Who are 'Bud and Gus'
anyway?

Larry Chambley (center) of USA Harness was presented the
"Bud and Gus" award at the Spring WHMA convention by
Dennis Melugin (left) and Fred Knaack (right).

Fred Knaack, publisher of Wiring Harness News, and Dennis Melugin, president,
Lancor Incorporated — are the originators of the Bud and Gus award, named
in memory of their fathers, Gus Knaack and Bud Melugin.

"Our dads belonged to the Wire Association International (WAI), which is
how they got to be such good friends," relates Knaack, who also is the founder
of WHMA. "They were your typical hard-working guys from the late '30s and
'40s who put in 12 hours a day, six days a week, doing whatever it took to get
their businesses up and running."

"The names, 'Bud and Gus,' remind me of 'blood and guts,' which is what our
fathers put into building their companies," adds Melugin. "Both were interested
in having an organization to help promote the wire harness manufacturing
industry, so this award is not only a tribute to their efforts, but also a recognition
of those WHMA members who freely give of their time and talents for the
betterment of our association"

Since its inception, three WHMA members have earned the annual Bud and
Gus award. They are:

Mike Williams, vice president, Unlimited Services. As WHMA's first chairman,
he was instrumental in getting the association on its feet.

Judy Wilson Shepherd, president, Wilco Wire Technology, Inc. The overseer
of WHMA's committee chairs, she's been the ramrod who has kept committee
business moving along.

Bill Brown, engineer, Squires Electronics, Inc. He wrote the specifications
for the association's first web site and, as the co-chair of WHMA's Internet
Oversight Committee, provides continuous input on the upgrading of WHMA's
new web site: www.whma.org.

The above article was reprinted from the August/September issue of Wire Taps,
a publication for and about members of the Wiring Harness Manufacturers
Association. The photo is courtesy of WHMA.

The 2001 Bud and Gus Award was presented to Larry Chambly of USA Harness
in Winnsboro, Texas.

Larry Chambley's company has participated in the Wiring Harness Manufacturers
Association since it started in 1993. He has served as a director the past four years,
and during the same period he headed the Membership Committee. He recently
was elected treasurer, and his board service will continue into 2004.

For further information on the Wiring Harness Manufacturers Association contact Internet: http://www.whma.org