Valve Basics in New Orleans: It’s a Wrap

One attendee wrote: "Loved the petting zoo!! Getting up close and personal to the valves was great. Will definitely help in understanding in my line of work."

Another attendee thanked a presenter: "I appreciate Greg Johnson taking time to offer suggestions in my new career move from accounting to inside sales/service repair. I found the seminar to be very beneficial."

Exploring Changes in 2014

Members of VMA’s Education & Training Committee and course presenters met after the event to review evaluations and discuss ways to further improve the learning experience. Although the Valves & Actuators 101 course was originally designed for those who are new to the industry, others with more experience continue to attend.

The committee will meet soon to work out a new framework for the 101 course, and details will be announced on VMA.org and in VALVE eNews as soon as they become available. Registration for the next Basics event—April 2-3 at the Hilton Kansas City Airport—will open in January 2014. Another Valve Basics Seminar & Exhibits will be held in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood, Oct. 30-31, 2014.

Judy Tibbs is VMA’s director of education and associate publisher/editor in chief of VALVE Magazine. Reach her at jtibbs@vma.org.

Basically, It Takes a Team

EDUCATION & TRAINING COMMITTEE, all of whom served as presenters—Greg Johnson, Chairman (United Valve); Leon Brooks, Vice Chairman (Cameron); Ed Holtgraver, Actuator Lead (QTRCO Inc.); Bert Evans (Emerson Process Management); Jeff Kane (DFT Inc.); and Paul Souza (AUMA Actuators)
GUEST PRESENTERS—Ernie Dingeldein (GE Oil & Gas/Consolidated); John Molloy (ASCO Numatics); and Bill Tatum (Westlock Controls)
PETTING ZOO HELPERS—Steve Atherton (Metso Automation); Michael Christian (Westlock Controls); Carlos Davila (CRANE); Lido Flores (AUMA Actuators); Michael Fulford (Bernard Controls); Doug Laiche (Emerson); Matt Lovell (United Valve); Scott Richardson (Kinetrol); David Scott (Samson); and Mark Simmons (CWFC-Farris Engineering)