Butler Supply Inc., Fenton, Mo., and Springfield Electric Supply Co., Springfield, Ill., join the ranks of those that have made $100,000 donations to The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Education & Research Foundation.
Founded by C.E. “Ed” Butler Jr. in 1941, Butler Supply has 25 locations throughout Missouri and Illinois.
“Our donation is in memory of my father and mother, Charles E. and Jacyln Butler. Our family has been involved in electrical distribution for a long time — my father was NAED chairman in 1963, and I served as chairman in 1995. The industry has been very good to us. Hopefully, our gift and the other gifts combined will enable NAED to develop programs to make the electrical distribution industry even better and more profitable,” said Richard “Dick” Butler, chief executive officer of Butler Supply.
The Foundation also received a $100,000 donation from Springfield Electric Supply. Founded in 1932 by William R. Schnirring Sr., Springfield Electric Supply serves the industrial, commercial and construction markets with 11 locations in Illinois.
“In a ‘people’ industry like ours, better trained and educated associates are the real difference in the value we provide to our customers. Training is a major focus for our company, and we look to NAED and the Foundation to develop the industry specific training resources and programs we need,” said Mike Barker, president and COO of Springfield Electric. “We believe strongly that this contribution to the Education & Research Foundation is an investment in our industry’s future, and in the development of the people who make that future bright.”
The companies’ donations will become part of an endowment fund for the NAED Education & Research Foundation. The principal amount of the endowments will remain untouched, while the interest will be used to commission future projects and studies. The $100,000 donors will have permanent positions on the Channel Advantage Partnership Council, which will help select future educational programs and research projects.
For more information about contributing to the NAED Education & Research Foundation endowment, contact Bill Elliott, NAED Foundation chairman, at (936) 569-1184 or [email protected].