The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has designated the second Monday of each April as National Lineman Appreciation Day, in a move that marked the first time the NRECA Board has formally recognized a day honoring lineman. In 2015, that means the day will fall on April 13. This isn’t the first time that strides have been made to recognize the lineman across America’s electric cooperatives; however, it is the first attempt made at implementing a lasting date. In 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating April 18 as National Lineman Appreciation Day, to recognize “the profession of Linemen, and the contributions of these brave men and women to protect public safety.” In 2014, only a House resolution to mark the day was introduced, and there was no congressional action taken to designate the day, leaving a number of electric cooperatives to unofficially designate the day for their lineman. Following the lack of congressional action in 2014, the NRECA passed their own resolution in December of 2014, which the NRECA Board adopted unanimously. “It gives us a rallying point for our linemen,” said Kerry Kelton, NRECA Texas Director, who presented the resolution to the board December 11 on behalf of the Government Relations Committee. The resolution states that lineman deserve recognition as they “leave their families and put their lives on the line every day to keep the power on; work 365 days a year under dangerous conditions to build, maintain and repair the electric infrastructure; are the…

The eighth annual Lift and Access Showcase, which brings together lead engineers and product managers within the lifting equipment industry for comprehensive demonstrations and discussions regarding lifting equipment, was held in Las Vegas at the Springhill Suites by Marriott on October 29 – 31. The interactive showcase provides a unique experience for manufacturers and vendors to demonstrate their equipment’s features, benefits, and capabilities directly to buyers through machine demonstrations and walk-around presentations. Through side-by-side comparisons and hands-on product demonstrations, industry leading manufacturers and OEMs are able to engage with buyers regarding equipment, leading to a better buyer understanding of the product and subsequently increase productivity for customers. This year the showcase, which was hosted by leading lifting equipment publication Lift & Access Magazine, featured a “green theme,” focusing exclusively on Green Equipment. Presentations included low-level access equipment, mast boom lifts, rough- and all-terrain electric and hybrid scissor lifts. Additionally, the show featured demonstrations of other hybrid lifting equipment, including aerial lifts, cranes, and telehandlers. The unique event, which is the only venue where new technology in lifting equipment can be both observed and operated, draws in a diverse crowd of industry leaders; according to Rental Equipment Register, in 2011 the event attracted buyers and key executives from 9 of the top 10 largest rental companies in North America. This year’s sponsors included the International Powered Access Federation and Bucher Hydraulics, as well as industry-leading OEMs. Atlas Truck Sales: Leading the Lifting Equipment Industry Atlas Truck Sales is a leading lifting…