“Happy New Year! Let’s learn from the past and make this a safe and prosperous one.”


task, but Erin rose to the challenge and has smoothly transitioned the magazine to where it is today.


This new partnership benefits both Needless to say, there are numerous


other committees and subcommittees, each of which have made great strides in 2018. I cannot thank our volunteers enough for their contributions and support. The Investment Casting Institute is largely run by Member Volunteers. A heartfelt thank you, to each and every one of you.


Even though many of the Institute’s accomplishments are the result of volunteer efforts, none could have come to fruition without the support of five key individuals, the ICI Staff: Grayce Albanese, Erin Almaleh, Nora D’Ambra, Barbara Tiseo and Margureta Watson. The work that they do ensures that we have our annual meetings, conferences, expositions, educational programs, award programs, publications, and many other ICI offerings too numerous to mention. In addition to the “regular stuff”, which is so easy to take for granted, the Staff had undertaken some additional challenges in 2018. Here are a couple


Partnership with EICF After nearly two years of discussion, the EICF and the ICI began a new partnership, making INCAST Magazine the official magazine of both trade associations. Well, that was the easy part, Carlos Olabe and I handled that. The coordination of the publication and incorporation of EICF materials in an easily identifiable fashion was no small


®


ICI and EICF Members by broadening the scope of articles, giving readers a more in depth view of the global industry. It also benefits our advertisers by extending their reach internationally.


Office Relocation For all of 2017, we had been seeking out new office locations and had pretty much given up all hope of finding something suitable to the Institute’s needs that was within our budget, when early last year luck walked in our front door. That is to say, a commercial realtor stopped by the office to see if there was any interest in viewing the property which ultimately became our new home.


Whether it be monitoring progress


on office construction, ensuring data and voice systems are properly relocated or simply the coordinating of the physical move, an office relocation is no simple matter. In her role as Business Administrator, Grayce managed the logistics very professionally. The balance of the staff was involved in the process, from cleaning house and discarding unneeded items to packing personal belongings, office supplies and equipment. Everyone was involved.


The relocation puts the ICI in an up-


to-date facility which features modern security systems, a common-area Board Room, of which we will certainly take advantage, and a Café run by a very nice family that has made sure we felt welcome in our new home.


of the relocation, we have hosted a number of visitors ranging from Mike Lambert of Stryker (located 10 minutes away) to Hiroshi Yokota of the Japan Foundry Society (located a lot further away). We enjoy visitors and invite you to visit us in our new home.


Final Reflection Looking back, 2018 was a year like many others. There were successes and failures, births and deaths, those in need and those who lent a helping hand. Along the way, we pass many strangers, meet a few, and if we are lucky, find a friend. And so the cycle continues.


I have been blessed to work with


some very extraordinary people in this industry and am truly appreciative of the ongoing opportunity the Institute affords me. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the ICI Staff, all of our volunteers and the committees on which they serve, the ICI Board of Directors, our international colleagues at the EICF and JFS, and most especially to you, the INCAST reader. You have each helped make 2018 a great year, and I hope that 2019 is even better. With your involvement it will be.


I have recognized and thanked


nearly everyone in this article, and would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the most important person in my personal and professional life. I could never do this without the support and encouragement of my wife. Maralin, I cannot thank you enough! You make all that I do possible.


“Happy New Year! Let’s learn As a result


from the past and make this a safe and prosperous one.”


January 2019 ❘ 5


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