Crane Institute Certification (CIC) Governing Committee members have announced new leadership for the Multi-Purpose Equipment Committee and two additions to the CIC Advisory Committee.
Bill Schofield, a technical consultant to Crane Institute of America, Sanford, Fla., has filled the chairperson position for the Multi-Purpose Equipment Program Development Committee. This committee oversees item writing and practical exam development for operator certifications for digger derricks, articulating boom cranes, and service/mechanics trucks. Schofield was heavily involved in program development and oversaw several pilot tests for these programs.
Schofield has more than 20 years of experience in the operation, inspection, testing, repair, and training of all types of material handling equipment. In 2010, he received honorable mention recognition as a Top Trainer for Crane Institute of America by Crane & Rigging Hot Line magazine. He has been a member of the CIC Advisory Board since 2008.
Scotty Gaut and Pete Walsh have joined the Multi-Purpose Equipment Program Development Committee. Gaut is president of Crane U, a crane and rigging inspections and training services provider in Birmingham, Ala. Pete Walsh is director of product support, equipment department, The Walsh Group, a general contractor and construction management company based in Chicago, Ill. Walsh will also serve on CIC's Public Awareness Committee.
"CIC and the industry are the beneficiaries of the knowledge and experience possessed by subject matter experts who volunteer their time to CIC's program development," said Jim Headley founding member of the CIC Governing Committee. "The Governing and Advisory Committees welcome Scotty Gaut and Pete Walsh, and appreciate the leadership Bill Schofield brings to the new program."
Gaut has extensive crane operation, inspection, and management experience, having worked for CraneWorks and Steel City Crane--crane rental companies serving energy, construction, and industrial markets-before opening Crane U in 2010
"Safety is our primary concern in this industry," said Gaut. "Nationally accredited certification benefits end users by validating their operational knowledge of specific types of equipment. The Multi-Purpose Equipment Program Development Committee will develop guidelines and set standards to be used as a benchmark for operators of these unique pieces of equipment," he said.
Walsh has nearly 30 years of experience in the equipment department at Walsh Construction. As a member of the company's corporate safety committee, he has assisted in the development of policies and procedures relating to crane operation.
"I am excited about the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I have gained in my career and to network with industry peers on the CIC Advisory Committee. CIC Certifications are of value to our industry because they differentiate a level of focus and achievement by the operator for a specific skill set," said Walsh.
CIC will introduce Articulating Crane Operator and Digger Derrick Operator Certifications at the International Construction & Utility Equipment Expo (ICUEE) in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 1-3, 2013.
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