New chair for IPAF North American Regional Council

A new chair has been named for the North American Regional Council (NARC) of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), with Brian Clark, Director of Product Support at Sunbelt Rentals, taking up the role from Jan 1, 2023. He replaces Ebbe Christensen, President & CEO of Ruthmann Reachmaster, who completes an extended period as chair of the NARC.    

Tony Groat, IPAF’s North America Regional Manager, comments: “We welcome Brian to the Chair of the NARC, and look forward to his expertise and knowledge helping lead the way and set the agenda in terms of IPAF’s ongoing work to promote the safe and effective use of powered access across North America.  

“Brian has been an enthusiastic supporter of IPAF across nearly three decades in product support roles at Sunbelt, and we are sure that the NARC has the right person to lead us forward over the next few years. We wish him all the best in the role. 

“We also extend our gratitude to Ebbe Christensen, who has been an exceptional leader for this council since he took up the chair in 2018, and we give special thanks for his steadying presence, after he extended what would normally be a two-year term to four years owing both to the pandemic and the fact that the planned incoming chair Bal Guerrero was unable to take up the role, after he left his position with United Rentals.” 

The IPAF NARC helps set key objectives for the federation in North America, assisting spread the word on safety, standards compliance, the value of quality operator and supervisor training, and works together with other industry bodies including the SAIA and OSHA to ensure work at height using MEWPs, MCWPs and hoists is as safe as it can be across the continent. 

Brian Clark comments: “I’d like to personally thank Ebbe and all prior chairs for their leadership of this council. I look forward to working closely with the North American Regional Council, IPAF’s members and the wider industry to address key issues and topics that impact their regional markets, and to continue to promote the safe use of MEWPs, MCWPs and hoists.”    

Groat concludes: “Thanks to both Ebbe and Bal for their guidance, commitment, and unstinting support for the mission of IPAF; I and all members of the council are sure that when Brian assumes the chair he will build on prior successes and introduce more positive results for our members and industry.”