The WAI’s New England Chapter announced the six 2025 winners of its scholarship program, which includes one candidate who qualified as a sponsored intern. Each scholarship was for $2,500.

Jack Bienvenue is the stepson of Walter Parsell, facility engineering manager, Prysmian Group. He is attending the University of Connecticut, where he is seeking a degree in statistical data science.

John Hartline is the son of Christopher Hartline, vice president of operations, RichardsApex. He is attending Pennsylvania State University, where he is seeking a degree in computer science.

Luke McComiskey is the son of Thomas McComiskey, vice president, The MGS Group. He is attending the University of Rhode Island, where he is seeking a degree in nursing.

Erin Mulligan is the daughter of Alan Mulligan, sales representative, Vandor Corporation. She is attending at High Point University, where she is seeking a degree in business administration. She also won a scholarship from the Southeast Chapter.

Michael Russo is the son of James Russo, electrical engineer, MGS Manufacturing. He is attending Salve Regina University, where he is seeking a degree in biochemistry.
Ryan Delage, the recipient of the Intern Scholarship, was sponsored by Gary Collette and Michael Renner of Sjogren Industries Inc.

The New England Chapter returned to the Tunxis Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut, for its 31st annual golf outing on what proved to be an utterly gorgeous day for the 143 golfers.

Coming out on top was the Lloyd & Bouvier team (pictured with trophy) of Michael Tucker, Darren Tucker, Joe Yabba and Gibson Yabba that shot a very respectable score of 15 under par. In second place, at 12 under, was the Web Industries team of James Evans, Trevor Lucas, Dave Morgan and Jordan Pihl. Third place went to the Little Falls Alloys team of Jeff Lawrence, Mike Sarni, Jake Pelletier and Sean Donnelly, 11 under.

The day had begun with the tee-off breakfast sponsored by James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp., and during play players could stop at designated lunch shacks—sponsored by Teknikor and Carris Reels—scattered throughout the course. Though golfers took their game seriously and the competition was fierce, players had a great time. Multiple golfers commented on how much they appreciated the brisk pace of play.

Following the tournament, players gathered at the pavilion for the dinner and awards ceremony, where the coveted New England Golf Tournament trophy was presented. The victorious team will keep it until the competition returns next year.

Event participants could also win an array of raffle prizes donated by a slew of generous sponsors. The winner of the grand prize—a set of TaylorMade Irons valued at $800—was Chris McCormick of Lightera, although the biggest winner was the chapter’s scholarship fund. Players dug deep for raffle tickets, adding nearly $4,000 to the chapter’s scholarship fund. See the six winners who won scholarships.

Event sponsors included: Amaral Automation Associates, Carris Reels Inc.; Electronic Drives & Controls, Inc.; Fluorogistx; Gem Gravure; Gendon Polymer Services Inc.; GEON Performance Solutions; James Monroe Wire & Cable Corp.; Joe Snee Associates, Inc.; Lake Cable, Lake Copper; Lenze Americas; Little Falls Alloys; Lloyd & Bouvier; M.Holland; Mathiasen Machinery; Quabbin Wire & Cable Co. Inc.; REELEX Packaging Solutions; RichardsApex; SIKORA; Teknikor; The MGS Group; W. Gillies Technologies LLC; Web Industries; Wire & Cable Consulting, LLC; Wire & Cable Manufacturers’

Alliance, Inc. (WCMA); and Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.

Jim Evans, who led the tournament organization, offered special thanks to all the dedicated committee volunteers who participated. “Without them, the event would be nowhere near as enjoyable.”

Tee time is rapidly approaching for the WAI Southeast Chapter’s 23rd annual golf tournament, to be held Oct. 16 at the Rock Barn Country Club and Spa in Conover, North Carolina.

Last year, 96 golfers played at the site, which is host to the Tom Jackson course, recognized by Golf Digest on its list of “Best Places to Play.” That backdrop was matched by the performance of the winning team of Harrison Cummings and Mark Finch, IWG-HPC; Darin Nicol, Wayne Wire Die Company; and Kelly Grigg, I.T. Consultant (SRHS), who shot an unworldly 16-under-par to claim top honors in a very competitive field.

Both the second and third place teams shot a 13 under, which triggered the matching of cards to determine the official finishes. The official second-place winners were Jay Sweetenburg, Austin Duncan, Taylor Lane, and Steve Malott, all of Sonoco. Third-place winners were Brooke Stonesifer of Sonoco, Tom Heberling, Dylan Shepard and Gerald Galazin of Southwire.

WAI’s Steve Fetteroll and the Southeast Chapter Board cited outstanding support from three Southwire Company volunteers: Denise Siathone, Lauren Bozeman and Jasmine Monet.

The cost for playing and the awards dinner is $225 a player. Participants can register at the WAI Chapter’s page for either the tournament or dinner-only participation.

The WAI Education Center’s recent two-part webinar on distinguishing high-quality wire dies from substandard ones featured expert insights from Hyperion Materials & Technologies.

The first session, “Differentiating High-Quality PCD Wire Dies,” explored carbide and PCD (polycrystalline diamond) fundamentals, highlighting issues like EDM cutting problems and cracks. See p. 50.

The second one, “Key Differentiators in Carbide Wire Dies,” focused on carbide materials with an interactive segment covering issues such as casing problems, breakage, cavities, and scratches.

The recorded webinars are now available on-demand through WAI’s learning platform. The educational resource is free to WAI members, a valuable member benefit. Registration for WAI webinars is $75 for non-members, making membership ($150/year) an attractive option for those interested in both sessions and seeking further discounts on training and events.

The good news is that the vast majority of the August preview for Wire & Cable Kraków is still accurate. Below are some of the key elements of the international conference to be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Holiday Inn Kraków City Centre in Kraków, Poland.

The 28 presentations will be presented in concurrent ferrous and nonferrous sessions. They will explore and cover topics such as production efficiency, product development and sustainability. A tabletop exhibition will accompany the conference. See p. 38 for the list of companies/organizations that have reserved a spot.

Scheduled speakers come from companies/universities that include Aeroel Marposs, AGH University, Astarte Stategies Srl, Bekaert, Caleotto SpA, Celanese, CRU, Czestochowa University of Technology, Eder Engineering, Hyperion, InnoVites, Łukasiewicz–GIT, Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co. KG, Metalube, the MFL Group, the Pittini Group, SAMP Group, Tata Steel, Taymer Europe, TKT Group, Tokai University, University of Milano-Bicocca, Windak Group and WiTechs.

Registration for all event elements can now be done at www.wirecable25.com. The four event organizers include WAI, ACIMAF, the AGH University of Kraków and the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA). The International Wire and Cable Machine Exhibitors Association (IWCEA) is also an event sponsor. WAI’s Poland Chapter is graciously providing administrative services. The event is backed by media partner Expometals.net and supported by WJI. Other sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The experience includes a gala dinner on the day of the conference at the historic Stara Zajezdnia Kraków by DeSilva in the heart of Kazimierz.