Released on April 23, 2008

The Casting Industry Suppliers Association (CISA) focused on the theme of “Environmental Challenges in the Metalcasting Industry” during its 90th Spring Conference, March 16-18.

The conference, held at the Hilton El Conquistador, Tucson, Ariz., was attended by 68 CISA members, including members of the CISA Credit Group.

Presentations during the three-day event included a talk on sustainability by Jerry Clancy, Fairmount Minerals, Chardon, Ohio; insights into the mining of precious metals by Janet Daniels, Freeport, McMoran Coper & Gold, Miami, Ariz.; and a company profile on new CISA member S&B Industrial Minerals Inc., Cold Spring, Ky., by Vic LaFay, CISA first vice president.

John Kurtz, Kurtz Brothers Inc., Independence, Ohio, discussed how to make the change from “Waste to Resource,” and Jim Schifo, Keramida Environmental, Indianapolis, focused on the solutions to challenges posed by governmental regulatory issues. Keynote speaker Beth Terry, Beth Terry Seminars Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., addressed the challenges facing businesses in a broader sense with her presentation “Managing Change & Stress.”

The guest dinner speaker was the controversial Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The sheriff, who is well known nationally and internationally for his no-nonsense approach to the treatment of criminals, gave his views regarding treatment of inmates in the third largest jail in North America. Almost all of them live in Korean War surplus tents due to the overcrowded jail, which has earned their residence the name “Tent City.”