Steve Shaughnessy, president of Skyjack (left) takes over as IPAF president from John Ball, managing director of Height for Hire Ireland (right). In the center is Tim Whiteman, IPAF managing director.

Steve Shaughnessy, recently named president of aerial work platform manufacturer Skyjack Inc., was last week elected president of the International Powered Access Federation at its annual general meeting.

Shaughnessy succeeds John Ball of Height for Hire Ireland, and brings more than 25 years of experience in the access business. He will serve a two-year term and advance the objectives of IPAF to promote the safe and effective use of powered access around the world. Shaughnessy, now based at Skyjack’s Guelph, Ontario, Canada headquarters, is the first U.S. citizen to become president of IPAF.

Shaughnessy grew up working in the family business Shaughnessy Crane Service in Boston and later ran its aerial rental division. Shaughnessy served as regional vice president and chief operating officer of NES Rentals, and was director of the access business for U.K.-based A-Plant. Shaughnessy also served as managing director of Loxam’s U.K. business before joining Skyjack.

Shaughnessy said he will “carry on with the project of ensuring that North American access rental and training companies are familiar with the benefits of IPAF’s powered access training programs. It is essential that operators in the largest access market in the world receive the opportunity to be trained to work at height safely and efficiently. IPAF will support the creation and expansion of national members’ councils to give a better voice to those members regarding the provision of services in the Federation and IPAF will also develop a process for enabling operators of access equipment in countries not currently supported by the Federation to benefit from its training programs.”

“Steve’s unique experience from both sides of the Atlantic make him ideal as IPAF president,” said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman. “His background in access rentals and manufacturing, spanning across the U.S. and the U.K., will be very useful as IPAF grows its activities around the globe.”