Eaton Receives NECA ShowStopper Award for Its Distributed LV Power System
Otober 23, 2017
Eaton’s distributed low-voltage power system was one of the winners of a ShowStopper Award at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) conference in Seattle earlier this month.
Other lighting industry winners included Acuity Brands (EPANL Series LED Edge-Lit flat panel), Milwaukee Tool (personal lighting products and M18 Rover mounting flood light), and Southwire (11-ft LED string light).
The event brought together electrical contractors from NECA chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Among the highlights: a business development meeting that explored smart cities and the Internet, energy conservation and performance, and insights into the electrical component of a multi-year US$500 million renovation of the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium.
Businessman Jim Donald, a former CEO of major names such as Starbucks, Pathmark Stores and Haggen Food & Pharmacy, discussed leadership for the 21st century in a plenary session. In his 45 years of retail experience, Donald developed a reputation of turning around financially struggling companies. That track record prompted Extended Stay America to seek him out after emerging from its bankruptcy proceedings in 2010. The company has since rebounded.
This comeback was among the topics Donald focused on as he discussed leadership for the 21st century. He started off by saying the message that comes from an executive must be memorable and bring the entire company together. “Nobody from the front line to the top can become unwired,” he said.
Donald added that he spends a lot of time with employees on the front line, who are the lion share of the workforce, to learn more about what they do and how to connect with them. “The front line is not fighting with you – they are fighting for you,” he said.
