President's Letter
Dear PEARL Members,

As discussed at our member meeting held at the 2018 convention, your board of directors are continuing to evaluate all PEARL programs and event to better position the organization for the future. Over the course of the next couple of months, you will learn about exciting changes to our 2019 convention, Technician Certification, and overall member value.  We continue to work towards “what is the convention theme” from an association, industry, company and individual perspective.  
 
Please hold the dates for our 2019 PEARL Conference, which will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 25-27, 2019. The event, which we’ve named “Advancing Our Infrastructure,” will expand on PEARL’s previous conferences. The PEARL planning committee will be introducing new learning tracks, which will bring further value to you, our members. Our goal is to provide sessions and information that will help you do your business better, from employee engagement to overall growth and more. We’ll be sending additional information about the conference in the coming months but put the dates on your calendars now!

In the meantime, please make every effort to learn more about the Tech Certification program. PEARL Technician Certification demonstrates your commitment to ensure quality work, integrity, and dependability. This elevates not only to the organization but helps your company stand out amongst others in the industry.

Sincerely,

Howard Herndon, PEARL President
PEARL News
PEARL HQ Address Change
As you know, PEARL headquarters were recently transitioned to Kellen's Chicago offices. We are in the process of changing change in your contacts and share this information with your billing departments. We are in the process of making this address change organization wide including the PEARL website, invoices, letterhead etc.

If you ever happen to be in the Chicago area, we welcome you to stop in and say hello to your PEARL staff!

PEARL
1 Parkview Plaza / 17W110 W. 22nd St.
Suite 800
OakBrook Terrace, IL 60181 USA
PEARL Member Engagement
Have you logged in lately?

PEARL members are automatically added to our members-only intranet site where lots of great engagement can happen! You can customize your MemberFuse dashboard and engage in discussion forums, the buy/sell board, member directory, company announcements, PEARL committees, industry resource sharing, are some of the great ways for you to connect with fellow PEARL members.

An effort is underway to encourage more member engagement so don't be surprised if you see an email or two from members or staff who will be 'inviting' you to join a particular group. You can opt out of any group you in which you were automatically enrolled as a member. You can request to join any 'open' groups. You may even start a relevant group by connecting with your PEARL staff.

This month's MemberFuse highlight: BUY/SELL
Posting items wanted or for sale to the Buy/Sell board previously required the completion of a fillable form that was then copied to the discussion forum by staff. To make this more user-friendly, all members have been added and can post items for sale/wanted. Guidelines are posted and require strict adherence.

For quick access to your member page, please click on the link below.


Upcoming Industry Events
March 11-15 
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center Grapevine, Texas

2019 PEARL Conference
Advancing Our Infrastructure
April 25-27
JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
New Member Spotlight
Ferguson Electric Service, Co., Inc.
Welcome Ferguson Electric!

Established in 1935, Ferguson Electric has been the leading electrical contractor in Western New York for over 80 years. Ferguson leadership is rooted in engineering and construction with a mission to provide our customers with the highest quality electrical construction and maintenance service at a reasonable price and aspire to maintain a level of integrity, trust and knowledge that perpetuates repeat business.

As Associate Members, Ferguson is currently working through the site inspection process to become full members. Their primary contact is:

Kevin T. Roland, PE.
Ferguson Electric Service Co., Inc.
321 Ellicott St.
Buffalo, NY 14203
kroland@fergusonservice.com
PEARL Technician Certification
Why Get Certified?
For the employer, PEARL Technician Certification provides a way to distinguish companies with certified technicians on staff, giving these companies a marketable edge and elevated status within the industry. Certifying your technicians will improve employee morale and reduce turnover, provide a feeder path for future management positions, reduce accidents and associated costs, reduce warranty claims, and improve the company’s bottom line.

For the technician, PEARL Technician Certification can extend your career path, opening up new opportunities within your organization; give you a greater sense of professional fulfillment and gain the respect of your peers – both at work and in the electrical reconditioning community at large.

Electrical Industry News
Bucket
Shortage Crisis or Opportunity?
The hot topic in the electrical, auto parts, and tech worlds is component shortage and extensive price increases. Articles in trade and supply chain magazines such as EBN Online describe shortages and price increases a crisis. But we in the electrical reconditioning / remanufacturing industries might just see this as opportunity. What do you think? 

Leadership Corner
Casey Blevins
Casey Blevins is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at National Switchgear. As PEARL's Marketing Committee Chairman, Casey has been working tirelessly with Chris Barry, Communications Director to grow PEARL's brand recognition in the marketplace.

Casey's education, career expertise, and position at Nat'L Switchgear fuels his passion to raise awareness for PEARL as the solution to quality and integrity in the electrical reconditioning / remanufacturing industry.

Thank you for your Leadership, Casey!