of the incident where two tower technicians were shocked as their lift came in a contact with a power line on April 1, 2015, the techs did not have to jump to the ground as stated by a Beloit, Wisc. fire official, but were lowered to the ground by the …
NATE unveils epic 20th anniversary commemorative video
As part of the National Association of Tower Erectors’ 20th Anniversary Celebration festivities, the Association has unveiled a commemorative video highlighting NATE’s 20 years in the industry. The video includes exclusive interviews with NATE’s original founding fathers, historical photos of communications structures and breathtaking aerial views of tower technicians working on communications towers. It’s not surprising to find unsafe climbing …
Founding members, exhibitors honored at NATE UNITE 2015
At the National Association of Tower Erectors’ annual convention in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. last week the organization recognized its 20-year founding members and exhibitors during the event’s most successful show which saw a record crowd of almost 1,700 attendees. Pictured at right, NATE Chairwoman Pat Cipov recognizes the trade group’s first single sheet newsletter, being held by Paul Light, …
Sarah Palin’s topics ran from ‘wimps’ to net neutrality at NATE confab
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, …
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: …
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. …
