With an Eye on the Horizon

NAESA International executive director discusses the organization’s adaptability and future plans.

Jim Borwey (JB) took on the role of executive director of NAESA International in January 2021 — in the midst of a global pandemic. As things are starting to settle down (for the time being), he took some time to speak with your author (LF) about how he and his team were able to navigate the “new normal” at that time and his plans for the organization moving forward. 

LF: Tell me a little bit about your background/experience in the industry, as well as your involvement with NAESA. 

JB: My background has me beginning with the industry in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I found my way to California, where I worked for one of the major elevator companies in new installation and as a route mechanic. In the late 1980s, I went to work as an inspector for the State of California. I was promoted to a district manager in San Francisco and then as the certification manager in Sacramento. In 2005, I moved to Iowa as the chief elevator inspector. It was then that I became more active in NAESA and was elected to its Board of Directors.

Since that time, I have served on various committees and was later elected to the Board of Certification. In late 2020 when Bob Shepherd announced his retirement as executive director, I applied for the position and was selected by the NAESA International Executive Committee to become the current executive director. 

LF: Your time as executive director, so far, has been quite unique. Walk me through the timeline. 

JB: I came on board as the executive director of NAESA International in January 2021. By then, NAESA had already been offering online education. This continued through early 2021. NAESA made the decision mid-year 2021 to go live with an in-person Wisconsin Symposium but made dual plans to revert to virtual if the conditions with the pandemic warranted that action. In late 2021, NAESA decided to go live with all our code updates and regional workshops. We still offer some webinar opportunities. Due to the popularity of that venue, we will be adding more virtual classes to keep up with demand.

LF: What does the role of executive director look like?  

JB: Most days, my role is routine and process driven. Working with the executive staff, Emerald [Kuhns], Megan [Fitzmaurice] and Jack [Day], certainly eased my transition into my new role. Their experience and dedication to NAESA are remarkable. 

The future of NAESA is bright, and the best is yet to come.

One of the most enjoyable things I am able to do is to greet our members at each of our webinar classes. It helps the members know that NAESA International is a motivated contributor to their success as inspectors. 

Included with the day-to-day operation, we always need to keep an eye on the horizon to see what opportunities lie ahead. NAESA has learned to adapt to a changing environment. Our members expect that we will provide updates to the code, as this affects how they perform their work. Our members are dedicated to keeping the riding public safe. Perhaps the NAESA vision statement says it best: “NAESA International is dedicated to being the recognized leader in education and certification of elevator personnel and becoming a worldwide advisor and authority on elevator safety.”

LF: How has the NAESA team been able to navigate specific challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic?

JB: NAESA International is an organization with extremely talented staff and volunteers. Without the abilities of our dedicated team, it would have been difficult to continue with our educational offerings during the pandemic. Our goal was to make the virtual environment as seamless as possible for our members. The executive staff, education director and volunteer instructors have become proficient with the virtual teaching environment. I am very proud of the way that everyone pulled together to respond to our members’ expectations to maintain their certification as inspectors.

I am very proud of the way that everyone pulled together to respond to our members’ expectations to maintain their certification as inspectors.

LF: The Wisconsin symposium in September 2021 (Back in Action), which celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary, was your first in-person event as executive director. How did it feel to be back and be able to fulfill that role in person? 

JB: The Wisconsin Symposium was a terrific event. All the attendees were full of smiles. Everyone seemed excited to be back in person. The vendors, especially, were thrilled to be able to talk to people face-to-face. 

I found it to be an absolute delight to visit with so many people who look to NAESA as a provider of excellence in education. The golf outing was one example of people enjoying each other’s company. What an exciting time to reflect on NAESA’s 50 years. As an organization, NAESA is not content with resting on past accomplishments. We will work hard to serve our members with the best we can offer.

LF: What do you see as the long-term impacts of the pandemic on NAESA, its members and the industry as a whole?

JB: The greatest impact that I see is the resiliency of our staff, instructors, our boards and our members coming together to achieve so much. The industry has seen how it can shift its focus so our members and the riding public can be assured of a safe environment. 

The industry does a terrific job adjusting to the drivers of the marketplace. The inspectors and the elevator industry are adjusting to the way it presents each group’s deliverables. 

We have seen the growth and impact of the use of the internet cloud and the Internet of Things. This innovation will no doubt cause the inspector to become more tech-savvy in how each inspection will progress.

LF: What are your plans/goals for NAESA now and in the future? 

JB: I am excited to be a part of NAESA where I can work with such a diverse group of men and women who serve on our boards, our executive staff, volunteers, instructors and, of course, our members. I am currently working with our boards and executive staff to retool our offerings to the in-person instruction scenario. NAESA is asked on a regular basis to provide training to individual groups, and we are excited to provide these kinds of specialty classes. The future of NAESA is bright, and the best is yet to come. We will continue in our mission to provide the excellence in education our members expect and grow in our stature to influence a culture of safety for the elevator industry.