Steve Shaughnessy, president of Canada-based manufacturer Skyjack Inc., was elected president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) at its annual general meeting in March. He succeeds John Ball of Height for Hire Ireland and brings with him more than 25 years of experience in the access business. The first U.S. citizen to lead IPAF, Shaughnessy will serve a two-year term. Following his election, Shaughnessy said he “will carry on with the project of ensuring that North American access rental and training companies are familiar with the benefits of IPAF’s powered access training programs."
It is essential “that operators in the largest access market in the world receive the opportunity to be trained to work at height safely and efficiently,” he continued. “IPAF will support the creation and expansion of national members’ councils to give a better voice to those members regarding the provision of services by the Federation and IPAF will also develop a process for enabling operators of access equipment in countries not currently supported by the Federation to benefit from its training programs.”
Shaughnessy grew up in the access industry, working in the family business Shaughnessy Crane Service in the U.S., and later running its access rental division. He served as regional vice president and chief operating officer of Chicago-based NES; director of access business for UK-based A-Plant; and managing director of rental company Loxam before joining Skyjack.
“Steve’s unique experience from both sides of the Atlantic makes him ideal as IPAF president,” said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman. “His background in access rentals and manufacturing, spanning across the US and the UK, will be very useful as IPAF grows its activities around the globe.”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
