Snyder steps down as tower standard's chief, Reese selected to be at helm of TIA group
December 5, 2006 -- Following his successful shepherding of the nation's newest  revision of its antenna and tower standard, Craig Snyder has stepped down as Chairman of the TIA TR14.7 Committee, a position he has held since 1998.

Snyder, formerly chairman of the National Association of Tower Erectors, was the first non-engineer to chair this committee since its formation in 1959.

"Being a non-engineer on a committee made up largely of the best tower engineers in the country was very gratifying. As is typical with most volunteer positions, what you seem to take away from the experience is the many friendships made. Being Chairman of the TIA Tower Standard Writing Committee for 8-1/2 years was no exception. We met from coast to coast, north to south during my tenure and each city has an enduring memory. But the fifty or so people associated with the committee inspire the fondest memories," Snyder said

He served as Chairman of  both the Engineering Committee TR-14, Point to Point Communications Systems, and Engineering Subcommittee TR-14.7, Formulating Subcommittee for the TIA/ANSI-222 Standard.

Reese and Erichsen to lead group
Brian Reese of AeroSolutions LLC has been selected as the new Chairman with John Erichsen of EET Engineering as Vice Chairman and Secretary.

Under Snyder's leadership, the Revision G Structural Standards for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas was approved on August 2, 2005. It was one of the industry's most sweeping changes to evolve since Revision D was introduced in 1987. Snyder attributes its success to the Editorial Task Group and the other committee members.

Snyder is President of Sioux Falls Tower & Communications, Inc., AnchorGuard and Intermountain Tower Specialists, Inc. He said he intends to remain active in the TR14.7 committee and its sub-committees. 

New Chairman brings wealth of experience
Brian Reese, known for his selfless desire to advance standards and promote a better understanding of the telecommunications industry through awareness, previously served as Vice Chairman and Secretary of the TR14.7 TIA-222 Committee since 2001.

He is Vice President of Operations of AeroSolutions LLC and has 15 years of experience in the engineering and tower industry including various roles involving design engineering, manufacturing, sales, and management. 

Joining AeroSolutions in 2004 as VP of Operations, he is responsible for managing and coordinating the company's daily operations.  With offices in Colorado and Pennsylvania, AeroSolutions optimizes tower infrastructure and is a solution provider to the tower industry. 

He is a registered professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Penn State University.  Reese was a founding board member of the Pennsylvania Wireless Association and also serves as Secretary of ASCE's Telecommunications Facilities Committee. 

Rev G addendum readied as Rev H work begins
The TR14.7 Committee's short term goals are the release of an addendum to Revision G and to begin work on Revision H of the 222 Standard. 

Addendum 1 to revision G was approved via public ballot on October 13.  The addendum includes various minor editorial changes and other adjustments with respect to cantilevered structures, shielding factor, and modified bearing factor for foundations.  The editorial committee is presently proofing the final draft of the addendum for submission to the TIA and official release to the public.

The 222 Standard is reaffirmed or revised every five years.  During the organization's last two meetings in St. Louis and San Francisco, the committee began the process of identifying relevant issues for inclusion in Revision H.  Potential revision H subjects being discussed include the following:

a.         Base plate design methodologies/weld details of the base connection on
            monopoles
b.         Fatigue categories on welded joints
c.         Maintenance and inspection: corrosion and fatigue on guyed cables
d.         Qualification of manufacturers/material testing/submittals
e.         Heavy icing events
f.          Expanded information related to concealed monopole structures
g.         Broadcast antenna degradation issues