2022 RETA Breeze March-April

40 YEARS AGO IN RETA HISTORY THE 1982 SPRING CONFERENCE

The 1982 Spring Conference was a two-day celebration of all things RETA. In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights. The Board of Directors and office core was made up of industry greats and industry greats to be. Chuck Toogood was Chairman of the Board of Directors. His Directors were John Beckum, Bob Bossier, John Scherer, Arthur Schulte, Gordon Campell, William (Bill) Cunningham, Richard Fisher, Craig Young, Wallace Spitznagel, Joe Schauf, Beverly McCann, and William H. Knox. The officers were President James Marella, Executive Vice President Roger Mulholland, Vice President Harry Paul, Secretary Ken Andersen, Treasurer Herb Rosen, and Sargent at Arms Ellis Norton. The Spring Conference was held in and hosted by the city of Pittsburg. Spring conferences were small two-day affairs. Essentially, spring conferences were comprised of, a Board of Directors meetings, a safety day, and several meals. As usual, the event was funded by sponsors. It’s interesting to look at the products being offered at the time. FES released their screw compressor control panel. Baltimore Aircoil advertised their VX condenser. Sullair was still marketing their ammonia screw compressors, and Vilter was using their “It’s a Vilter, I presume” tagline from Sir Stanley of “Dr. Livingstone I presume” fame. RETA advertising used the tag line “Someone goofed in the engine room ……. and everybody loses”. At the time, RETA offered “Industrial Refrigeration Course 1”, as a printed book and as a cassette tape course. Industrial Refrigeration Course 2, Control Theory 1, Control Theory 2, and Basic Electricity rounded out the RETA library, Attendees gathered at the Sheridan Inn for the two-day conference. Friday April 2nd, started with an afternoon Board of Directors meeting, followed by the Board of Directors Dinner. Wives were invited to attend the dinner festivities. Following dinner was a night of merriment referred to as “Hospitality Night”. Nalco Chemical was the hospitality sponsor. Saturday opened with 15 minutes of opening ceremonies including a state of the organization speech by President Marella. The pledge of allegiance was a staple of organizational ceremonies and Mr. Marella led those in attendance in the pledge.

1982 was an exciting year in RETA history. Many things were happening in the organization, but generally, the membership considered the organization in the process of rebirth. Many changes had been made to the educational materials and the organization was on a steady path of growth and community service.

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