Congratulations to Jim Cox, ITI Instructor, for winning the 2011 Professional Top Trainer award. The annual award is given by Crane Hot Line and endorsed by the Association of Crane & Rigging Professionals. The Professional Award is given to those whose primary employer is a training company while the Corporate Award is given to those whose primary employer is a construction, crane rental, manufacturing, or other related industry company. Below is an excerpt from Crane Hot Line's article in the November 2011 issue:
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"Jim Cox's positive attitude and sincerity make it seem as if he is speaking directly to you, even if you’re in a training session with many others," says Mike Parnell, ITI President/CEO, who nominated Cox. "He often must deliver unique or difficult courses in environments other than the classroom, such as the shop floor."
From Crane Hot Line, "When Cox joined Industrial Training International three years ago, his primary experience had been sales training for a rigging supply company. While he already had a talent for customizing the information to a client’s setting and load handling activities, he was asked to raise his knowledge level in subject areas he had not previously been responsible for.
According to Parnell, Cox has spent lots of nights and weekends digging into the material, consulting with more senior instructors, and perfecting his delivery techniques. Cox is described by his employer as well as customers as passionate, enthusiastic, and thorough. “I looked forward to returning everyday because I knew I would learn more each day,” said Stephen Lyons of DCL Mooring & Rigging, a student in one of Cox’s classes.
The onsite coordinator for a stevedoring company in Panama commented that Cox’s training efforts resulted in major changes at the company. “A lot of damaged rigging was replaced, rigging methods were modified to safer methods, and the client felt that great strides had been made to lower their risks related to load handling,” explained Parnell. The post-training audit with the client reinforced that more than safety is achieved through good training. “Overall costs had dropped and efficiency had improved,” said Parnell.
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ITI also congratulates Bob Berry, Director of Safety at Sims Crane & Equipment, who won the Corporate Top Trainer award. Congratulations also to Corporate Honorable Mention winners John Newby (The Crosby Group), Tom DeSoo (I&I Sling), and Dub Norris (Barnhart Crane & Rigging). Also, congratulations to Professional Honorable Mention winners Harley Gist (Rigging Institute), Larry DeMark Sr. (Equipment Training Solutions), John O'Connor (CICB), and Don Childers (Nationwide Crane Training).
2011 Sponsors included The Crosby Group, Liebherr, Manitex, Rigging Institute, Slingmax, NACB, NCCER, Industrial Training International, CICB, Columbus McKinnon, Crane Institute of America, FIRST Sling Technolgy, Stephenson Equipment, Inc., and Gunnebo Johnson.