Affiliated Distributors announced the addition of the National Assn. of Electrical Distributors to its network of preferred organizations.

“It's a great opportunity for both organizations,” says NAED president Tom Naber. “At NAED, we are excited to work more closely with A-D because of their culture of innovation, their commitment to this industry and their easy-to-work-with style.”

As part of the partnership, A-D will urge its members to participate more fully with NAED's Learning Center for training programs in various electrical product categories.

“Education has always been a major and valued role for NAED,” says David Oldfather, senior vice president of A-D's electrical supply division. “The investments NAED is making in its Learning Center are impressive.”

For information, go to: www.naed.ord; www.adhq.com

The Power Transmission Distributors Assn. elected members to its 2008 Board of Directors, Manufacturer Council and Foundation at its Industry Summit held recently in Palm Desert, Calif. (For more on the PTDA Summit, see News on p. 13.)

The board of directors for 2008 will include: Larry Brand, IBT Inc.; James Gibney, Warren M. Pike Assoc., Div J. G. Industries Inc.; Ron Herem, Baldwin Supply Co.; Wayne Law, Motion Industries Inc.; David Mayer, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp.; and Keith Nowak, MPT Drives Inc.

PTDA also named Russ Perry of Renold Canada Ltd., as vice chairman of its Manufacturer Council.

Other council members are: Justin Aschenbrenner, Gates Corp.; Cliff Bannon, QA1 Precision Products Inc.; Randy Breaux, Baldor Dodge Reliance; Took Coder, TB Wood's div. of Altra Industrial Motion; Robert Daniel, Timken Co.; Pamela Kan, Bishop-Wisecarver Corp.; and George Rizza, Nord Gear Corp.

The 2008 board of trustees for the PTDA Foundation are: Kenneth Miko, BDI Inc. (president); William Childers, Industrial Business Group, NSK Corp. (vice president); and Don Latham, Belterra Inc (treasurer.)

For information, go to: www.ptda.org

Registration is now open for the 2008 University of Industrial Distribution scheduled for March 2-5 at Indiana University/Purdue University's Indianapolis campus.

The UID curriculum is focused on the needs of the industrial distribution industry. Attendees can choose from 37 educational sessions covering the field of distribution.

This year's instructors include Prof. Kathy Newton, professor of industrial distribution at Purdue University; Tom Reilly, president of Tom Reilly Training and INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION columnist; and Robert Wendover, managing director of the Center for Generational Studies.

UID students can apply their course work toward earning the Professional Certificate in Industrial Distribution awarded by Purdue. More than 5,000 distribution and manufacturing professionals have attended over the years.

For information, go to: www.univid.org

The North American Building Materials Distribution Assn. and Vistage International have agreed to combine efforts on new educational programs and other collaborations.

NMBDA represents wholesale distributors of specialty building products and woodworking materials. Vistage is the world's largest CEO membership organization and provides leadership training and peer counseling.

Vistage will work with the NBMDA to help industry executives grow their businesses through educational and coaching sessions. Vistage will also have an active role in NBMDA's annual conventions.

For information, go to: www.nbmda.org; www.vistage.com