The National Assn. of Electrical Distributors launched the NAED Learning Center, a Web-based learning management system that serves as a central clearinghouse for employee training and development in the electrical distribution channel.

With this tool, companies can manage their training programs as well as access online courses. The NLC provides 24-hour access to tracking reports for online and off-line training efforts. Furthermore, the system offers several assessment options through pre-testing, post-testing and evaluation surveys. It has the capability to host NAED courses; and the organization is exploring the possibility of hosting basic training on topics such as sexual harassment, driving safety, forklift operations, OSHA training and more. NAED member manufacturers are invited to host their product training on the system, too.

"NAED did a great job designing the NLC; it's an excellent use of current technology. Course content is factual as well as thought-provoking. Our entire industry will benefit from this opportunity to learn," says Ray Girtman from Graybar.

For more information, visit www.naed.org.

NIBA—The Belting Assn. announced the 2006 officers for its board of directors. Tom Richardson, president of Conveyor Accessories, Inc. in Burr Ridge, Ill., assumes the presidency of the board. Other officers include Rene Morf of VIS USA, LLC as first vice president; Jackie Britt of Rubber & Accessories, Inc., as second vice president; and Frank Klaene of F.N. Sheppard & Co., as treasurer. Ted Lushch of Jerry Brothers Industries also will serve on the executive committee as immediate past president. The officers will serve a one-year term.

For more information, visit www.niba.org.

APICS—The Assn. for Operations Management announced that Nicholas M. Testa, CFPIM, CIRM, CEO of Acuity Consulting, is the 2006 president of its board of directors. Testa and the 21-member board took office Jan. 1.

Other officers include: Joseph F. Shedlawski of Wyeth Consumer Healthcare as president-elect; Robert J. Vokurka, Ph.D. of Texas A&M University as secretary/treasurer; Janet Steiner Soukup of Westell Technologies, Inc. as vice president—customers; Ronald K. Althaus of Althaus Consulting, LLC, as vice president—chapter development; Mary Moravec of Delta as vice president—education; and Thomas J. Krupka of Forward Technologies as past president.

Other regional vice presidents include: Lee T. Hendrix, Donna Gioffre, Patricia Crotty, Mark K. Williams, Ione Dykstra, Sue German, Karl Klaesius, Pamela M. Somers, Barry A. McBurney, Mel N. Nelson, Lisa Ross, O. Wayne Woods, Eric Schaudt and Phil Cwik.

For more information, visit www.apics.org.

kgriffiths@reedbusiness.com