Transtector wins $4.6M Air Force global strike command contract

Transtector Systems, part of Smiths Interconnect's Protection Technology Group, announced Tuesday the award of a $4.6 million contract from the U.S. Air Force global strike command. What Transtector calls its advanced "source region electromagnetic pulse electrical surge arrestor" hardened technology will be used to protect minuteman weapon systems.

Transtector's Hayden engineering labs have worked with the Air Force global strike command via a three-year test program to develop the nuclear hardened panels required to meet project specifications.

Shawn Thompson, president of Transtector, said: "We are pleased that our engineering expertise and design capabilities in EMP will be incorporated in a project of this magnitude and importance to national security. Our innovative EMP safe fail mechanism produced for this project will mitigate damaging Source Region EMP (electromagnetic pulse)."

The purchase of the panels will provide the strike command with a completely integrated electromagnetic pulse protection intended to work with its current systems.

Surge protection devices designed, developed and manufactured by Transtector Systems are specifically used to protect electrical and communications systems in military vehicles, watercraft, aircraft and facilities.

Cory Lewis named 2010 Physical Therapist of the Year

Cory Lewis, of River City Physical Therapy in Coeur d'Alene, last month received the "2010 Physical Therapist of the Year" award at the Idaho Physical Therapy Association's annual conference in Sun Valley.

Lewis was recognized for his leadership and enthusiasm for the physical therapy profession, serving on both local and national levels. The award recipient must be nominated and voted on by peers. He is involved in organizing physical therapy events for the five counties of North Idaho, and has been recently elected as the vice president of the Idaho association.

In June of this year, he represented Idaho as a delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association in Boston. He recently earned a specialty certification in orthopedic physical therapy. Lewis is a native of Kellogg.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing named to Franchise Times top 200 list

Franchise Times magazine recognized Mr. Rooter Plumbing, which has a franchise in Hayden, in its top 200 list for 2010.

This annual list ranks the top 200 franchises based on worldwide sales. Mr. Rooter Plumbing ranks No. 186.

To qualify for this ranking, a company must be a U.S. franchise with at least 15 percent of its total units owned or operated by independent franchisees. Companies must also be based in the United States or have at least 15 percent of its total units in the United States.

Peter Grubb to speak

at KEA lunch meeting

Kootenai Environmental Alliance supporter Peter Grubb, of ROW Adventures, will speak at the alliance lunch meeting at noon on Thursday, Dec. 2, about the lawsuit against the Idaho Transportation Department opposing the proposed megaload shipments of massive oil equipment up the Highway 12 Lochsa River corridor.

Grubb is one of three plaintiffs fighting the complex legal battle to keep Highway 12 from being used for hauling the equipment.

Grubb owns the River Dance Lodge along the Clearwater River in North Central Idaho, whose guests he believes would be impacted by the shipments.

Just before Thanksgiving, a hearing examiner at the Idaho Transportation Department agreed with Grubb and his fellow plaintiffs that they indeed had standing to challenge the shipments. The department also has agreed to hold formal case hearings on the shipments in Boise next week.

This meeting is free and open to the public.

If you have a new, relocated or expanded business, or announcement of events, promotions or awards, The Press wants to let our readers know. The service is free and items run Tuesday through Saturday. To get the word on the street on your movers and shakers, call city editor Bill Buley at 664-8176 Ext. 2016 or e-mail bbuley@cdapress.com.