29/04/2012 The award was presented to CommScope’s Cable research and Development vice president Rob Wessels during the 28th Annual Awards Dinner and Investiture Ceremony on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Hartford, Conn., at the Connecticut Convention Center. The WCMA’s board of directors selects the new yearly recipients from those of strong character and creditability who have made significant commercial or technical contributions over a minimum 25-year industry career.
“I’m honored to have received this award from WCMA because of what it represents within the wire and cable industry,” Wessels said. “All the recipients have made significant contributions to our industry, and I’m proud to be included in this group. The WCMA is to be commended for providing leadership and a strong voice for wire and cable manufacturing companies and their employees.”
Wessels has worked for CommScope for the last 21 years and previously held a variety of engineering management positions in the areas of product development and process engineering. He holds 10 patents in the area of telecommunications cable design and processing.
Wessels is currently the board chairman for International Wire and Cable Symposium and treasurer of the Communications Cable and Connectivity Association. Earlier in his career, he was active in setting telecommunications standards for the Telecommunications Industry Association and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Wessels also serves on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board and is also a member of BICSI.
The WCMA was established in June 2004 as the successor organization to the Wire and Cable Clubs of America. WCMA is a corporate membership organization for manufacturers of electrical, electronic, and fiber optic wire and cable with an established manufacturing base in North America, including the producers of signal and current-carrying wire and fiber, the producers of bulk cables, and wire and cable processors. Membership also includes industry suppliers, service providers, affiliated companies and organizations serving the industry. WCMA coordinates premier events that bring corporate owners and key managers together for networking, the exchange of information and industry support.