It's the first time that a father and son have won GEM Awards. Jamey's father, Joe Yore, won the GEM Award in 2001.

News Flash!!!
Manufacturers to Support EIMC with Co-op Dollars
More than 15 of the industry's leading manufacturers will allow their distributors to use a portion of their earned co-op funds toward registration fees to attend the Electrical Industry Marketing Conference, Aug. 7-9, 2005, in Chicago.

The amount of co-op varies by manufacturer and ranges from $50 to $350. Some manufacturers are also providing an allowance for their reps. Participating manufacturers include: Advance Transformer, Brady Corp., Bryant Electric, Eaton Electrical, Federal Signal, GE Consumer & Industrial, Hoffman, Hubbell Wiring Device, Ideal Industries, Klein Tools, Leviton Manufacturing, Lutron, Panduit, Siemens Energy & Automation and Thomas Lighting.

Key topics of this year's conference include:

Unleashing the innovative spirit of your company to enhance service, product and process development

To register for the EIMC, go to www.eimc2005.com. Registration is only $599. For questions or sponsorship information e-mail David Gordon at dgordon@channelmkt.com or call (919)488-8635.

Manufacturer Promotions and Spiffs
Las Vegas Electrician Wins Ideal's Orange County Chopper
Daniel Mesa, an electrician from Las Vegas, rode off from the Electric West Show on a custom-built motorcycle from Orange County Choppers, as winner of Ideal Industries' "Born to Be Wired" Sweepstakes.

The custom Orange County Chopper was specifically designed and built for Ideal Industries, Sycamore, Ill., for its "Born to Be Wired" sweepstakes. The motorcycle boasts a powerful RevTech 100-cubic-inch engine, a one-of-kind custom paintjob and, of course, lots of chrome.

Ideal brought five qualifying contestants and their guests to the Electric West tradeshow in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 8-10, for the grand prize event. Each was given a key and a chance to start the motorcycle, although only one key would work. Mesa was the first to try. For a moment, he thought he had lost after turning the key the wrong way. After righting it, he cranked it up and got the thrill of a lifetime.

Run by the father-and-son team of Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., Orange County Choppers makes theme and custom-made choppers, such as the all copper-plated Liberty Bike, a patriotic tribute built in honor of the Statue of Liberty.

Movers & Shakers
Davis Wholesale Electric Announces New VP Purchasing and Operations
Davis Wholesale Electric has promoted Steve Lockie to vice president of purchasing and operations. The newly created position will handle all purchasing, warehouse, and operations at the North Hollywood distribution center. As a former principal of Industrial Wholesale Electric Co., Lockie brings more than 33 years of experience in electrical distribution to Davis.

Davis Wholesale Electric is celebrating 40 years in business as a leading supplier of electric and data communications equipment. The company serves customers from their three locations in Southern California: Chatsworth, North Hollywood and Valencia.

Sola/Hevi-Duty Appoints Mike Johnson Director of Marketing
Sola/Hevi-Duty, a supplier of power quality products and solutions, announced that Mike Johnson has been appointed director of marketing. Johnson, who joined Sola/Hevi-Duty in 1992, had most recently held the position of product manager for power supplies.

Competitive Intelligence
Home Depot Hired on Trump's "The Apprentice"
It's not enough that electrical distributors have to see new Home Depot stores being built so close to their branch locations. Now they have to see Big Orange in network television shows, too.

The Atlanta-based Home Depot Inc. has reached a promotional agreement with reality television company Mark Burnett Productions to have its products and services integrated in television programs. Financial terms of the multiyear, multi-program deal were not disclosed.

Through the partnership, Home Depot services will play a tailored role in Burnett programs, including "The Apprentice III" and its newest program, "The Contender," which premieres March 7 on NBC. The companies worked together on "Survivor" and "Apprentice II."

"We are thrilled to be involved with an innovative and exciting reality production company that is committed to showcasing The Home Depot brand and services in the content of the shows," said John Costello, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Home Depot. "This new partnership enables us to continually reach our target audiences in unique ways."