BICSI Brief Volume 1, Issue 2 | May 2023
Volume 1, Issue 2 | May 2023
ORGANIZATION 3-5 New Second Edition ICT Installation Practices Field Guides from BICSI | Self-Nominations are Still Open for the BICSI Board of Directors and the Leadership Development Committee | Connect with BICSI 6-10 Highlights from the 2023 BICSI Winter Conference | Save the Date for the 2023 BICSI Fall Conference & Exhibition | Upcoming Global BICSI Events | Virtual ICT Forums & Webinars EVENTS
EDUCATION
11
BICSI Courses are Available Virtually & Face-to-Face
CERTIFICATION 12-15 Thank You RTPM Program Exam Scrub & Standard-Setting Volunteers | New BICSI Credential Holders | Special CEC Package Deal for Current RCDDs 16-19 BICSI Membership Advantage | More than Words from Women in BICSI | ICT Professionals Weigh in on the Future of the ICT Industry COMMUNITY CORNER
REGION LETTERS
20-21
The latest news from your Regional Directors
NEW! BICSI’s PROJECT MANAGEMENT MANUAL
2023-2024 BICSI Board of Directors Board President —Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS Board President-Elect — David M. Richards, RCDD, NTS, OSP, TECH, CT Immediate Past Board President— Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, NTS, OSP Board Secretary —Honorico “Rick” Ciordia, RCDD, DCDC, RTPM, PE Board Treasurer —Beatriz Bezos, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, OSP, PE, PMP EMEA Regional Director —Gautier Humbert, RCDD Global Regional Director —Fernando Neto, RCDD U.S. North-Central Regional Director —Dennis Severance, RCDD U.S. Northeast Regional Director —William Foy, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, OSP, WD U.S. South-Central Regional Director —Ryan Davis, RCDD, TECH U.S. Southeast Regional Director —Bo Conrad, RCDD, TECH U.S. Western Regional Director —Luke Clawson, RCDD, GROL, MBA Chief Executive Officer —John H. Daniels, CNM, FACHE, FHIMSS BICSI Brief Staff Events Content Graphic Specialist —Jamie Finne; jfinne@bicsi.org Copywriter/Editor, Marketing —Amanda Lamadrid; alamadrid@bicsi.org Advertising Sales —Courtney Nalls; cnalls@bicsi.org
BICSI’s new Telecommunications Project Management Reference Manual (TPMRM) , 2 nd edition provides the latest concepts, techniques, and essential information for managing a successful telecommunications project.
Learn the latest on:
Cost management Procurement management Vendor and contractor coordination Commissioning Risk management
Safety plan development Sustainable methods OSP project management methods Construction administration Client needs assessments
BICSI Brief is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November by BICSI, Inc., and is emailed to BICSI members and customers, as well as RCDDs, RTPMs, DCDCs, BICSI Installers and Technicians, and OSP credential holders. BICSI Brief welcomes and encourages contributions and suggestions from its readers. However, all material becomes the property of BICSI, Inc., which reserves the right to edit and alter such material for space or other considerations and to publish or otherwise use such material. The articles, opinions, and ideas expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of BICSI, its members, or its staff. BICSI is not liable in any way, manner, or form for the articles, opinions, and ideas, and readers are urged to exercise professional caution in undertaking any of the recommen- dations or suggestions made by authors. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission from BICSI, Inc. ADVERTISING: Rates and information are provided upon request. Contact Courtney Nalls for information at +1 813.769.1842 or 800.242.7405, ext. 842 (U.S. and Canada toll-free) or cnalls@bicsi.org. Publication of advertising should not be deemed as endorsement by BICSI, Inc. BICSI reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to reject any advertisement at any time by any party.
Add this essential publication to your reference collection!
Order today at bicsi.org/tpmrm.
ORGANIZATION
COMING SOON! Second Edition ICT Installation Practices Field Guides from BICSI
Volume 1 – General Cabling, 2nd Edition This updated guide will focus on the tasks and procedures for setting up the site and preparing pathways and spaces for the actual cable installation. New information will include environmental, lighting, and power considerations for ICT space build-out, cable bend radius and pulling force, and much more. Volume 2 – Copper Cabling, 2nd Edition This updated guide will focus on balanced twisted-pair and coaxial communication cabling. New information will include hybrid cable, pathway sharing and associated restrictions, power over Ethernet (PoE), WLAN/Wi-Fi, distributed antenna system (DAS) installations, and much more.
Be among the first to grab the latest ICT Installation Practices Field Guides upon their release and gain the most up-to-date installation practices. All three volumes will be available in print and downloadable formats. Check the website for details on our special bundle discount when you purchase all three upcoming volumes! $AVE WITH $PECIAL BUNDLE DISCOUNT Newly updated to their second editions, BICSI’s three upcoming ICT Installation Practices Field Guides will continue to serve as the must-have companions for every ICT and low-voltage cabling installer and technician. These guides will be conveniently sized for your pocket or toolbox, covering General Cabling, Copper, and Optical Fiber Installation. Many additions and updates will be incorporated into the second edition field guides, with newly accepted ICT technol- ogies as well as current codes, standards, and industry best practices. Each volume is arranged to quickly place the information you need at your fingertips.
Volume 3 – Optical Fiber Cabling, 2nd Edition This updated guide will focus on in-the-field optical fiber cabling installation and maintenance techniques based on applicable codes, standards, and industry best practices. New information will include cable jacket listings, optical fiber hardware, optical fiber strand coupling and polarity, and much more.
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ORGANIZATION
Self-nominations for at-large members of the BICSI Board of Directors, as well as at-large members of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) (formerly the BICSI Nominating Committee), will remain open until Wednesday, 31 May 2023.
Benefits of Serving on the BOD and/or LDC: Volunteering on the BICSI Board of Directors or the LDC can be a rewarding experience, with current and past members attesting to the following personal and professional benefits: • An opportunity at the forefront to attain an insider’s perspective and directly shape the future of the profession. Self-Nominations are Still Open for the BICSI Board of Directors and the Leadership Development Committee
• An opportunity to learn a variety of ICT best practices through the lens of a winning and growing association and industry.
• A sense of relevancy in a forum where each voice is heard and respected.
There are four at-large Board Director and two at-large LDC member positions available. Details on each volunteer position, as well as the process for self-nominations, can be found at bicsi.org/nominations . Once the self-nomination process has come to an end, the slate of candidates will be presented on 1 August 2023. Watch your email for details to stay on top of the latest election updates. Thank you for supporting BICSI and shaping the future of the ICT profession!
• Extensive peer-to-peer personal and professional development in international board governance.
• An opportunity to give back to society and have a true impact on a profession that affects millions of people, families, and communities for generations to come.
• The ability to build an international network of some of the best and brightest minds in the ICT community.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
PAGE 4
ORGANIZATION
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PAGE 5
EVENTS
BICSI celebrated 50 years of conferences at this past Winter Conference & Exhibition. We want to thank everyone who celebrated the monumental moment with us! We also want to thank our many fabulous presenters, keynotes, exhibitors, and sponsors. In case you missed it, we have a few highlights to share:
The incoming 2023 BICSI Board of Directors were sworn in during the Annual Business Meeting. Newly elected board members include: • Secretary – Honorico "Rick" Ciordia, PE, RCDD, DCDC, RTPM (Incumbent) •Global Regional Director – Fernando Neto, RCDD •U.S. South-Central Regional Director – Ryan Davis, RCDD, TECH •U.S. Southeast Regional Director – Bo Conrad, RCDD, TECH •U.S. Western Regional Director – Luke Clawson, RCDD, GROL, MBA (Incumbent)
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EVENTS
ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS BICSI recognized members who have made a particularly significant impact on our association and industry through a variety of awards at the Annual Awards Banquet. Congratulations to the following winners:
Emerging ICT Professional of the Year Caitlin Brudnicki, RTPM
BICSI ICT Woman of the Year Carrie Goetz, RCDD, NTS
Larry G. Romig Committee Member of the Year Phil Janeway, RCDD
No Photo Available.
Ross G.H. Cotton Canadian Region Award William Weekes, RCDD
Global Outstanding Member of the Year Nelson Farfan, RCDD
David K. Blythe/ University of Kentucky Award for Outstanding Member of the Year Chuck Bowser III
Harry J. Pfister Award for Excellence in the Telecommunications Industry Calvin Roberts, RCDD
Presidential Eagle Award Patrick McLaughlin
BICSI CABLING SKILLS CHALLENGE The 15th Annual BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge was a sight to be seen. Twelve BICSI Installers and Tech- nicians competed in a series of hands-on ICT cabling tasks in areas involving copper and fiber terminations, OTDR troubleshooting, mechanical splicing, and more. In addition, many exhibitors hosted Speed Challenge events for attendees to take part in. Prizes were awarded, including $5,000 to the 2023 BICSI Installer of the Year.
BICSI INSTALLER OF THE YEAR Thomas Pate INSTC, INSTF, TECH Bay District Schools Installer 1 1st place Benjamin Graybill INST1 IES Communications
Installer 2, Copper 1st place Daniel Merritt INSTC, INSTF State of Arkansas Department of Military 2nd place Joshua Gover INSTC Vision Technologies
Installer 2, Fiber 1st place Austin Kitchens INSTF IES Communications 2nd place Daniel Merritt INSTC, INSTF State of Arkansas Department of Military
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EVENTS
TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE & BEST IN SHOW Attendees and Exhibit Hall visitors were treated to a special section of the Exhibit Hall where participating exhibitors showcased their most innovative product solutions. Attendees voted on the following winners:
IN THE EXHIBIT HALL Filled with more than 100 exhibitors, the Exhibit Hall buzzed with a diverse group of organizations. Companies represented a variety of manufacturers and distributors, some of which included ICT testing, monitoring, and analytics; safety infrastructure solutions; networking technology; cable management systems; voice/data solutions, and many others. BICSI CARES BICSI Cares ® , the charity arm of BICSI, chose to benefit Operation HeartF.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies) for the Winter Conference. Operation HeartF.E.L.T. is a nonprofit
Best in Show viaPhoton
Building Systems Solutions viaPhoton/HyperMap
organization whose mission is to provide nutritious meals to students and their siblings on weekends, holidays, and extended school break periods. A donation was presented to the charity just before the conference’s conclusion. operationheartfelt.com
Installation Tools, Methods & Testing AEM
Physical Support Equipment EATON
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EVENTS
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SAVE THE DATE FOR BICSI'S UPCOMING FALL CONFERENCE! From 10-14 September at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV, attendees will be treated to multiple days of forward-thinking, solution-generating, progressive ICT topics. Our speakers and exhibitors come from many different backgrounds to share their expertise and vision so that we can learn from one another and advance the ICT industry together. Our exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are quickly filling up, but there is still room for you to promote your organization! A BICSI Conference is an ideal avenue to showcase your products and services to a contemporary ICT audience who wants to know how you can help them reach their professional goals. The on-site Exhibit Hall will include What’s New, What’s It Do? in the BICSI Theater, where exhibitors can give brief show-and-tell presentations of their offerings. CLICK HERE for details on the 2023 BICSI Fall Conference. For information about exhibiting and sponsoring, contact Courtney Nalls at cnalls@bicsi.org or 813.352.0660.
2023 NECA-BICSI SUMMIT
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EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL ICT FORUMS AND WEBINARS
UPCOMING GLOBAL EVENTS:
2023 BICSI Fall Conference & Exhibition 10-14 September 2023 Caesars Forum Las Vegas, Nevada, USA BICSI South Pacific & AFCOM Brisbane 2023 Australian Conference 17-19 October 2023 Sofitel Brisbane Central Brisbane, Australia Japan Conference & Exhibition 14-15 November 2023 Sola City Conference Center Tokyo, Japan 2024 BICSI Winter Conference 28 January - 1 February 2024
ICT professional development comes in all forms, and it’s closer than you think. The Virtual ICT (vICT) Forums and Webinars below make it convenient to take in new technical knowledge presented by industry experts.
CLICK FOR UPCOMING vICT FORUMS
CLICK FOR UPCOMING WEBINARS
Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando, Florida, USA 2024 BICSI Fall Conference 15-19 September 2024 Caesars Forum Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
SPONSOR AN EVENT AND EDUCATE FELLOW PROFESSIONALS Our sponsored presenters make these events possible, building their brand recognition while educating ICT professionals on what they know best. If you are interested in sponsoring a BICSI vICT Forum or webinar, please contact Business Development Manager; Exhibits, Sponsorship & Advertising, Courtney Nalls, at cnalls@bicsi.org , 813.769.1842, or 800.242.7405 (USA & Canada toll-free).
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EDUCATION
BICSI Courses Are Available Virtually and Face-to-Face
Experience BICSI's many versatile training courses by registering today! SPECIAL EVENT: From 18-22 September, BICSI's virtual design courses (DC102, DD102, OSP102, PM102) will be offered face-to-face in Tampa, Florida.
IN101: BICSI Installer 1 Training (Virtual)
IN225: BICSI Installer 2, Copper Training (Virtual)
IN250: BICSI Installer 2, Optical Fiber Training (Face-to-Face)
TE350: BICSI Technician Training (Face-to-Face)
DC102: Applied Data Center Design and Best Practices (Virtual)
DD102: Applied Best Practices for Telecom- munications Distribution Design (Virtual)
OSP102: Applied Outside Plant Design (Virtual)
PM102: Applied Telecommunications Project Management (Virtual)
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CERTIFICATION
VOLUNTEER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
For the past few months, a team of dedicated volunteers have been working behind the scenes on the Registered Telecommunications Project Manager ® (RTPM ® ) Exam. Two remarkable groups of subject matter experts have been participating in the Exam Scrub and the Standard- Setting Process for v2 of the exam, spanning a three-month commitment as volunteers. Their passion and dedication to the BICSI ICT Certification Institute programs and the exam development process will help ensure future credential holders have demonstrated expertise in the knowledge areas required for their certifications.
We would like to personally thank our volunteer leadership and every person involved in the RTPM Exam Scrub & Standard-Setting teams for the time away from their families, careers, and daily life, to give back to the ICT profession.
Caitlin Brudnicki, RTPM
Brian Hansen, RCDD, NTS
Heather Callaway, RCDD
Michael Collins, RCDD, RTPM
Adam Haskin, RCDD
Russ Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, RTPM
Bronson Blasi, RCDD
No Photo Available.
Heath Norris, RCDD, RTPM
Rob Snively, RCDD, RTPM
Kevin O'Brien, RTPM
David Lester, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, OSP, RTPM, TECH
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CERTIFICATION
Brian Hansen, RCDD, NTS
Heather Callaway, RCDD
Michael Collins, RCDD, RTPM
Adam Haskin, RCDD
Russ Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, RTPM
Jeff Claypool, RTPM
Timothy Lombard, RTPM
Sonia Melendez-Colom, RTPM, RITP
Carlo Monton, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, OSP, RTPM
David Vercelletto, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, OSP, RTPM
Rosalie McGee, RTPM
Your generous gift of time and commitment is greatly appreciated. Thank you for making a difference and moving the ICT profession forward. We couldn’t do it without you!
No Photo Available.
James Walters, RCDD, DCDC, OSP, RTPM
Jonathan Werner, RCDD, RTPM
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CERTIFICATION
NEW BICSI CREDENTIAL HOLDERS CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR HARD WORK PAID OFF!
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA REGION Nicholas Orlowski, DCDC Sameer Pervez Shamsi, DCDC Ahmed El-Saied, DCDC Farhazuddin Adeeb Shaik, OSP Nedal Khader, RCDD Sameer Pervez Shamsi, RCDD Soumya Padmanabhan, RCDD Arivelavan Rajagopal, RCDD Russel Vincent Torres, RCDD Mohammad Ramadneh, RCDD Mohammad Asgar Khan, RCDD Odai Ramadneh, RCDD Hussein Ahmed, RCDD Vishnu Prakash, RCDD Anish Sasidharan, RCDD Prabhat Singh, RCDD Peter Andrew Lontoc, RTPM Jesus Llanes, TECH GLOBAL REGION CALA REGION Pedro Lerma Espinosa, RTPM CANADA Andrew Henneberry, DCDC Richard Hay, OSP Amir Hossein Akbarzadegan, RCDD
Ryan Walker, TECH Jon Stewart, TECH Ryne Griffin, TECH Jaylon Profitt, TECH Sage McMurray, TECH Jay Nitterhouse, TECH Ethan Burks, TECH Carson Hill, TECH Austin Duckworth, TECH Eric Robinson, TECH Tyler Wilson, TECH Daniel Hemphill, TECH Jennifer Roller, TECH Richard Parkhurst, TECH Blaze Taylor, TECH Kelsie Miller, TECH Brent Lauerman, TECH Eric Shibbish, TECH Zachary Tait, TECH Michael Mueller, TECH
Uma Unnikrishnan, RCDD Vinay Patil, RCDD Dipak Kumar, RCDD
Devin Pearson, TECH Nicholas Wills, TECH Brandon Yearling, TECH Matt Rickers, TECH Jose Trejo, TECH
Zachary Morales, RCDD Victoria Cordero, RCDD Casey Sisco, RCDD Raul Venegas, RCDD Christopher Prins, RCDD Austin Hinners, RCDD Nichole Whitley, RCDD Rob Lovick, RCDD Nicholas Sears, RTPM Carlisa Jackson, TECH Dustyn Patton, TECH Frankie Pannell Jr, TECH Hector Nunez, TECH Shane Shoemaker, TECH
SOUTHEAST ASIA Stuart Wilson, RCDD
U.S. NORTHEAST REGION Jason Merritt, RCDD Thomas Austin, RCDD Matthew Longo, RCDD Anastasia Fries, RCDD Jason Saltsman, RCDD Lukes Coakley, RTPM Matthew Kleeman, TECH
U.S. NORTH-CENTRAL REGION Jeffrey Christensen, DCDC Jennifer Cowell, DCDC Robert Myers, DCDC Daniel Ferneding, OSP John Pace, OSP Matthew Gilbert, RCDD Jeffrey Payne, RCDD Andy Schmidgall, RCDD Robert Lacey, RCDD Josh Karr, RCDD Brandon Sparks, RCDD Vu Pham, RCDD Brent Lackey, RCDD Braden Johnson, RCDD Joseph Daly, RCDD Benjamin Van Denend, RCDD Adrian Bednarz, RCDD Nathanael Cubbison, RCDD Christopher Dill, RTPM Jacob Di Vita, RTPM Anthony Golon, TECH
Clint Horne, TECH Caleb Hunt, TECH
Gregory Banda, TECH Stephen Dalton, TECH Darcy Tanner, TECH Landin Foreman, TECH John Steinmark, TECH Daniel Vedra, TECH Christopher Cronsell, TECH Charles Hall, TECH Matt Coover, TECH William Elling, TECH Stephen Hargis, TECH Joshua Oestreich, TECH Christopher Hargis, TECH Aaron Muse, TECH Dusty Hamilton, TECH U.S. SOUTHEAST REGION Colin Cassidy, RCDD Chandler Hershberger, RCDD John Gee, RCDD
William Mescanti, TECH Joseph Palladino, TECH Quran Gay, TECH Marlon Lyons, TECH Gianfranco Borgesi, TECH Robert Giannini, TECH Daniel Bearden, TECH Dana Bailey, TECHH Mark Pacheco, TECH U.S. SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION Robert Frick, RCDD Evan Long, RCDD Taylor Bottoms, RCDD Scott Rush, RCDD Jonathan Grigg, RCDD Lucas Sattman, RCDD Samuel Torres, RCDD Greg Brown, RCDD
Shane Hall, TECH Ashley Long, TECH
Jacob Dearden, TECH Thomas Anthony, TECH John Mantei, TECH Michael Smith, TECH Angela Panicucci, TECH Horace Nelson, TECH Joseph Diederichs, TECH Jessica Montfort, TECH Sandra Castro, TECHH Harry Medina, TECH Jermaine Lewis, TECH Francisco Moya, TECH Mary Lewis, TECH Jesse Peterson, TECH
Lovepreet Singh, RCDD Abdullah Khalifah, RCDD Daniel Morera, RCDD
Ronald Lloyd, TECH Gregory Buck, TECH Nick Boardman, TECH John DeBusk, TECH Dylan Taylor, TECH Ryan Stephens, TECH
INDIA Anoop Thottappallil Appukuttan, OSP
Charles Harris, RCDD Terry Rochester, RCDD
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New credential holders effective 1 February - 30 April 2023.
CERTIFICATION
U.S. SOUTHEAST REGION (CONTINUED)
Matthew Chavez, TECH Eric Voorhes, TECH Brian Martinez, TECH Kevin Linsley, TECH Michael Lucius, TECH Brandon Parry, TECH Erik Redd, TECH Derek Christmann, TECH Ryan Moline, TECH Ryan Walker, TECH William Maggiacomo, TECH Douglas Tryon, TECH
Eric Ortega, RCDD Andrew Jones, RCDD Ryan Nicholson, RCDD Corey Starbird, RCDD Richard Schneider, RCDD David Ben-Avides, RCDD Sirimang Danjo, RCDD James Smith, RCDD Jefferson Jimenez, RCDD Jesus Caballero, RCDD Jason Nguyen, RCDD Beomchel Noh, RCDD Jeffrey Brandon, RTPM Michael Hampton, RTPM Cody Bell, TECH
Cordellro Johnson, TECH Edward Cramer, TECH John Jakubowski, TECH Tyler St Gelais, TECH Michael Arrington, TECH Darwin Kellogg, TECH James Reno, TECH Nicholas Chronister, TECH Alberto Otoya, TECH U.S. WESTERN REGION
Jorgia Wooten, RCDD Joshua Gipson, RTPM Lee Williams, RTPM James Woodworth, RTPM Patrick Kearney, RTPM David Underwood, RTPM Frank Martin, RTPM Victor Hart, RTPM Hal Henderson, RTPM Sean Tighe, RTPM Mark Espinosa, RTPM Bradley Kautz, TECH Jerrell Govan, TECH
Justin Jenkins, OSP David Sanzi, OSP Benjamin Farris, RCDD Andrew Bell, RCDD
RCDD® Training Bun dle
RCDD Training Package Now Available
SET THE STANDARD WITH BICSI’S ICT CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE A BICSI Certification is more than passing an exam. It shows that you are an ICT professional who is ready to take on the rapidly developing ICT industry and elevate it to a new level.
6 CECs for $200 Those interested must call BICSI Customer Care at +1 813.979.1991 or 800.242.7405 (USA & Canada toll-free) to be eligible.
As an RCDD, you are eligible to enroll in the RCDD Training Bundle. This online training package of six online classes will allow you to earn six continuing education credits for the reduced price of $200.
PAGE 15
COMMUNITY CORNER
GET A PROFESSIONAL BOOST WITH BICSI MEMBERSHIP
As a professional association, BICSI provides valuable resources across the rapidly growing information and communications technology (ICT) industry, including cutting-edge credentialing programs, up-to-date publications, essential industry conferences, and top-notch training courses. The BICSI Membership Advantage offers numerous additional benefits that can take your career in ICT to the next level.
Member-only access to job postings from top industry employers.
Ability to volunteer on a BICSI committee or on the Board of Directors.
Significant discounts on our extensive library of courses, publications, and leading BICSI ICT certification exam application fees, as well as on our highly regarded conferences.
Chance to take advantage of BICSI’s mentorship program.
Industry recognition by demonstrating your dedication to staying at the forefront of the field.
Opportunities to network with a community of like-minded ICT professionals.
Access to exclusive member-only events, online and face-to-face.
Subscription to BICSI’s technical magazine, ICT Today.
Join BICSI today and take your ICT career to new heights with these and other benefits. To learn more or sign up, click here .
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COMMUNITY CORNER
More than Words from Women in BICSI “We Need to Make a Bigger Wave” By Betsy Conroy, Women in BICSI Chairperson
Women in BICSI has come a long way. We are an official BICSI-sanctioned Work- group under the Professional Development Subcommittee. We have an official Women in BICSI LinkedIn page with more than 250 participants. We hold webinars and publish this “More than Words” column in every issue of the BICSI Brief . Our annual Women in BICSI breakfast event at the BICSI Winter Conference garners more attention and attendees each year. An ICT Woman of the Year award is now presented at the annual BICSI awards banquet. And in 2020, BICSI swore in its first female Board President, Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS. I’m proud of these achievements, but also concerned. Despite conversations around gender diversity, we are making only tiny ripples. According to the 2022 Women in the Workplace Study , women are still dramatically underrepresented in leader- ship, encompassing only one in four C-suit executives. The study also indicates that only 87 women are promoted from entry-level to manager for every 100 men. For our industry, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that only 13 percent of network designers and installers are women, and we represent only 3 percent of the fiber optic workforce. And yet, there is plenty of opportunity! The American Institute of Architects expects commercial construction spending to continue increasing this year. Meanwhile, global fiber deployments are progressing with billions in investment and funding opportunities. If you attended the Tuesday key- note at the 2023 BICSI Winter Conference, you heard Rural Broadband Association
CEO Shirley Bloomfield discuss opportunities associated with the Biden Admin- istration’s $65 billion infrastructure deal to expand broadband across the U.S. She also talked about the lack of skilled labor and the opportunity to bring young people into the industry, including women. But a lot needs to happen to remove barriers and attract young female talent. I believe we need to: •Increase awareness of opportunities and career paths, starting in K-12 education and leveraging opportunities like career fairs and workshops at high schools and community colleges.
•Provide affordable and accessible training with paid apprenticeship programs for low-voltage technicians that offers competitive wages.
•Motivate and empower young women through mentorship, networking, and by setting an example.
Thankfully, these areas have some momentum. I recently spoke to Shirley Bloomfield. She told me about a K-12 guide that The Rural Broadband Association is creating with the National Rural Education Association (NREA), along with internship opportunities, “ride-alongs,” and job fairs. They are also working with Northwood Technical College and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to create training and appren- ticeship programs. I hope to see similar efforts within associations like BICSI for the in-building premise sector. PAGE 17
COMMUNITY CORNER
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If you’re a woman in the ICT industry, you can help by becoming a mentor through the BICSI Mentorship Program or other mentoring opportunities with your local high schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. You can lend your support and expertise to organizations like Girls Who Code , the National Girls Collaborative Project , and others. You can encourage diversity within your organization by hiring and promoting more women, recommending women for awards and recognition, and amplifying acknowledgment of female contributions. But one of the most impactful things ANY of us can do is to show other women that we are experts and integral to the ICT industry. So become a BICSI member to make your vote count, join Women in BICSI , volunteer on a committee , contribute to standards development , attend and speak at regional events and conferences , or write an article. And in whatever you do, take a front-row seat, raise your hand, and speak up, because the only way we will make a bigger wave is to normalize being seen and being heard.
GET THE BEST IN ICT INSTALLATION TRAINING TODAY TRAINING TODAY
Share Your Story with Women in BICSI We want to hear from women in the ICT industry. Please consider submitting your brief story, anecdote, or advice for a future "More than Words" column. Email to wib@bicsi.org . bicsi.org/wib
LEARN MORE bicsi.org/install
PAGE 18
COMMUNITY CORNER
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ICT Professionals Weigh in on the Future of the ICT Industry At the 2023 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition, representatives from BICSI conducted brief interviews with several individuals in the Exhibit Hall, asking one important question to celebrate 50 years of BICSI Conferences: “Where do you see ICT in the next 50 years?” The responses varied, from specific infrastructure advancements to a general call for young ICT professionals to step up and continue shaping the future of the industry. See your peers’ predictions by clicking the video below:
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BICSI REGION LETTERS
Message From Your Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regional Director
The BICSI Winter Conference is behind us, and it sure felt good to see everyone in person again. For me, a virtual conference is definitely not the same as an in-person one. I find so much value in face-to-face networking! But I’m sure many of you feel the same way based on the great attendance at all the recent BICSI events.
•Imposed twisted-pair cabling in the homes by regulation with a minimum number of outlets.
•Created the standard XP-C93-483 defining the architecture of home cabling, along with a new twisted-pair system allowing not only 10Gbase-T, but also broadcast TV up to 2150MHz. SOME THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER INCLUDE: •No mandatory technician qualification for the installation. This led to significant amounts of mistakes. This still hasn’t changed, but a limit to the number of levels of subcontracting is being implemented. •Testing was not mandatory for the home twisted-pair cabling. This, along with a lack of qualifications, was a recipe for disaster. This has since been corrected in the standard, and third-party site verification is being implemented. •Lack of coordinated organization of the patching in the fiber frames done by the technicians of the various service providers. Within only one year, many had become a spaghetti mess and had to be completely redone from the start. Rules are now being implemented. It will be very interesting to see how the various states in the USA implement the fiber deployment. I’m confident that BICSI will have an important role to play on the design, implementation, and technician qualification side.
One presentation from the conference, in particular, attracted my attention: “Making the Most of this Infrastructure Moment” from Shirley Bloomfield. It concerned the budget allocated to the deployment of fiber infrastructure in the USA. I’m based in France, where strong fiber deployment started long ago, but also where the COVID crisis accelerated things. Due to the significant increase of people working from home, that quality connection became essential to ensure good working conditions. We’re now past 80 percent of households connected, aiming for 95 percent within a couple years, and we’ve even started removing the copper infrastructure!
SOME GOOD THINGS WE DID INCLUDE: •Created the regulatory authority to set the rules: ARCEP.
•Created the legal framework to make it happen. At first, we wanted each home to be connected with four fibers to allow up to four service providers. But the cost was too high, and we had to find solutions for fair competition while only having a single fiber to each home. •Created the standard XP-C93-486 defining the architecture of the extension of the service provider cabling (twisted-pair, coaxial, and fiber) into the customer premise, and defining clear responsibilities of each party involved.
Gautier Humbert, RCDD Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regional Director Standards Coordinator, Digital Infrastructure, Legrand
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BICSI REGION LETTERS
Message From Your North-Central Regional Director
BICSI Executive Staff
Chief Executive Officer —John H. Daniels, CNM, FACHE, FHIMSS; jdaniels@bicsi.org Chief Finance and Operations Officer —Joe Sullivan; jsullivan@bicsi.org Chief Impact Officer —Gail Moore-Swaby, CPLP; gmooreswaby@bicsi.org General Counsel —George Parnell, Esq., Vice President of Certifications —Ronda V. Thomas, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CAE, Certified Credentialing Specialist; rvthomas@bicsi.org Vice President of Meeting Services —Melissa Cummiskey, CMP; mcummiskey@bicsi.org Vice President of Professional Development —Penni Ferguson, INST1, M.S.; pferguson@bicsi.org Director of Curriculum Development & Learning —Feleasah Rogers, M.A., MBA; frogers@bicsi.org Director, Membership, Volunteer Services, & Customer Experience —Dr. Reinaldo Llano Jr., MBA, DBA; rllano@bicsi.org Director of Human Resources —Bernie Currie, SHRM-CP, PHR; bcurrie@bicsi.org Director of IT —Christopher Muratore; cmuratore@bicsi.org Director of Publications —Clarke Hammersley; chammersley@bicsi.org Director of Standards —Jeff Silveira, CAE; jsilveira@bicsi.org Director of Training Delivery & Operations —Chris Hobbs, RCDD, DCDC, OSP, RTPM, CT; chobbs@bicsi.org Committee Chairs & Vice Chairs
In 2023, we find ourselves and the North-Central markets remaining very active with more work to accomplish, manage, and implement in support of our ICT Industry.
It’s a great time to ensure current certifications are maintained through continued education and consider your next BICSI certifications! Please log in to your bicsi.org account to verify your contact information and start your next education challenge! The upcoming 2023 Fall Conference will be held 10-14 September at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada. BICSI has secured special, reduced-rate hotels at Harrah’s, Flamingo, and The LINQ. In addition, early bird specials will be available for conference registration, so don’t delay! Volunteer with BICSI! This is your association and there are many opportunities to help shape it. From design and installation technical manuals to Technician outreach programs, there are volunteer needs that remain available on the website, awaiting your application! Visit bicsi.org/volunteer to find out more. I recently found a Student, Parent, and Educator area of the BICSI website, dedicated to supporting the development of ICT candidates within our industry. The content includes marketing videos, educational support, and guidance. This is a great resource to share with your local career centers!
BICSI Cares —Kent Gibson, RCDD and Jeffrey Westlund, RCDD Ethics —Peter P. Charland III, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, WD, RTPM, CET and George Fewell, RCDD
Finance & Audit —Beatriz Bezos, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, OSP, PE, PMP Leadership Development Committee —Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, NTS, OSP Past President's Council —Todd W. Taylor, RCDD, NTS, OSP
Professional Development —Alvin Gilmore, RTPM, TECH and Trevor Kleinert, RCDD, NTS, DCDC, TECH, CT Program Coordination —Michael A. Collins, RCDD, RTPM, CCDA, NCE and Matthew Odell, RCDD Registration & Credentials Supervision —Brian Hansen, RCDD, NTS, CSI and Heather Callaway, RCDD, LEED AP, CTS-D Standards —Denise Pappas and F. Patrick Mahoney, RCDD, CSI, CDT Technical Information & Methods —Robert “Bob” Hertling, RCDD, OSP and Philip Janeway, RCDD
Thank you, Dennis Severance, RCDD U.S. North-Central Regional Director President, Chapel-Romanoff Technologies, LLC
© BICSI, May 2023. All rights reserved. BICSI and all other registered trademarks within are property of BICSI, Inc.
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