CENTREVILLE, VA. (August 22, 2018)

The National Elevator Industry Inc. (NEII) the premier trade association for the building transportation industry in North America, has released the Elevator & Escalator Industry Cybersecurity Best Practices – a guideline for the industry developed by cybersecurity and codes experts from NEII member companies. 

The best practices were developed by experienced cybersecurity professionals from around the world, including North America, Europe, the Pacific Asia Lift and Escalator Association (PALEA) and the China Elevator Association (CEA). The Elevator and Escalator Industry Cybersecurity Best Practices has become a necessity as building transportation systems have become an integrated part of complex modern buildings with multiple controllers and processes, monitoring systems accessing the internet, and wi-fi capable communication systems.

While such connectivity takes elevators and escalators to new levels in availability, efficiency and general building safety, it also presents exposures to the world of cyber threats. These industry best practices will provide guidance until a comprehensive cybersecurity standard for elevators and escalators becomes available.

“Elevators and escalators have evolved to digitally connect to complex building systems, which requires a standard for safety and security of their computer systems," said Karen Penafiel, NEII Executive Director. "We are proud to have developed these best practices in cooperation with global cybersecurity experts, and we hope this guideline will influence elevator and escalator standards and code updates in the future."

About NEII

NEII is the premier trade association representing the global leaders in the building transportation industry. Its members install, maintain, and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other building transportation products. NEII‘s membership includes the six major international companies – Fujitec America, Inc., KONE, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company and several other companies across the country. Collectively, the NEII members represent approximately eighty percent of the total hours worked within the elevator and escalator industry, employ more than 25,000 people in the U.S. and indirectly support hundreds of thousands of American jobs in affiliate industries. 

For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org. 

CENTREVILLE, VA. (June 3, 2019)

​The board of directors will lead the NEII mission as the organization continues to represent the global leaders in the building transportation industry through advocacy and code development. 

CENTREVILLE, VA. (June 3, 2019) - The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII), the premier trade association representing the global leaders in the building transportation industry, announced the election of its new Board of Directors and officers at NEII's 85th annual meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida. The new leadership team will serve a one year term. The elected Board of Directors and officers include:

• Tom Vining, President – A global industry leader with three decades serving Otis customers, employees and shareowners, Vining serves as president of Otis Americas, where he is responsible for the overall leadership and operating performance of Otis in North and South America.
• Greg Ergenbright, Vice President – Ergenbright has been President of Schindler Elevator Corporation’s U.S. operations since 2013. He has more than 20 years working in the elevator industry.
• Karen Penafiel, Secretary – Penafiel is the executive director of NEII and leads the staff team. She has over 28 years of building trade association management and advocacy experience.

NEII welcomes new Board member Gary Krupp, Fujitec America, Inc. – Krupp organizes and oversees the management of operations, engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing and service across the United States and Canada as the president of Fujitec America, Inc. Mr. Krupp has over 25 years in the elevator industry and began his career with Fujitec in 2002.

Krupp joins the returning members of the NEII Board of Directors:

• Larry Wash, KONE Americas — Wash serves as KONE Americas executive vice president and chief executive officer, a position he's held since 2012. Wash previously worked as president of Global Services for the Climate Solutions sector of Ingersoll Rand, vice president of service and contracting for Trane within North and Latin America, and in various leadership roles with Xerox and Eastman Kodak. Wash was the immediate past president of NEII. 
• Sterrett Lloyd, Draka Elevator Products – Lloyd currently holds the position of president at Draka Elevator Products where he directs the company's worldwide operations. He began his lifetime of industry service as a contractor and is the third generation of his family to work in the industry.
• Jon McCabe, thyssenkrupp Elevator Company – A well-respected leader within thyssenkrupp Elevator for more than 30 years, McCabe currently serves as executive vice president-field, a position he has held since 2017. McCabe previously served as vice president of new installation operations – US.
• Erik Zommers, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. – Zommers is senior vice president/general manager of Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.'s elevator and escalator division. He has been with Mitsubishi Electric since 1989 and is in charge of all US operations for the division.

The NEII Board of Directors sets the strategic direction of the association to drive its mission to advance safety and innovation in the building transportation industry throughout North America.

“In my second term as president of the NEII Board of Directors, I look forward to continue building on our association’s successes in the areas of safety, advocacy, and code development," said Tom Vining, president of NEII. "It is an honor to serve alongside this group of recognized leaders in the building transportation industry as we continue to promote safety, advocate for consistency in code adoption and enforcement, drive innovation and performance, and maintain equipment choice.” 

About NEII

NEII is the premier trade association representing the global leaders in the building transportation industry. Its members install, maintain, and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other building transportation products. NEII‘s membership includes the six major international companies – Fujitec America, Inc., KONE, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company and several other companies across the country. Collectively, the NEII members represent approximately eighty percent of the total hours worked within the elevator and escalator industry, employ more than 25,000 people in the U.S. and indirectly support hundreds of thousands of American jobs in affiliate industries. 

For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org. 

CENTREVILLE, VA. (May 1, 2019)

NATIONAL ELEVATOR INDUSTRY, INC. MARKS NEW ERA 

AS INDUSTRY LEADER WITH NEW VISUAL IDENTITY

NEII reveals new logo and website, and sets standards in motion

with renewed purpose for greater industry impact 

CENTREVILLE, VA (May 1, 2019) – The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) unveiled a new visual identity at their annual meeting last week, culminating years of organizational changes. Their new image reflects an expanded role as a leader of the building and vertical transportation industry and as a universally trusted resource for safety, codes and innovation in a fast evolving field.

“Key stakeholders in the industry turn to NEII for technical information and data regarding safety, codes updates and guidance on new technologies,” said Kevin Brinkman, Vice President of Codes and Safety. “Our new identity and comprehensive website is much easier to navigate and provides a better understanding of the role we play in advancing safe and innovative products and technologies.”

This rebrand follows several major events for NEII in recent years, including:

•  The hiring of Penafiel, a veteran of the buildings industry, as Executive Director.
• Expanding the staff from one full time employee just 2.5 years ago to six full time employees today.
• Partnering with other stakeholders to update the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators as well as relevant NFPA and ICC building codes every three years.
• Implementing a comprehensive government affairs program to influence elevator safety legislation and regulations across the country.
• Launched Elevator and Escalator Industry Cybersecurity Best Practices to provide a guideline to aid elevator and escalator manufacturers in designing systems that protect and manage against network based cyber-attacks. 

Penafiel added, “This is truly an exciting time for NEII. Our fresh image and vibrant website provide important content to propel the industry in these rapidly changing times.”

About NEII

NEII is the premier trade association representing the global leaders in the building transportation industry. Its members install, maintain, and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other building transportation products. NEII‘s membership includes the six major international companies – Fujitec America, Inc., KONE, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Elevator Corporation, Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company and several other companies across the country. Collectively, the NEII members represent approximately eighty percent of the total hours worked within the elevator and escalator industry, employ more than 25,000 people in the U.S. and indirectly support hundreds of thousands of American jobs in affiliate industries. 

For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org.