Electrical Connection’s Jim Curran Elected to the Board of the Missouri Partnership
The Missouri Partnership, a leading economic development organization, has elected Jim Curran to its board of directors. Curran is executive vice president of the Electrical Connection and has more than 30 years of experience in economic development. The Electrical Connection is a labor-management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
Curran develops business opportunities for IBEW/NECA statewide by working with organizations advancing Missouri’s economic development, energy and technology needs. He is board secretary for theHawthorn Foundation and also serves its executive committee. Curran is also vice chair and executive committee member for the Missouri Energy Initiative, which sets energy policy for the state. In addition, Curran’s board service includes Tech 44, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) – Gateway Chapter, the U.S. Green Building Council-Missouri Chapter (USGBC),Univerdant Sustainability Network, LLC, the Construction Forum Education Foundation STEM Committee, the St. Louis Regional Chamber Energy and Environmental Committee and the incubator advisory board of The Economic Development Center of St. Charles County.
Led by its 12-person board, the Missouri Partnership provides direct support to companies interested in investing in Missouri and works statewide to connect companies with the best locations and solutions for their business goals. For more information, visit www.missouripartnership.com.
Electrical Connection members provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services in Missouri and nationwide. More is online at www.electricalconnection.org.
PARIC Adds Earl Strauther As Director of Diversity & Inclusion
PARIC Corp., the Midwest construction organization recognized as an industry leader in workforce diversity, has recruited Earl G. Strauther, formerly the City of St. Louis Compliance Manager, to direct the company’s next steps toward excellence and advocacy.
While at the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), Strauther focused on workforce compliance and engagement with MBE and WBE enterprises.
At PARIC, Strauther will further develop the company’s approach to workforce inclusion and outreach to the community, according to Paric President Keith Wolkoff.
“Paric has a good roadmap of what we believe can lead to a more successful approach to workforce inclusion, but it is a long road and we need the horsepower to enact real and tangible change,” Wolkoff says. “If we can be successful with our approach, then hopefully we can set a new standard and raise the bar for the construction industry and for the area in general,” Wolkoff adds.
Strauther earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Communications plus a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Administration at Concordia University. He also earned the designation as a Fellow in Executive Management at the University of Kansas.
Two Gershman Mortgage Loan Officers Receive Top Certification
Bill and Lisa Nass are the only two people in Missouri to be named as a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP)
Gershman Mortgage is proud to announce that Bill Nass, Vice President, and Lisa Nass, Loan Originator, have received the distinction of Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP). Bill, who has been with Gershman Mortgage since 2001, became a CRMP in March of 2016, while Lisa, who has worked at Gershman Mortgage since 2009, was named a CRMP in January 2014.
Those who earn the CRMP are characterized as someone who demonstrates an exceptional knowledge and competency in the area of reverse mortgages and dedication to maintaining the highest professional and ethical principles. The CRMP is governed by the Independent Certification Committee and is administered by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA). The CRMP requires applicants to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The individual must have three years of experience originating reverse mortgages or must have personally closed 50 or more reverse mortgages
- Complete the course An Explanation of the NRMLA Code of Ethics and Its Impact on Our Daily Routine
- Complete an Independent Certification Committee approved course on preventing, detecting and reporting elder abuse
- Must complete 12 credits of continuing education (CE)
Once eligibility criteria is met, the individual must pass a multiple-choice exam. While hundreds of NRMLA members have acquired continuing education credits, only 114 individuals have been awarded CRMP designation since June 2010.
“A reverse mortgage is a sound financial strategy that can help seniors in their retirement years. Bill and Lisa, as CRMPs, are the reverse mortgage experts in this area and can guide anyone interested in learning more about how to secure one,” explained Mark Unangst, vice president.
Gershman Mortgage is one of the oldest independent mortgage companies in the Midwest, founded over 60 years ago.