Mary Baeten
PRESIDENT
MCB Industries
De Pere, WI
Mary Baeten is President of MCB Industries, Inc. a company she started to solve fastener problems found in airfield lighting. She attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for their Prototype and Design program and is a graduate of both St. Norbert College and Northern Illinois University. She also worked at IBM as a Customer Engineer servicing copiers, typewriters and IPE equipment. She also worked for Chronatron Welding systems and graduated from their welding classes. Mary has been working in the industrial maintenance field for 20 years and has concentrated her efforts in solving fastener problems for airfield lighting for the last 15 years. She has presented at both IESALC and CANEW, organizations that specialize in airfield lighting. She has designed several new fastening systems to ensure that the light fixtures remain connected to the airfield light bases. In addition, MCB Industries has conducted extensive testing on innovative improvements that make for safer bolted connections of airport lighting. Within the airfield lighting community she has earned the nickname "Mary Queen of Bolts" for her extensive knowledge of bolts and bolted joints.
Seward Ford
PRESIDENT
Visual Aids Services
Windsor, CT
Seward Ford is a graduate electrical engineer and has been associated with the airport. Lighting industry for nearly 50 years. He was employed by Crouse-Hinds Airport Lighting Products for a number of years holding various positions during his tenure including Manager of Engineering and Marketing Manager. Mr. Ford is currently President of Visual Aids Services that provides various support and consulting services for the visual aids industry. He has worked on several FAA development projects including an LED RWSL system that utilized a more efficient power distribution system. He currently works as an instructor for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Airport lighting Maintenance ACE Course and is an associate of Navaid Lighting Associates, providing specialized training and consulting in all phases of the airport lighting industry. He was technical advisor for 10 years to the United States IEC subcommittee TC 97 which is generating recognized worldwide standards for airport lighting. Mr. Ford is a member emeritus and past chairman of the Illuminating Engineering Society Airport Lighting Committee. He chaired the Illuminating Engineering Society subcommittee that formulated with FAA the industry third party testing program for certification of airfield lighting products to FAA advisory circulars qualification requirements. He has worked on the upgrading and development of various FAA Advisory Circulars and has contributed a number of technical papers during his career.
Hotel Accommodations
All events (except where noted in the agenda) are being held at the Desoto Savannah, 15 East Liberty Street, Savannah, GA; phone 866.810.5325. We have secured two separate room blocks. The first room block is for all Non-Federal or Non-Military attendees. You will receive a special rate of $239 single/double, plus tax. The second room block is a per-diem rate for Federal and Military attendees. You will receive a special government per diem rate of $147 single/double, plus tax. Please note, you must provide appropriate documentation at check-in or you will be charged the higher rate.
The last day to receive either of these discounted rates Thursday, March 14, 2024. Rooms may sell out before this date, so make your reservations early. You can call the hotel directly at 866.810.5325 and tell them you are with the Industrial Aviation Workshop or book online directly using the following links:
