04/01/2022 – The Wire Association International announces appointment
York to lead WAI in 2022
The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. announces the appointment of James R. York as president of the association for a one-year term that commenced on January 1, 2022.
James R. York is the new WAI-president for a one-year term that commenced on January 1, 2022. © WAI
York will serve as chairman of the Board of Directors and as the 69th president of the 92-year-old association, which is headquartered in Madison, Connecticut, USA.
York is a senior vice president at Insteel Industries Inc., where he has worked since 2018. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in several leadership roles with Leggett+Platt including corporate vice president, Rod+Wire Products; and president of the Specialty Products Division, among others. His earlier experience included positions with CF+I Steel and Bekaert.
A WAI member since 2012, York became a WAI Director in 2017. He contributed with service as an Executive Committee Liaison to its Exhibition Planning and Nominating Committees. In addition to his role as WAI president, York will serve as Co-Chairman of its Conference Programming Committee and Chairman of its Oversight Committee.
Commenting on this new appointment, York said, “The WAI has been and continues to be an important resource for industry members. It is my intention to continue this focus by providing contemporary-based data and programs that assist in the success of our members’ organisations and day-to-day operations.”
York holds a BSBA degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, College of Business, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
The Wire Association International, Inc. is governed by a network of volunteers from around the globe. Joining York for the 2022 term are members of the association’s 2022 executive committee: First Vice President, Daniel Blais, Prysmian Group; Second Vice President, Kurt Breischaft, SDI La Farga Copperworks; Immediate Past President, Thomas Heberling, Southwire Company LLC.
About Insteel Industries
Insteel Industries is a manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction applications. The company markets prestressed concrete strand and welded wire reinforcement. Its products are sold primarily to manufacturers of concrete products that are used in nonresidential construction.
About WAI
The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc., founded in 1930, is a not-for-profit association with nearly 1,800 individual members in 50 countries. The association serves the educational needs of the wire and cable manufacturing industry through a variety of products and services. WAI manages the “Interwire” Trade Exhibition and the WAI Operations Summit+Wire Expo and publishes the Wire Journal International and the Wire Journal International Reference Guide.
