In November of 2006, David E. Clements assumed responsibility as the 2007 International President of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI). As the newly elected incumbent, Dave becomes the seventy-ninth serving International President of the association.
For more than twenty-five years, Dave has been active at the local, section and national levels of the association, and has served as a board member since 1995. Dave has also chaired the fiscal affairs and long range planning committee and was instrumental in forming the long-range planning committee (2002), which proposed both a business plan and strategies to ensure the association would continue as a leader in promoting electrical safety and the delivery of training material to the electrical industry.
With respect to the IAEI membership, Dave believes that “A major benefit of the association is the strength of its membership and the many networking and educational opportunities it provides its members. The collective experiences of our members provides ample opportunity to understand best practices in electrical installations and inspection and disseminates information through the IAEI News, chapters and sections. Speaking as one voice, our members give strength to the rigorous development and application of codes and standards. My involvement in the strategic planning process has convinced me that our strongest asset is our members. It is critical to continue to add and retain members, and the organization must continue to offer the best possible member benefits in order to achieve this. We must ensure that our members have useful career tools that assist them in staying ahead of the latest electrical trends, accessible and diverse opportunities for networking and strong professional development programs.”
Dave began his electrical career in 1973 as an apprentice electrician, receiving his training and education through the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology, which lead to the receipt of his certificate of qualification as a construction electrician in 1978. After several years in the electrical trade, working for a local electrical firm, he decided in 1981 to take a position with Nova Scotia Power as an electrical inspector. Five years later, Dave was promoted to an electrical inspection specialist, and in 1998, he was appointed chief electrical inspector of Nova Scotia Power Inc. Dave is responsible for overseeing the Electrical Inspection Department. Presently, he sits as a voting member on the Technical Committee on Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and is a member of the Regulatory Authority Committee and the Canadian Advisory Committee on Electrical Safety.
When asked about how he first became involved with the IAEI, Dave recalled that “I became a member of the IAEI in 1981 when Floyd Coolen, chief electrical inspector at the time, started the Nova Scotia Chapter of IAEI. He required that all electrical inspectors join the association. I soon became involved with the local chapter and eventually became chapter chairman; it never entered my mind that twenty-five years later I would have the honor and privilege of serving as the international president.”
Dave is a strong believer and advocate of continuing education. Since joining Nova Scotia Power Inc., he has become a Certified Engineering Technician and has received a Certificate in Management from the Canadian Institute of Management through Saint Mary’s University. He has also earned a Certificate in Photography from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NASCAD University). When asked about why he is so passionate about continuing education, Dave replied, “I feel that one’s learning never ends and it’s important to continue to upgrade one’s skill and knowledge. It is especially important for those involved in the electrical industry, such as inspectors, electrical designers, installers and manufactures, to keep abreast to changes within the industry. The IAEI is able to facilitate the sharing of knowledge amongst its members and offer top-notch professional development.”
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he currently resides with his wife, Jacquenette, Dave has worked for Nova Scotia Power Inc., for the past twenty-five years. He also has a twenty-nine year old son, Ben, who presently lives and works in St. John’s Newfoundland. Dave is an avid golfer, enjoys fishing, and plays hockey, the great Canadian past-time, during the winter months. Other hobbies include; furniture making, stain glass, and black and white photography. No stranger to volunteering, Dave has held numerous positions in the community, such as: chairman of the Bridgewater Parks & Recreation Commission, school trustee, president of a Golf and Country Club, and he also served for three years as president of a Minor Hockey Association.
Dave adds that, “I’m looking forward to my new responsibilities as president and in meeting as many members as possible during my term. We have a dependable, knowledgeable and hard working team of employees at the international office whose goals are to provide the best services and products to our members. Your board of directors is committed and dedicated to make the IAEI the strongest association in the electrical industry, and so am I.”
