Sandy Cutler is a visionary who understands what makes a team and a company work.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Lombardi was a true visionary and knew how to build a winning team. Just like Lombardi, this year’s recipient of the Bernard H. Falk award, Alexander “Sandy” Cutler, is a visionary who understands what makes a team and a company work. Sandy is being recognized tonight for his long-term leadership and outstanding contributions to the electroindustry and to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)—making the world a better place for all to live.

When Sandy became chairman and CEO, much had been accomplished, but much was left to be done. Eaton’s businesses were largely stovepiped, with little interaction between them. This traditional business model, where decisions are made by a select, rarified few and handed down as edicts, was contrary to Sandy’s vision of what makes a company work. Firmly believing that employees are more motivated and productive when they are committed to a group effort and have a role in an organization’s direction, he involved a large group in the process of setting goals that everyone could work together to achieve. He served as a “change agent,” motivating his workforce to become a focused, productive, and successful team.

 

Today, due to Sandy’s vision, Eaton is well on its way to meeting his goal of being at the top of its field in a global marketplace.

 

While he may be best known for his business leadership in guiding his company and his association into a new era of success, Sandy has made just as large an impact as a community leader. His genuine commitment to community—whether within NEMA or his adopted city of Cleveland—is reflected in the considerable time and resources that he has invested over the years. In addition to serving as chairman of NEMA, Sandy is a board member of KeyCorp, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Electrical Manufacturers Club and the Musical Arts Association. He is also a member of the Yale University Development Board and the Yale Alumni Association of Cleveland.

 

Sandy has long been recognized by his manufacturing peers as an extraordinarily effective and committed leader, always placing the needs of the industry first. As NEMA’s Chairman in 1997, he was known as a top corporate executive who always had time to devote to his governance duties in the association.

 

In more recent years, he has focused on and offered vocal support for the need to educate America’s next generation of skilled workers and to retrain the workforce in a rapidly changing economy. His passion and knowledge of the issue have made him a widely respected spokesman for U.S. manufacturing.

 

The one word used more often than any other to describe this year’s Falk Award winner is integrity. “Personal ethics have to be the basis from which people make decisions in business,” he says. Indeed, as a result of his leadership style, Eaton this year was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine. “It’s about doing business right through internal philosophies and customer commitments,” Sandy explains. “We’ll lose business before we compromise our values.” Such is his legacy with NEMA.

 

From his dedication to workforce education, to his commitment to community, to his renowned integrity, Sandy Cutler has, over the years, left an indelible, positive mark on NEMA and the electrical industry. He is a most deserving recipient of this most prestigious award.