ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is pleased to announce the election of David M. Tallman, vice president and general manager, Residential Products Division, Eaton/Cutler-Hammer, as chairman of ESFI's Board of Directors. The election was held during ESFI's annual board of directors meeting on Nov. 11 in Washington, DC.

Tallman, a member of ESFI's board since 2001, joined Eaton in 1992, and has held his current position there since 2001. Prior to joining Eaton, he was with Group Schneider and General Electric. He succeeds former CSA Group Vice President Grant J. Carter, who was elected to the board of directors in 1998 and served as vice chair from 2002 to 2004.

Re-elected were Treasurer Evan R. Gaddis, president and CEO of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association; and Secretary Barbara Guthrie, director of consumer affairs at Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Several new members were elected to the board: James France, manager P & C underwriting, State Farm Insurance Companies; Milos Jancik, president and CEO of Electro-Federation Canada; Randall Luecke, president, CSA International; Thomas Naber, president/publisher, National Association of Electrical Distributors; Dennis Sadlowski, CEO, Siemens Energy and Automation; and Paul T. Stalknecht, president and CEO, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

"That so many top executives in the North American electrical industry publicly support ESFI is a testament to the value of the Foundation's work," said ESFI President Brett C. Brenner.

"ESFI's officers and board members will ensure ESFI's continued success in educating both consumers and electrical professionals about the importance of safe electrical practices."

Out-going President Grant Carter and retiring board member William J. Boehm, president & CEO, Connector Manufacturing Company, were acknowledged for their service to the organization at ESFI's Board of Directors Dinner on Nov. 10.

Founded in 1994 through a joint effort between Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is North America's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home and workplace. ESFI is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by electrical manufacturers and distributors, independent testing laboratories, utilities, safety and consumer groups, and trade and labor associations. ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns and proactive media relations to help reduce property damage, personal injury and death due to electrical accidents. The Foundation does not engage in code or standard writing or lobbying and does not solicit individuals.

For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation's Web site at http://www.electrical-safety.org/ or call 703-841-3229.

CONTACT: Lissa D. Hurwitz, Program Manager of Electrical Safety
Foundation International, +1-703-841-3291, lis_hurwitz@esfi.org

Web site: http://www.electrical-safety.org/