NATIONAL
MEETING
AWARD WINNERS
and through the years, he and I have
served together on many electrical industry councils and committees; Bruce
has always been there, making important contributions,” Vaught said.
“Whether it’s for the companies he’s
worked for or with associations like
NAED, Bruce has always committed his
vast business expertise and insights to
help improve the industry. The electrical
industry has benefitted greatly from
Bruce’s career-long devotion.”
While Bittner continues to lend his
talents to many important industry is-
sues, education remains at the top of his
list. “I want to continue to further op-
portunities for education and personal
growth through NAED—for everyone
from leaders to newcomers,” he said.
“I’ve had a blessed career and a great
network around me, and I’d like to share
those best practices with others so that
As for his award, Bittner noted, “I’m
humbled and surprised; it made me take
a step back. It’s exciting to be among
the leaders who have won this award in
the past—I’ve admired each and every
one of them and to now be part of that
group is truly an honor.”
Industry Award of Merit
ENCORE WIRE
At Encore Wire, change is one of the
things that’s stayed the same.
“We’ve driven continuous product
innovation, adding such new offerings
as industrial armored cable and alumi-
num conductor cable for commercial
and industrial applications,” said Pres-
ident and CEO Daniel Jones of Encore’s
ongoing R&D efforts. “We’ve also un-
dertaken an upgrade or expansion to
our plant and equipment every year
since 1991, adding warehouse and ship-
ping space, a LEED Platinum laboratory,
and more than 390 acres of property to
our holdings.”
While Encore has embraced the up-
grades that come with profitable growth
and success, Jones noted that since go-
ing public in 1992, most of its earnings
go back into the company, a firm driven
by old-fashioned values. “More than
90% of what we sell goes to the distrib-
utor market,” he said. “We’re dedicated
to soliciting their feedback, supporting
them with the innovative new products
and services they request, and exceeding
their expectations.”
Border States Electric in Fargo, N.D.,
has partnered with Encore Wire for
decades. “Encore is consistently one of
our top suppliers, not only in volume,
but also in service and added value,”
said CEO Tammy Miller, who credits
Encore’s culture and the quality of its
team as being the differentiating factors.
“Its culture starts at the top with Daniel
Jones and permeates the organization.
In addition to bringing innovative prod-
ucts and solutions to the marketplace
and being quick to respond to our re-
Charles Loeb, president of Loeb
Electric in Columbus, Ohio, seconds the
motion. “We’ve been doing business
with Encore Wire for more than 20
years,” he said. “Among the things I
appreciate most about our relationship
are the loyalty and respect that go both
ways, which mean everything to us at
Loeb. From both a personal and profes-
sional perspective, Encore is one of the
Jones credits Encore’s relationship
with NAED for much of the company’s
growth and success over the years. “In
the beginning, we used the NAED
member directory as a road map to find
and establish customers,” he shared.