04 Mar NAI Leaders Engage in Local Communities
Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord MI
Troy, MI – NAI, a leading manufacturer of custom end-to-end connectivity solutions for high performance systems in industrial, telecom, data and medical industries, supports the company’s strategic directive for community outreach by engaging its leaders in local community initiatives and leadership development programs. Local community engagement and leadership development are company-wide values, featured on NAI’s Strategic Architecture model which drives company strategic and tactical initiatives.
Brian Eckerle, NAI’s Plant Manager at its recently opened plant in Gaylord, MI, is an example of community involvement and leadership development by NAI leaders. Last fall, Brian joined the “Leadership Otsego County” organization. The purpose of this group is to educate local business leaders about the local community and enhance their leadership skills, so eventually they can become active participants and leaders in the local community, working with local government, agencies or other community organizations.
The program curriculum runs the gamut from team building and development of a personal leadership plan to local community education, government, history, local economy and more. One of the 8-month long program requirements includes initiating and completing a community project. Brian’s team chose to design, build and install permanent signage for the Claude Shannon Park located in downtown Gaylord. The park is an integral asset to the community, but its lack of visibility has lessened its awareness and use. Brian’s team wanted to rectify that issue, while also increasing the local recognition of Claude Shannon, an important innovator from Gaylord. Their solution was to construct permanent signage for easy identification and visibility of the park while increasing recognition of the park’s namesake.
For the main entrance, the team designed a permanent sign consisting of two stone pillars interconnected by a welcome sign to the Claude Shannon Park. For the rear entrance, a single pillar was designed with a welcome sign that features Claude Shannon’s image.
Main Entrance Sign to the Park
Rear Entrance Sign
Claude Shannon was one of the original pioneers in digital communications. He developed the premise for the “bit,” which provided us with the foundation for digital signaling. As a math academic and engineer, Claude was credited with multiple theories leading to current technologies which helped enable the Internet, among other things. It has been said that Claude Shannon has changed the course of human history. Brian’s team wanted to help the community recognize his accomplishments.
The project signage has been designed and the team has raised the funds needed to cover most of the project costs, an initiative that is still underway. The team expects to break ground when the thaw occurs, and the signage is expected to be erected in June 2019, weather permitting. Brian and his team will graduate the Leadership Otsego County program this summer, receiving certification of completion.
For more information on the Claude Shannon Park signage project, please visit the main article in the Gaylord Herald Times.
To learn more about NAI, please visit the NAI website at www.nai-group.com.
About NAI
NAI has been a global leader in the manufacturing of advanced mission-critical and high-reliability fiber optic and copper cable assemblies and harnesses since 1993. NAI features a world class integrated supply chain, expert operations management, and a global manufacturing footprint in low cost regions. These all combine to provide NAI customers with a unique solution for their connectivity product requirements, from fiber optic and copper cable assemblies to box and panel builds and assemblies. In addition, NAI’s global locations provide more flexibility in the manufacture and shipping of assemblies to lower customer costs, including tariffs.
NAI manufactures assemblies across diverse markets including fiber optics, telecom, industrial, and medical industries. The company’s unique ability to service both high mix / low volume and low mix / high volume programs, while complying with complex regulatory requirements, supports the unique business needs of all customers, delivering the confidence and reliability that enable their success.
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