PITTSFIELD - Four staff members of Lightning Technologies, Inc., an engineering and test facility located at 10 Downing Parkway, purchased the company on March 5, 1999, from its founders, J. Anderson (Andy) and Margaret (Meg) G. Plumer of Dalton. The new owners are Mary I. Cancilla, Edward J. Rupke and Kenneth G. Wiles of Pittsfield and Michael M. Dargi of Washington.

"In January 1998, I decided to formulate a plan for succession of ownership of the company, to enable appropriate leadership to come into place and to realize a goal for long-term growth," Andy Plumer said. "The change of ownership and leadership is what I believe is best for the company's future, and has my approval and encouragement."

"We feel that this was the best strategy to ensure that the company continues to grow into the next century," said Wiles, the firm's new president. "It allows Andy to continue as our chief engineer and devote more time to the teaching and engineering work he enjoys as we transition to a period of additional growth."

Wiles, a former vice president, has been with the company for more than 15 years, during which he has pioneered development of lightning protection design and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification test procedures for advanced commercial and military aircraft. Dargi, a project engineer who has contributed significantly to development of the lightning test laboratory during more than 16 years with the firm, is now vice president of Test & Facilities.

Rupke, a senior engineer with more than nine years at Lightning Technologies, has been responsible for the company's participation in the U.S. government's support of the small aircraft revitalization program, sponsored in part by the late U.S. Congressman Silvio O. Conte. Rupke is now vice president of Sales & Marketing. Cancilla, who's been with the firm for more than 12 years, will continue in her role as office manager with increased responsibilities in company operations and personnel management. Andy Plumer will remain on staff as chief engineer.

Lightning Technologies, Inc. maintains one of the world's most skilled lightning protection design engineering staffs and most complete simulated-lightning test laboratories. The laboratories include specialized equipment that simulates all the electrical characteristics of natural lightning as well as the transients it induces in electrical and electronic systems.

Some of the more significant projects that the company has been or is presently involved with include lightning protection of civilian and military aircraft, as well as aircraft engines and electrical and avionics systems. The company also has served as a lightning protection consultant for Walt Disney World's Epcot Center, Typhoon Lagoon and Wild Animal Kingdom, as well as NASA's space shuttle and Cape Canaveral launch facilities, and many telecommunication, electrical utility, and oil and gas facilities.