A Warm Welcome, a New Plan, and a Thank You
Published: 16/6, 2023
Congratulations to James Milburn of Milburn Demolition, Bellwood, Ill., on becoming NDA president for 2023-2025. James was elected at our Annual Meeting of the Members in March. Under his leadership, the association will implement its new strategic plan, which was approved at the Board of Directors meeting in February. The new strategic plan includes opportunities to build upon the successes of previous years to meet current industry needs. Reflective of goals and actions that emerged from the 2022 member needs assessment, meetings with a focus group and NDA Executive Committee, and meetings and a growth session at the fall board meeting, the plan is guided by three themes—membership, workforce, and safety. At the end of the board’s growth session, there was consensus to recruit and retain top tier demolition companies, launch chapter networks and member workforce recruiting and retention tools, credential 300 demolition supervisors by 2026, and develop laborer/field worker level certification by 2025.
I would like to thank Past President Scott Homrich for his dedication to NDA and all we accomplished under his leadership. The association enjoyed significant growth during his term, adding more than 70 members last year. In addition, we hosted nearly 1,100 attendees this year at the Demolition Phoenix convention and expo. Here are some other NDA accompolishments made possible under Scott’s guidance:
• Formalized an alliance with the United States Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). This allowed us to expand existing relationships
between NDA and OSHA’s regional and area offices to address industry health
and safety issues; develop and disseminate materials and effective training
aids aligned with current regulatory information, interpretations, and
enforcement initiatives; and develop and review demolition best practices.
• Developed the industry’s first certification. The Certified Demolition
Supervisor (CDS) certification will complement NDA’s Foundation of
Demolition Training Series. Our first certification testing window is slated
for this summer.
• Launched a dynamic membership directory. This directory allows members to
download primary contacts of member organizations seek products and
services from trusted partners.
• Created two guidance documents. NDA’s Industry Committee undertook
the task of creating “Guidance for Demolition of Power Plants” and “Guidance
for Implosions.” Once complete, OSHA will provide these guidance documents
to industry stakeholders as a resource.
• Launched Demo on Demand. This content hub is NDA’s online resource for
sharing the intelligence of demolition contractors and equipment
manufacturers, as well as delivering the forward-looking insights you need to
succeed in an evolving industry.
While this is not an exhaustive list of NDA’s accomplishments over the past two years, it is testament to our progress as an organization and industry.
With all that has been going on with the industry and at NDA, if you know someone who is not a member, or you yourself are not a member, now is the time to join. Membership provides access to safety resources, demolition best practices, educational content, a company listing in our public membership directory and so much more. Contact me at jlambert@demolitionassociation.com, or apply for membership at demolitionassociation.com.
Jeff Lambert
Executive Director