This piece was originally published in the January/February 2019 issue of electroindustry.

Charles W. Denny, a Falk Award recipient and former Member of the NEMA Board of Governors, died in November 2018, leaving a legacy of technological and trade achievement, marketing and managerial excellence, and dedication to his family.

In presenting the Falk Award in 2001, then–NEMA Chairman Peter McIlroy called him “a hardworking leader who is committed to doing the right things for his company and for the industry.”

In 1960, Mr. Denny began his career in the electroindustry in his family-owned business, Barkelew Electric Manufacturing Company, which was acquired by Square D in 1967. In 1997, he became Chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, focusing on major opportunities of development for the company (particularly in North America), global account management, and enhancing relationships with customers and distributors. He retired in 2000 to spend more time with his family.

While serving as chairman of the NEMA Board of Governors, Mr. Denny pushed the organization to be more global in its endeavors, leading a successful trade mission to Brazil, which later led to the opening of a NEMA office in São Paulo, followed by a second international office in Mexico City. He was also one of the first contributors to the NEMA political action committee, NEMAPAC.