Link-Belt Hosts Spring NCCCO Commissioner Meetings

Commission celebrates NCCCO's 15th anniversary and recognizes charter members

June 2011 - The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) held its spring meetings in Lexington, KY on April 18-21, 2011. Hosted by Link-Belt Construction Equipment, the event comprised three days of committee meetings followed by the full Commission meeting on the last day.

Highlights of the meetings included a Link-Belt factory tour and an NCCCO 15th anniversary dinner sponsored by Link-Belt, where charter Commissioners (who have continued to serve as full Commissioners since the Commission was established in 1996) were recognized and awarded commemorative plaques.  Charter Commissioners honored were:

• Dennis Eckstine, Eckstine & Associates, Inc. (Waynesboro, PA)
• Ron Kohner, Landmark Engineering Services (Roseville, MN)
• J. Chris Ryan, Boh Bros. Construction Company (New Orleans, LA)
• Bill Smith, NationsBuilders Insurance Services (Pasadena, MD)
• Bill Stramer, Link-Belt Construction Equipment (Lexington, KY)
• Joe Bob Williams, East Texas Crane Academy (LaPorte, TX)

Charter members of NCCCO’s Commission were recognized at NCCCO’s 15th Anniversary Celebration Dinner hosted by Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co. Pictured left to right (holding plaques) are: Bill Smith (NBIS), Dennis Eckstine (Eckstine & Associates), Ron Kohner (Landmark Engineering), J. Chris Ryan (Boh Bros.), J.R. Williams (East Texas Crane Academy), and Bill Stramer (Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co.). They are flanked by Kerry Hulse, Commission Chairman (left) and Executive Director, Graham Brent.

 “NCCCO’s regularly scheduled meetings are crucial to the execution of its mission to promote safer lifting operations,” said NCCCO Executive Director, Graham Brent. “Our volunteers represent all sectors of industry, and their participation is key to ensuring that NCCCO remains responsive to the needs of all industry stakeholders.”

NCCCO Commissioners and staff gather after touring the Link-Belt factory in Lexington, KY.

Over the four days, more than 60 subject matter experts volunteered their time to help maintain and refine policies and rules for six different NCCCO certification programs. The participation of these committee members and guests from across industry plays a key part in ensuring that CCO exams remain current and relevant. The committees constantly update the exams to meet current industry practices and evolving OSHA, ASME B30, and other standards. In addition to NCCCO’s role as industry liaison with OSHA, many NCCCO committee members also sit on the ASME B30 committees that develop those standards, and that helps keep NCCCO exams current with industry trends.

During the final day’s full Commission meeting, two serving Commissioners were elected to new five-year terms, and three new Alternate Commissioners were elected, further deepening the Commission’s industry representation, which includes owners, manufacturers, labor, government/regulatory agencies, associations, users, insurance, consultants, and international interests.

View photos from the Commissioners meeting

View the NCCCO 15th Anniversary Celebration