Eaton Pledge Takes IEC Foundation Endowment Fund Pledges Over the $1 Million Mark

August 7, 2012 PITTSBURGH …Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has demonstrated its strong commitment to the Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation (IECF), IEC contractor members and local chapters. In an announcement made by Dave Bucklew, vice president, Sales – Americas Region, Eaton, the IECF will receive a five-year pledge from Eaton for a total of $250,000. Eaton also renewed its commitment to provide equipment for local chapter training centers. This pledge, when combined with Eaton's prior generosity to the IEC, establishes Eaton as the founding member of the IECF Chairman's Advisory Council.

The IEC Foundation was established in 1996 with a mission to create educational opportunities introducing and guiding individuals to successful and satisfying careers in the electrical and communications industries. The major goal is to improve the quality of life and create a better world; to build better families, homes, cities, schools and businesses; and to make the world a better functioning place to live.

"Eaton has a long standing relationship with the Association and Foundation and we wanted to deepen that relationship by supporting the mission and goals of the IEC Foundation," said Bucklew. "Eaton looks forward to supporting the IECF, and the electrical industry as a whole, through our continued collaboration with IECF."

The funds will be used to support the IECF Endowment Fund, annual scholarship programs and operating fund. "The entire IEC community owes a debt of gratitude to Eaton for its vision and dedication to the Foundation mission, said Jeff Heitker, chairman, IECF. "This commitment is a great boost for IEC contractor members and the local chapters and will be used wisely to help support training and education for IEC members and apprentices."

Larry Mullins, senior vice president, IECF, thanked Eaton Corporation, Dave Bucklew and Jim Golly, Eaton's strategic accounts manager, for making this all a reality. "These gentlemen have been steadfast supporters of everyone associated with IECF and we are fortunate to have them in the industry." Mullins added that a more formal acknowledgement will take place at the upcoming IEC Annual Convention in October in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information about the grant and the IECF, please contact Larry Mullins at 703.626.272l.

Eaton's electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, power monitoring, and energy management products and services. Eaton is positioned, through its global electrical product series and solutions, to answer today's most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with more than 100 years of experience providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. With 2011 sales of $16.0 billion, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.