Advancing Together into 2012

Nothing is more important to IAPMO’s success than our members and their unselfish dedication to health, safety and sustainability through sound plumbing and mechanical practices. You are truly second to none in that regard.

Another key to our frequent ability to deliver on our goals and promises, however, is the many partnerships and collaborative agreements IAPMO has forged over the years with our industry peers. The IAPMO Board of Directors and staff are constantly investigating ways in which our association can best benefit the public, our industry and our members by working with other mutually engaged organizations.

Late last year, CEO Russ Chaney and I had the pleasure of giving a presentation describing the many facets of The IAPMO Group to the Board of Directors of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). At the conclusion of the presentation, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASPE pledging collaboration on a Green Plumbing Engineer Training and Certification program. This is an exciting endeavor because it brings together two venerable organizations doing what they do best — IAPMO, education and training; ASPE, plumbing design — toward a vitally important goal: protecting water supplies and reducing energy consumption in the delivery and use of water.

It is extremely satisfying for me as a member of this industry for as long as I have been to be able participate in such meaningful partnerships. There are so many thoughtful and innovative individuals in our line of work and we accomplish great things on behalf of society when we work together.

Speaking of which, a little bit more on our own home front, the IAPMO Board of Directors held its final meeting of 2011 last November, during which the appointments to IAPMO’s various code development, product testing and certification, standards and other committees were made. I’ve said it before, but it really can’t be said enough — thank you to each and every individual who volunteers his or her personal time to serve on these committees and help further the goals of The IAPMO Group for little more compensation than knowing they’re helping to make a difference. Their selfless contributions rarely receive the acknowledgment they deserve, but these individuals are working behind the scenes every day to help IAPMO deliver its products and services to the industry worldwide.

As we begin a 2012 that I hope is a year of strong recovery for our industry and all of those whose careers are touched by it, I ask each IAPMO member to rededicate himself or herself to IAPMO’s mission and to our fellow IAPMO members. Together we can continue to grow this association into an evermore-influential international leader and champion of clean water and safe sanitation systems for everyone on the planet. There’s never been a better, more exciting time to be an IAPMO member.

Happy New Year!