Electing new leadership, previewing the organizations new website, exploring trends in smart building technology and contributing to members in need were highlights of the InsideIQ Building Automation Alliance Fall Meeting held in Savannah, Ga. An international alliance of independent building automation contractors, InsideIQ member firms are experts in building automation and systems integration.
“InsideIQ begins a new year with a full slate of leaders in place and ready to guide the organization and our member companies to further achievements in applying advanced building automation technology,” says Scott Derby, newly elected president of the Alliance and vice president and partner with SmartEdge, Buffalo, N.Y. “As president, my priorities this year include continuing membership expansion by drawing from industry leaders. I also want to ensure the newly approved Affiliate Membership program for companies serving our industry gets off the ground and is successful. Lastly, I want to increase our sharing of industry trends and best practices. Our members have so much to offer each other and time spent during the Fall Meeting learning from one another was a highlight of the event.”
According to Derby, who previously served as vice president of InsideIQ, joining the board as an officer this year is Daryld Karloff, executive vice president, building services at Baker Group, in Des Moines, Iowa, who will serve as secretary of the Alliance. Returning board officers include Jerry Jannicelli, president of Technical Building Services Inc., located in Ballston Spa, N.Y., who will serve this year as vice president and chair of the Ways and Means Committee; and treasurer Kent James who is vice president of Control Technologies in Lubbock, Texas.
Continuing their service on the InsideIQ board are Shad Buhlig, president of Automatic Controls Engineering, located in Hayward, Calif., who is the Technical Committee chair; Chuck Kopocis, vice president, Control Services Inc. based in Omaha, Neb., who leads the marketing committee; Charlie Sabean, vice president, Modern Systems Management Ltd. in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, who serves as the Business Development Committee chairman; Bob Socks, vice president of Control Systems Inc. located in Hagerstown, Md., who is chairman of the Operations Committee; Leroy Walden, vice president of Atlanta-based McKenneys Inc., who is InsideIQs past president; and Dean Welch, vice president of Climate Systems Inc., based in Sioux Falls, S.D. who is the Education Committee chairman.
“As a volunteer organization, InsideIQ board members are leaders of local building automation companies dedicated to providing solutions and service for their customers,” says Derby. “We dedicate the time to serve InsideIQ because of the value membership and participation provides. A collaborative organization, our members share ideas and best practices so that our companies can provide best-in-breed products and solutions to our customers.”
The InsideIQ Fall Meeting was an opportunity members had to view the Alliances redesigned website. The new site, which is live at www.insideiq.org, emphasizes finding a controls contractor, joining InsideIQ as a member or an employee, and sponsorship opportunities. Another highlight of the event was a presentation on the impact of intelligent building technology on commercial real estate by Jim Young, founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces conferences on technology, intelligent buildings and energy efficiency for the commercial and corporate real estate industry.
Attendees also learned about the latest control products through a new product showcase featuring Platinum Sponsors, Schneider Electric, Vykon by Tridium and Kele; Gold Sponsors; Belimo Air Controls and Optimum Energy; Silver Sponsors; Alps Controls, Connect-Air Wire and Cable, Functional Devices, Jonas Construction Software, Lutron Electronics, Walker Reid Strategies and Windy City Wire; Bronze Sponsors; Building Automation Products (BAPI), Dwyer Instruments, Optigo Networks, Veris Industries and Viewpoint Construction Software.
InsideIQ committed proceeds from the gathering to the Girls Scouts of America, which was founded in the events host city, Savannah, Ga. In addition, the alliance generated more than $17,000 through a GoFundMe campaign in support of member firm Louisiana Controls and its employees, many of whom suffered losses during the recent flooding in and around Baton Rouge, La.
Finally, InsideIQ welcomed back to the organization two former members: Wadsworth Solutions, located near Cleveland and Long Building Technologies, based in Littleton, Colo.