I have a friend who has one of Shaquille O’Neal’s basketball sneakers displayed in his office. When I first saw it, I immediately said that it was the largest shoe I had ever seen. It was huge! It has not taken me long to realize that I have an equally large set of shoes to fill at IAEI. The impact and legacy former IAEI CEO, David Clements, left behind over the past decade is immeasurable. He left IAEI with a solid foundation, new strategic direction, and great staff for me to build upon.
To that end, I want the entire membership of IAEI to know that I am energized and excited by the opportunities, and even the challenges, that lie ahead. I come to IAEI with 25 years of executive-level association and non-profit management experience. It is my goal to utilize my entire skill set to guide IAEI into the next decade of new achievements. My association leadership philosophy is simple: “Are we providing the members with value-added propositions that promote and enhance their industry?” With this guiding principle in mind, it is my job to make sure that everything we do at IAEI serves the betterment of our members, and equally important, the Electrical Safety Industry.
For over two years, IAEI worked towards the creation and adoption of a Comprehensive Strategic Plan. With my history in leading associations and non-profits, I can confidently say that the IAEI has one of the very best Strategic Plans I have ever read. Over the past three years, the staff and leadership of the organization have worked diligently toward the goals and objectives outlined in the plan. With much progress already having been made, there remains one major goal yet to be accomplished… developing a comprehensive online training program. It is my goal, not only to develop an online training program, but to establish IAEI as the “The Global Leader of Electrical Training.”
The online training program IAEI is working towards is exactly what the Strategic Plan clearly describes as a primary goal to be achieved by 2021. My research into the history of IAEI indicates that this goal is not new; it is a return to a status that IAEI previously held for decades. IAEI was previously the leader in providing electrical training across the United States and even internationally. For decades we had over a dozen instructors inhouse, and contracted, that provided over 300 on-site training seminars annually! So, returning IAEI to The Global Leader of Electrical Training is simply returning to its roots… only this time, it will be done online and worldwide.
The goals of the program are:
- To supplement, not compete with, the Sections, Divisions, and Chapters live on-site training.
- To increase the number of trainings being offered by IAEI.
- To diversify the training content.
- To reach new target audiences such as installers, multi-hat inspectors, contractors, private corporations, and home inspectors.
- To have a global presence in the field of electrical training.
- To offer a state-of-the-art online interactive training experience.
- To reach an international audience.
- To increase membership.
- To offer comprehensive, affordable training.
- To utilize Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as presenters.
- And finally, to become “The Global Leader of Electrical Training.”
I apologize that I have not had an opportunity to meet any of you in person. And with the pandemic upon us, it may be some time before I can. Should you ever have any questions, concerns, or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to call me on my direct line (469) 587-7886 or email me rgarza@IAEI.org.
