Celebrating the Best in the Industry – IEC National Award Winner Showcase 2020

Residential: Multi-family residences to three stories, including senior housing facilities

Coastal Electric of Georgia
IEC of Georgia PARC at Pooler

Coastal Electric of Georgia was recognized for its work on the PARC at Pooler project.

PARC at Pooler is a AAA luxury multi-family community consisting of eight buildings housing 280 units, five garage units for additional storage and parking, and an elevator. The property includes a state-of-the-art clubhouse, pool, mailroom, and gym facility.

Coastal Electric was tasked with wiring all 280 units to include fire alarms, surge protection, low voltage data, and smart home features such as wireless door locks, internet-controlled lighting, and thermostats, in addition to property-wide entry control. Decorative site lighting was wired throughout the property and included bollards, five lighted fountains, and a full-service clubhouse with meeting rooms, gym and locker rooms, kitchen, recreation room, restrooms, and a mailroom. The elevators in all eight buildings, as well as the five garage buildings, were all fully wired.

Residential: Multi-family, mid-rise buildings above three stories

1st Electric Contractors, Inc.
IEC Rocky Mountain
The Quayle / 101 Broadway

1st Electric Contractors, Inc. was recognized for its work on the Quayle/101 Broadway.

The Quayle is a 102-unit, 5 story, redeveloped multifamily/mixed use building which includes 11,000 square feet of retail space. This project restored and expanded the condemned 112-year-old First Avenue Hotel into studio and 1-bedroom micro apartment units. The building provides desperately needed affordable housing for low income renters in the vibrant and diverse Baker neighborhood.

1st Electric Contractors, Inc. was tasked with removing an existing overhead service and replacing it with a new 3000-amp underground service; installing a 150,000-watt diesel generator to supply emergency power for egress lighting and elevators, and incorporating a manual transfer switch with an automatic transfer switch for switching between sources of power. The company provided and installed new LED light fixtures inside the building and refurbished two original sconces that light the exterior of the main entrance.

Commercial: Electrical contract amounts up to $500,000

IHG Consulting LLC
IEC Kentucky/Southern Indiana
Mill Creek Baptist Church Facility Upgrades

IHG Consulting LLC was recognized for its work on the Mill Creek Baptist Church Facility Upgrades project.

The work on this project consisted of building a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility that could seat the current membership, allow room for growth, provide additional classrooms, and a new children’s area for the growing community. The unique aspect was interlocking all three facilities for full usage and simulcasting if necessary.

IHG Consulting LLC was tasked with the electrical, low voltage, and sound/lighting design for the full facility as well as the complete install of all systems. The company also assisted in the new HVAC design and install of the controls for the new cassette style system that allowed different areas of the building to be both heated and cooled at the same time. In addition, IHG assisted with the design and install of an independent sewage treatment facility that would treat waste in a biodegradable manner and send clean water into the surrounding areas.

Commercial: Electrical contract amounts from $500,001 to $1,500,000

Central Electric
IEC San Antonio

San Antonio Botanical Gardens Center Phase II

Central Electric was recognized for its work with the San Antonio Botanical Gardens Center Phase II project.

For many years, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens Center has flourished as a tranquil experience for visitors. Since the 1940s when the garden was first conceived, it has been a gem in the San Antonio community. Situated on a 38-acre site, the Center serves as a living museum of native and imported plant life for visitors to appreciate, learn from, and enjoy.

Central Electric took on a multi-year expansion and upgrade project of the botanical gardens which included a new administration building and the start of the Betty Kelso Center.

Central Electric worked on the design and installation of branch conduit and boxes, branch wiring, feeder conduit, feeder wiring, distribution/gear installation, fixture installation and trim out, low voltage rough-in, sitework, and demolition. Central Electric began its services in November of 2018 and performed 16,125 hours of work on the project.

Commercial: Electrical contract amounts from $1,500,001 to $3,000,000

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated
IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Lytle Park Hotel

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated (OVES) was recognized for its work on The Lytle Park Hotel, An Autograph Collection project.

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated was selected to complete the redevelopment of the former Anna Louise Inn which was built in 1909. The project entailed transforming this historic structure into a five-star boutique hotel.

OVES provided and installed new interior and exterior lighting, including street scape lighting, and installed all the owner provided specialty fixtures including the Crown Jewel, one of the largest interior fixtures they had ever installed, weighing over 5,000 pounds and placed above the bar area of the luxury hotel. OVES also installed new wiring in the guest rooms, suites, and common areas, as well as wiring the kitchen and mechanical equipment. Additionally, OVES installed new electrical service, gate controls, and communications to an offsite valet parking lot located a block away via underground conduits.

Commercial: Electrical contract amounts from $3,000,001 to $7,000,000

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated
IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Xavier Health United

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated (OVES) was recognized for its work on the Xavier Health United Building.

Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Incorporated was selected by Xavier University, Tri Health, and Messer Construction to complete the Xavier University Health United Building (HUB). These $56 million multipurpose buildings are located on Xavier’s Cincinnati campus. The design assist LEED Gold project was completed in April of 2020.

The HUB includes a fitness and recreation center, health and counseling center, and the health and science academic building. The three areas make up a four-level, 163,300 square-foot state-of-the-art academic and recreation facility.

OVES installed all the power, fire alarm, security, and audio to the facility along with light fixtures and lighting controls. The Acuity lighting control package utilized occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, and automatic window shades to meet LEED Gold Standards.

Commercial: Electrical contract amounts over $7,000,000

APG
IEC Florida West Coast Chapter
St. Joseph’s Hospital North – Vertical Expansion

APG was recognized for its work on the St. Joseph’s Hospital North-Vertical Expansion.

APG was contracted to provide the electrical engineering, and electrical, fire alarm, and structured cabling systems on the vertical expansion of St. Joseph’s Hospital – North. 123,000 square feet were added to the hospital by constructing two new stories on the existing roof, adding 108 new patient care beds and doubling the facility’s capacity. The job was complex and required the systematic demolition of existing rooftop equipment that would be replaced by new equipment on the extended roof, all while maintaining service to the existing hospital.

Approximately 156 patient room headwalls were installed, all of which were carefully coordinated to include power, nurse call, and medical gas devices. APG technicians installed nearly 800 data drops, 2,900 receptacles and switches, 242,000 feet of conduit, and over 185 miles of wire!

Industrial: Electrical contract amounts from $500,001 to $1,500,000

Wagner Electric
IEC of Kentucky/Southern Indiana
R.T. Vanderbilt Dryer Project

Wagner Electric was recognized for its work on the R.T. Vanderbilt Dryer Project.

Wagner Electric provided materials, labor, supervision, and design assistance for the R. T. Vanderbilt Dryer Project, a five-story structure housing a new industrial spray dryer in Murray, Kentucky. The project included new distribution, motor control centers, PLC controls systems, rigid conduit installation, and cable tray wiring.

As the project began, Wagner built an enclosed building adjacent to the new five story structure to enclose the new spray dryer, and designed a combination bending and threading station to support the rigid conduit installation. A containment basin was included to handle oil spills if needed, and a welding area enabled Wagner to handle fabrication of supports, equipment mounting stands, and structure modifications.

This $1.5 million project was essentially completed by just two men – a main electrician and one other. This was a first for Wagner Electric.

Industrial: Electrical contract amounts from $3,000,001 to $7,000,000

Weifeld Group Contracting
IEC Rocky Mountain
ECCV North & South Booster Pump Stations

Weifeld Group Contracting was recognized for its work on the ECCV North & South Booster Pump Stations Project.

The goal of the East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District’s North & South Booster Pump Stations project (ECCV) was to increase the ECCV district’s water distribution by an additional ten million gallons per day to add more capacity to the system. The water transports 32 miles from the owner’s Reverse Osmosis plant to the ECCV distribution facility, making it necessary to complete the project before the expansion to ECCV’s new Reverse Osmosis plant was built.

Weifeld Group Contracting upgraded ECCV’s service by increasing the capability of the medium voltage equipment due to the need for increased motor horse power at both locations, constructing two new pump buildings, and installing two new medium voltage pumps at each station. The North Booster Pump Station also included a chemical system remodel which was completed without interruption to existing operations.

Industrial: Electrical contract amounts over $7,000,000

Industrial Power Solutions
IEC of Arizona
Union Hills Water Treatment Plant

Industrial Power Solutions was recognized for its work on the Union Hills Water Treatment Plant Project.

Industrial Power Solutions was chosen to take on the complex Union Hills Water Treatment Plant project. The plant was shut down for four months with an aggressive schedule to replace over 70% of the existing electrical system involving over 150,000 wire terminations within that time frame.

Coordination of the construction was complex and included extensive interaction with Arizona Public Service (APS). Although the plant did not produce water during the four-month shutdown, it still needed to maintain some key operations for other City of Phoenix services. Multiple plans and procedures were created with the city to coordinate power switching so that these key facilities where either fed from the A or B source.

Energy Efficient/Green Construction: Electrical contract amounts from $1,500,001 to $3,000,000

TMI Electric
IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Wadsworth 8.5MW Solar Tracker Array

TMI Electric was recognized for its work on the Wadsworth 8.5MW Solar Tracker Array project.

TMI Electric successfully installed an 8.5 megawatt PV Tracker Array on a 31-acre tract in Wadsworth, Ohio for the local municipal electric utility company. TMI installed all medium voltage wiring, AC and DC wiring, modules and inverters required for the complete electrical interconnect to the utility grid. TMI also worked with the local utility to provide all requirements for the solar installation.

The electricity from the solar array will reduce the amount of electricity purchased by the municipal utility and provide them with years of sustainable electrical generation.

Low-Voltage/Limited Energy Systems Construction

Alarm & Communications Systems, Inc.
Florida West Coast Chapter
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School

Alarm & Communications Systems, Inc. was recognized for its work on the Dr. Mona Jain Middle School project.

The Manatee County School District endeavored to build the Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, a 62,000 square foot facility with a price tag of $45,000,000. The school’s 27-acre campus has the capacity to serve over 1100 middle school students in 6th through 8th grades.

Alarm & Communications Systems, Inc. undertook the project and the installation of an Interlogix’s Modular Hub Intrusion Solution; a Vivotek IP based camera system; a Siemens Cerberus Pro Modular Voice Evacuation Fire Alarm System; an audio visual and room divider; and a Bogen Nyquist E7000 IP Intercom system.

Service Contractor of the Year: 16-50 Service Employees

Metro Electric
IEC Rio Grande Valley

Metro Electric, Inc., was recognized for its commitment to excellent customer service.

Metro Electric is a customer-oriented company where listening empathetically to customers’ concerns and needs is a priority. Its employees are empowered to make decisions as needed to help solve its customers’ needs.

Metro Electric provides mentoring, IEC training, and continuing education for all technicians.

Despite the many obstacles imposed by COVID-19, Metro Electric’s employees have persevered and have risen to the challenge.

Instructor of the Year

Richard Bird
Shea’s Electrical
IEC New England

In the words of Allie French, executive director of IEC New England, “the driving force behind an individual becoming a teacher is their passion to educate and pass their knowledge onto others.” Rich Bird is a testament to this statement.

Rich has been teaching with IEC New England for 22 years and has developed a dynamic teaching style that allows for all types of learners to be successful. Through lecture, discussion, exploration, and inquiry, Rich keeps students engaged and learning.

Giving back to the trade is an important part of his desire to teach students successfully and make an impression on their careers. Over the years, he has become an integral part of promoting and growing IEC on both a national and local level. Nationally, he has and will continue to attend and promote conventions and other conferences, encouraging his peers to do the same.

Rich serves on IEC New England’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Apprenticeship and Training Committee, and Continuing Education Committee, and has recently agreed to join the Errata and Code Update Committees.

As an Apprenticeship Instructor, Rich has completed his Level 1 and 2 National instructor certifications. He is in the process of completing Level 3, and will be only the second instructor to achieve this milestone.

Additionally, Rich is a Continuing Education instructor and an instructor for IEC New England’s E1 and E2 prep courses which he aided in creating. He collaborates with all instructors across the board and ensures they have the necessary tools and resources to be successful.

IEC Apprenticeship Alumni Award

Steve Moore
Cox Electric
IEC Oregon

“Steve is what I would consider an “old school” IEC guy,” said Zandi Cox of Cox Electric in Oregon. He graduated from the IEC Apprenticeship program when it was a new program and returned as a Journeyman to volunteer his labor in building the technical training building.

Steve has always been a merit shop electrician, through good times and the Great Recession. He has developed a wealth of knowledge from years of work in all different disciplines of our trade, including commercial, residential, industrial, and motor controls. This past year, Steve passed the Oregon General Electrical Signing Supervisors Exam to earn his Oregon “master electrician” license.

He has trained countless IEC apprentices over the years as both a journeyman and as an instructor at the Area II Salem Independent Electrical Training program. He was honored with the IEC Oregon Commitment to Education Award and was nominated for the IEC National Educator of the Year award, and has consistently attended and participated as judge in both local and national apprentice wire-off competitions.

Steve’s greatest contribution is a personal one. He has supported his colleagues in their goals to grow independent companies from the ground up. He has shared his wisdom on how to run a business and what freedom in business looks like from a merit shop point of view. He makes time to attend both national and local IEC events, to attend High School job fairs and chamber of commerce events, and to spend an hour after work to give a one on one lesson to a struggling new apprentice on how to bend conduit.

IEC National Member of the Year

Tim White
APG Electric, Inc.
IEC Florida West Coast Chapter

Tim White of APG Electric, Inc., has worked in the electrical trade for 35 years, 34 of which have been with APG. He began as a helper, completed an electrical apprenticeship, and moved up through the ranks into his current role as a Vice President of Electrical, Life Safety, and Inspection Services.

Tim is very active in a number of electrical organizations. In addition to serving as the 2019-2021 president of the IEC Florida West Coast Chapter Board, he is the current chair of the IEC Political Action Committee and Political Education Fund. He is also an active member of the Electrical Council of Florida (ECF), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Associated Builders & Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. Tim previously served as vice president of the IEC-FWCC (2017-2019) and was the IEC-FWCC president in 2012-13 as well.

In addition to overseeing the daily operations of nearly 100 employees in APG’s Service Group, Tim visits community education partners, including local high school and technical college construction programs, where he educates students on the benefits of a career in the electrical construction industry. He is presently part of a team working to build a partnership between iBuild Central Florida, Independent Electrical Contractors – Florida West Coast Chapter, and the Association of Builders and Contractors – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, as they develop a new industry and trade partner association, the iBuild Gulf Coast Chapter, with plans to launch in 2020-2021.

Tim distinguishes himself from others in the profession because he never lets a task go undone. He steps up and takes on the roles that others decline, for example, by serving in local chapter leadership more than once. When he makes a commitment, he sees it through to the finish, and gives it his all. He stays current with electrical education, maintaining licensure and other helpful professional credentials. He leads by example and encourages his APG team members to earn and maintain their professional credentials as well. Tim knows the value of education, and he demonstrates the qualities professional electricians strive to achieve.

Tim is very politically active and travels to Florida’s state capitol, Tallahassee, and to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators. He ensures that the construction industry gets the best possible support from our elected representatives. He champions issues that are critical to the success of merit shop electrical contractors, and he is a proud spokesman for IEC member companies at every opportunity. He encourages businesses and individuals to get involved in trade associations and to do their best work at all times.

IEC National Rising Star Award

Frank Monacelli
Independent Mechanical, Inc.
Central PA IEC

Having joined IEC in January 2018, Frank Monacelli is an up-and-comer, an outstanding member of the organization, and a true Rising Star.

Frank is the owner of Independent Mechanical, Inc. (IMI) a service-disabled veteran-owned small business outside of Pittsburgh. Established in 2013, IMI is committed to hiring past and present military and their families and is currently comprised of over 50% veteran servicepersons.

His work with those who have served extends to his volunteer work with Shephard’s Heart Fellowship and Veterans Home, his work with veteran’s charities, his support of the Watson Institute, a school for special education, and Children’s Hospital. Frank’s volunteering spirit earned him the First Class Patriot Achievement Award in 2015.

His charity does not stop within his local area. Frank has been a regular donor to the IEC Foundation and PAC/PEF through their charity events and auctions. As an established IEC Foundation Partner, Frank championed the IEC Foundation Gala in Pittsburgh which raised over $20,000 for the IEC Foundation.

Frank has been an involved member of IEC, attending each business summit and convention since joining the organization, and has been an active member of a forum group. Knowing that he wanted to contribute more to IEC, Frank began serving on the Industry Partners Committee in 2019, has served on the Emerging Leaders committee, and was named an Emerging Leader for the Small Business Administration Pittsburgh in 2015.

Frank illustrates the core values of IEC each day through his integrity on and off the job site, within IEC, and as a community member at large. He serves as Chief Master Sergeant of the Civil Engineering Squadron of the 911th Air Wing. Entering the Air Force in June 1995, Frank has faithfully served our country in such military operations as Operation Desert Fox and Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, all while continuing to grow his education by completing Airman Leadership School, completing an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, and completing the USAF Senior NCO Academy.

As Frank continues to serve our country, his excellence in military service translates to his work. Utilizing company core values of service, excellence, and integrity, his company maintains proficiencies in commercial, healthcare, and industrial electrical systems and facility maintenance. A sampling of clients include VA Healthcare Pittsburgh, the 171st Air Refueling Wing, and Penn State and Carnegie Melon Universities, to name a few.

The growth of Frank’s business is a direct result of his investment in customer service, approach to serving the construction community, and attention to detail in his work. He is dedicated to creating a culture of excellence within his company and to providing his employees with the tools they need to excel in their roles.

In the future, Frank hopes to continue his work as a steward of the industry and IEC.

IEC National Legacy Award

Laurence Vallieres
Electrical Consulting Services
IEC New England

Laurence Vallieres has been involved with IEC New England since the very beginning of the establishment of the chapter. In 1968, Connecticut Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) was established, and Larry was involved with the transition from CECA to IEC in 1996 and has been at the core of the association ever since.

In 1972, he opened his own electrical contracting business, State-Wide Electric, where he practiced the true merit shop philosophy. Throughout his 52-year involvement, he has served on various committees and has held every position on the Executive Committee. He has attended national conventions, conferences, and trainings. Although his travel has slowed down at this point in his life, he continues to keep up with all the communications put out by IEC National and encourages others at the chapter level to participate nationally. Larry currently serves as secretary of the Executive Committee and chairman of the Government Relations Committee.

Larry has been a role model and mentor to many individuals throughout his involvement with IEC. Since retiring from State-Wide Electric, he has opened an electrical consulting business where he continues to share his expertise with those in the electrical field.

Larry has demonstrated merit shop core principles for the duration of running his own electrical contracting business and has served as a representative of these principles on all state-level boards and committees on which he has served. He participates on the State Apprenticeship Council and aids in monitoring the standards and regulations of state apprenticeship programs, and also serves as the chair of the Connecticut Electrical Work Examining Board. He recently organized for himself and others from IEC to testify at a hearing at the State Capital in an attempt to reduce the apprenticeship hiring ratio for contractors in Connecticut. This has been an ongoing issue for merit shop contractors for years as it hinders workforce development. He has worked with legislators to appoint IEC members to serve on various State Councils and Boards and promotes IEC as the premier association for electrical contractors.

In all his work, he is dedicated to the success and advancement of the merit shop contractor. Larry has made an everlasting positive impact on his state and local chapter, and his ongoing efforts have made incredible strides for the electrical industry.

SPARK Chapter of the Year

IEC Florida West Coast Chapter

The IEC Florida West Coast Chapter is the 2020 winner of the IEC Chapter Safety Awareness & Retention Kit Program (SPARK) Award. The IEC SPARK award recognizes the IEC chapter that had the most participation in the SPARK program. SPARK is a set of criteria companies can use to assess their safety standards and practices. Based on their scores, participants receive a certificate demonstrating their commitment to safety.

To participate, contractors rate themselves in categories such as management commitment, safety budget, accident investigation, and fall protection. IEC presents those companies that rate themselves Grand Achievement, Superior Achievement, or SPARK Achievement with a SPARK Recognition Certificate.

SPARK Awards

Grand Achievement

Spark Achievement

IEC Florida West Coast            Clancy Electric LLC

 

Superior Achievement

IEC Central PA                          John E. Fullerton, Inc.

IEC Chesapeake                       Cynergy Electric Company, Inc.

IEC Chesapeake                       Cynergy Electric Company, Inc.

IEC Florida West Coast            Gulf Electric Company

IEC Florida West Coast            Control Solutions Inc.

IEC Florida West Coast            D&S Electrical Technologies, LLC.

IEC Florida West Coast            JN Electric of Tampa Bay Inc.

IEC Florida West Coast            Merit Electric

IEC Rocky Mountain                Magee Electric Inc.

IEC-CNA Safety Awards

IEC places workplace safety as one of its core values and encourages members to have the safest work environment possible. Each year, we recognize those members who have exemplary safety programs and records with the IEC-CNA Safety Award.

IEC New England

IEC San Antonio

IEC of Oregon

IEC Chesapeake & El Paso

Chapter of the Year (31-60 Contractor Members)

Central Pennsylvania IEC

Central Pennsylvania IEC received the 2020 IEC Chapter of the Year Award.

Over the course of the past year, the Central Pennsylvania IEC apprenticeship program has continued to grow and become a revered training program for the electrical industry. Offering classes in both York, Pennsylvania and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, as well as online classes, Central PA IEC anticipates educating over 180 apprentices this school year. In addition to its standard apprenticeship program, the chapter has continued to grow its pre-apprenticeship program which will be offered in six school districts in the 2020-2021 school year.

With the onset of COVID-19, the chapter was able to seamlessly transition to the Big Blue Button (BBB) and complete their classes, assessments, and interviews virtually, using innovation and careful planning to allow for continued growth.

Despite the pandemic, the chapter held six full Chapter events over the past year, including a Back to School BBQ, National Apprenticeship Week events, an annual Holiday Showcase & Mixer, Teacher in the Workplace events, and its annual Apprenticeship Skills Competition and associate showcase. Central PA IEC’s monthly membership meetings were also well attended virtually, providing an opportunity for chapter members to connect.

The Central PA IEC chapter has strong member participation at the National level, with Mike Gaffney serving as Northeast Regional director and on the National Professional Development and Safety committees; Bruce Seilhammer serving on both the National Government Affairs and Membership Committees; Kristi Wickard serving on the Training Director Council and CMS task force; and ED Marissa Bankert serving on the Professional Development Committee, the National A&T Committee, and as vice-chair of the Executive Director Council.

With a 98% member retention rate, the Central PA Chapter was awarded an additional 12 counties in Pennsylvania in June 2020. The chapter now covers 20 counties in the state and has a presence from Lancaster to Pittsburgh! The Central PA Chapter continues to be an outstanding example of the power of teamwork, passionate volunteers, and a mission to lead through innovation, education, and communication.

Chapter of the Year (61-89 Contractor Members)

IEC Florida West Coast Chapter

IEC Florida West Coast Chapter received the 2020 IEC Chapter of the Year Award.

Over the past year, the IEC Florida West Coast Chapter has seen significant growth among its contractor members (42%), partners (15%), and apprentices (13.5%) while maintaining a 90% retention rate year over year.

In the midst of COVID-19, the chapter implemented several initiatives to keep apprentices and working electricians on track to complete their studies, including moving all classes to an online format. FWCC worked with the state of Florida to have CEUs approved for in-person credit apply to online courses as well; provided an online Journeyman Exam for 4th-year apprentices; offered a refresher course to bridge the gap between the end of the program and the test; and moved mid-year classes to integrated digital work through ATP.

To address growing workforce needs, FWCC partnered with several local associations, including Hillsborough Community College, where the chapter hosted an IEC job fair that produced 50 qualified candidates in two hours. The iWork committee at a local church hosted 16 virtual coaching events, created a new job website open to local and national applicants, sponsored a career fair with Rep. Toledo with more than 100 registrants, and another with Sen. Cruz with more than 300 registrants. The chapter worked on additional career-building initiatives with Pinellas Technical College, Marchman Technical College, Tallahassee Community College, Career Source Tampa Bay, iBuild Gulf Coast Expansion, the Farmworker Career Development Program, ECF, Pinellas Tech High School, Junior Achievement, and Tampa Bay Youth Build.

To further support members during the COVID-19 pandemic, FWCC offered webinars, sent emails, and hosted ZOOM calls on the PPP program, CARES/FMLA, and offered discounted services for members to meet with attorneys to navigate the changing guidelines. The chapter provided information on the OSHA updates as they were released, and sourced masks, shields, sanitizer, and cleaners to help members stay protected from the virus.

Chapter of the Year (90+ Contractor Members)

IEC Atlanta

IEC Atlanta received the 2020 IEC Chapter of the Year Award.

The IEC Atlanta chapter maintained an impressive growth rate over the last year, with membership growing by 7%, the number of apprentices growing by 14.8%, and an overall retention rate of 91%.

IEC Atlanta is a very active chapter, hosting 16 events with more than 2375 attendees. The events included nine regular luncheon meetings, a fishing tournament, a trade show and wire off, a graduation ceremony, an after-hours social, a golf tournament, a clay shoot, and a Christmas Party and awards banquet.

Working with their lobbyist, the Specialty Contractors Coalition, and AGC, IEC Atlanta successfully passed legislation that clarified existing state law to allow tradesmen to sue for breach of contract in payment disputes without deference to a waiver of lien.

The chapter’s Workforce Recruiter, along with support staff, continually performs community outreach to schools, faith-based organizations, veteran’s groups, and other organizations to provide information about the IEC Atlanta apprenticeship program and opportunities for employment. The IEC Atlanta chapter hosts job fairs for their members, and during the pandemic, hosted these online. They have implemented a new worker program using the IEC National New Worker Program and have had 16 participants complete the program. Apprentices are offered a three-night orientation that includes basic math, testimonials from apprenticeship program graduates, and instruction on how to study, including how to use the CMS/LMS system.

During the 2nd quarter of 2020 the chapter presented webinars on COVID-19, including HR issues, supply chain concerns, and safety protocols. They also implemented a weekly COVID-19 update that included safety tips, HR issues, details of the Paycheck Protection Program, and links to IEC National and partner webinars. Additionally, the chapter sent out FREE masks (KN95), sanitizer, and gloves to its members. The chapter’s website includes articles, webinars, and forms regarding COVID-19.

IEC Atlanta implemented a new website and logo in 2019 whose design allows for four constituencies (Contractors, Partners, Apprentices, and CEU Students) to easily navigate it through a single point of entry. Additionally, the chapter designed and launched a landing page (PowerMyJob.com) for apprenticeship recruitment along with radio advertising on three local stations that generated hundreds of applications for the apprenticeship program and potential employees for its members. The chapter recruited new members through targeted digital advertising dovetailed with mailings to prospective contractor members that focused on workforce recruitment, retention, and development.

A Dropbox account, updated weekly, was launched where members can access lists of skilled electricians, applicants to the apprenticeship program, and apprentices that are out of work. A Resource Directory was issued to all members and mailed to 1,000 engineers, architects, and GC’s throughout Georgia.

IEC Atlanta & Georgia formed a new 501c3 non-profit foundation called GIFT (Georgia Industry Foundation for Training) and provided book scholarships to its apprentices last year. 40% of the chapter membership made a donation totaling over $15,000, enabling the chapter to provide a total of $9,000 in scholarships to 46 individuals.

Apprenticeship Chapter of the Year Award

IEC Rocky Mountain

IEC Rocky Mountain was honored with the 2020 IEC National Apprenticeship Chapter of the Year Award for their outstanding accomplishments in growth and development of the IEC chapter apprentice program on both a local and national level.

Here are some of the initiatives IECRM employs to both attract and support apprentices and instructors

Career Fair Participation

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IECRM held its first Virtual Career Fair on ZOOM in 2020. Contractor members had the opportunity to present their company’s manpower needs to a virtual audience and found the event to be extremely successful based on the number of new hires in attendance.

IECRM hosted four Career Fairs in Spring 2019 to provide an opportunity for IECRM contractor members to recruit and hire for their electrical needs. Many of those who attended the career fairs were hired as apprentices and are now students at IECRM. In addition to its own career fairs, IECRM participated in several other events including:

• Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Career Connect
• The Adams County Commissioners’ Career Expo
• Construction Careers Now (CCN) Pre-Apprenticeship Program
• Brighton Optimist Club Job Fair/Career Expo
• Mapleton Apprenticeship Fair
• Mapleton High – Electrical 101/Switching Lab

Diversity & Inclusion

The IECRM Board of Directors established a strategic Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiative to build on its existing efforts to attract, recruit, retain, and sustain a diverse and inclusive membership and apprenticeship community. The initiative was developed as part of the association’s strategic plan to expand on the great work of the Veterans Committee and enhance existing outreach, further aligning IECRM’s workforce development goals.

College Credit

• For the first time ever, IECRM apprentices have the ability to transfer credits from a completed apprenticeship to earn a bachelor’s degree at CSU Global. Through its partnership with Emily Griffith Technical College, the IECRM apprentice training program has joined with Colorado State University’s Global Campus (CSU Global) to provide greater educational opportunities and services to students seeking to pursue subsequent higher education upon completion of their internship.
• Any student that graduates from the IECRM Apprenticeship Program is eligible to receive up to 42 credit hours towards an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Technology. These credits can be transferred to any community college in Colorado.
• IECRM apprentices are also encouraged to utilize the ACE Credit Hours received through IEC National certification.

Apprentice Experience

• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IECRM moved all of its 2172 students to the ATP Big Blue Button (BBB) in one week, enabling it to avoid class cancellations. The BBB web-based teaching platform is an efficient tool for online students.
• IECRM conducts open Office of Apprenticeship interviews every other week to assist our contractor members with the challenges of obtaining new employees. Each individual who attends the OA interview receives a Math Aptitude Test, is registered with the Office of Apprenticeship, and receives a place on the IECRM Hire List. Each of IECRM’s 191 contractor members have access to this list.
• Facebook Initiatives: Students are encouraged to participate in Facebook Notifications giving them an opportunity to win tools and gift cards and connect to IECRM to stay updated with the latest industry news.
• IECRM offers its apprentices tutoring via ZOOM to discuss areas of more difficult subject matter.
• Each Friday evening, IECRM instructors hold a tutoring session for students who need additional help with lesson objectives and subject matter.
• IECRM celebrates the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Appreciation Week by bringing in top IECRM Industry Partners to present to the apprentices and show off their newest and most innovative tools and materials.
• Normally, IECRM offers 40 IECRM Apprentices an opportunity to compete and win a trip to the IEC National Convention. In 2020, IECRM conducted its Wire-Off Competition LIVE on FaceBook. The 4th year apprentice’s with the top ten GPA averages were eligible to compete.

Instructor Training

• Before IECRM Instructors are given an apprenticeship class, they receive 24 hours of systems training, classroom exposure, Q&A, and instructor shadowing to ensure they are ready to conduct an IECRM apprenticeship class.
• IECRM instructors come together quarterly to receive training on how to facilitate and conduct a class with more difficult subject matter. This has become a great value add for new instructors to evolve their teaching and ensure the team is on the same page.
• Designed to strengthen the team, IECRM Instructors are required to conduct at least two Peer Observation Sessions per year. These sessions ensure instruction quality and consistency.
• Each night before apprenticeship classes are held, IECRM instructors hold a 20 minute “POWWOW” which ensures that all 1st-4th year instructors are on the same page and the IEC National Curriculum is taught with confidence and consistency.

IEC Legislative Chapter of the Year

IEC Florida West Coast Chapter

One of the many member benefits IEC offers is political representation on the state and national level. It is important for members of Congress and State legislatures to understand where IEC stands on the issues as an organization of merit shop contractors.

In February, IEC Florida West Coast Chapter (FWCC) held its own Legislative Day. Planning for Legislative Day in Tallahassee began in December with the formulation of IEC’s legislative agenda. There were four major bills that FWCC supported passage on that would positively affect electrical contractors in Florida.

Apprenticeship and Workforce Education Funding

FWCC supports increasing funding as it will help create and expand existing apprenticeship programs.

Outcome: $10M in Budget for Apprenticeship Grant Program.

Local Government Public Construction Works

This bill requires the estimated cost of a local public construction projects to include all costs associated with the project, including employee compensations and benefits, material and equipment, insurance, etc. when determining whether the project can be done “in-house” or must be put out to bid.

Outcome: PASSED, Awaiting Governor’s Approval, Effective Date July 1, 2020.

Public Construction Retainage

This bill reduces by half the amount of retainage that can be withheld by the State or local government on construction projects in excess of $200,000. Under the bill, the maximum amount that could be withheld is reduced from 10% to 5%.

Outcome: PASSED, Awaiting Governor’s Approval, Effective Date Oct. 1, 2020.

Deregulation of Professions

This bill allows for reciprocity with other states for electricians to become licensed when they move to Florida if they meet certain standards. It also reduces the number of annual continuing education requirements.

Outcome: PASSED, Awaiting Governor’s Approval, Effective Date July 1, 2020.

“Legislative Day is an important avenue for our chapter to connect with senators and representatives,” said Natasha Sherwood, executive director, FWCC. “It gives us an opportunity to personalize our business and put faces to the industry. We are able to voice our concerns, advocate for important legislation, and thank those who have supported us.

IEC National Advocacy Award

In 2020, IEC created a new award to recognize chapters with the highest level of participation in IEC’s national advocacy efforts. This award does not recognize state or local advocacy initiatives and is separate from the Legislative Chapter of the Year Award. Award criteria include responses to action alerts, contributions to PRIDE PAC and the Political Education Fund, and more.

Florida West Coast Chapter

IEC San Antonio

IEC Florida East Coast Chapter

Midwest IEC

Chapter Executive Director of the Year – Category B    

Marissa Bankert
Executive Director
Central Pennsylvania IEC

Marissa Bankert possesses the skills and qualities IEC looks for in its Executive Director of the Year recipients and excels in many aspects of this challenging position.

As the executive director of the Central PA IEC chapter, Marissa has worked on government affairs issues involving the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Along with addressing the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response and its misclassification of workers, Marissa has championed the apprenticeship ratio issue, working tirelessly to bring legislators and other associations together to tackle the unfair ratio issues for merit shop companies.

Marissa played a key role in working with the IEC Chesapeake Chapter to develop a series of web-based training classes to present during the pandemic. More than 300 individuals participated in these free training classes from April to June. Additionally, the two chapters have worked together to offer in person classes with topics ranging from safety, code, and management during this challenging time for our nation.

Marissa has grown the footprint of the Central PA IEC chapter during her tenure, opening a second school location to expand its training locations further east to York, Pennsylvania. Additionally, the IEC National Membership Committee approved the addition of 12 counties in Pennsylvania in May 2020, growing the chapter’s membership base.

Marissa is very active in workforce development and works with other local organizations for the benefit of her chapter. She is an active member of NAWIC in Central PA and South Central PA. Her ability to actively promote the opportunities that exist in the electrical industry is unparalleled among her peers.

Chapter Executive Director of the Year – Category C

Marilyn Stansbury
CEO
IEC Rocky Mountain

Marilyn Stansbury exemplifies what it means to be a leader. She is approachable, respectful, and generously shares ideas and resources with her colleagues. She informs members of upcoming changes in our industry and gathers feedback to address local issues. She doesn’t shy away from any issue or question put forward to her, and is honest when she doesn’t have the answer, always following through to get the information requested and sharing it with others.

Marilyn is particularly skilled at facilitating the exchange of ideas and resources to help IEC chapters grow their membership and training programs. Her active participation on numerous National committees and advisory panels has benefited IECRM and the industry. This year she has been particularly helpful in leading the conversation on how we can more effectively engage federal representatives on important legislative issues.

Always thinking strategically about how to make things better, Marilyn moves ideas to implementation. She has a passion for connecting people and building partnerships – solving big problems, forging a new vision, engaging others, building a new way of doing things, developing and leveraging human capital, financial, and technology resources, while generating revenue and delivering impactful results.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marilyn has been a powerfully effective leader for IECRM, mindful of how paramount it is, in times like these, for the organization to be of service and indispensable to its members, partners, students, and staff. Beginning with the institution of weekly COVID Member Forums, she has helped members and partners navigate the challenges they face. She moved 2500 apprentices to online learning, ensuring the same quality of preparation contractors expect to see in their apprentices. Marilyn offered tips and webinars to help contractors navigate the unknown waters of COVID-19 through constant communication.

Chapter Growth Award Winners

Due to the amazing work happening at IEC chapters across the country, IEC continues to experience consistent growth in membership. The chapters listed demonstrated growth over 5% during the 2020 fiscal year, July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020.

IEC of Idaho

Southern New Mexico IEC

IEC CenTex

IEC Dallas

IEC Ft. Worth/Tarrant County

Lubbock IEC

Rio Grande Valley IEC

Central Indiana IEC

IEC Central Ohio

IEC Southern Indiana

IEC Western Reserve

IEC Atlanta

IEC Georgia

Mid-South IEC

IEC Middle Tennessee

IEC Florida East Coast

IEC Chesapeake

New Jersey IEC

IEC of Northwest Pennsylvania

Community Service – Individual Award

Jimmy Paul
Allied Electric Services, Inc.
IEC Centex

Jimmy Paul of Allied Electric Services, Inc. received the Community Service – Individual Award for his work with First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas.

Jimmy led the church’s improvement effort by clearing a 10-acre section of raw land it owned, acquiring the necessary permits, and spending countless hours clearing cedar brush, creating burn piles, and managing the
burn process.

He became a key volunteer member of the Campus Development Team which has served to reroute primary access to the church, which became necessary due to a major highway expansion, and is in the process of developing a vision for the future state of the campus. Jimmy is a volunteer member of the church’s Vision Team that helps develop a strategic plan for the next 10 years, and was a key player in developing a Capital Projects Plan which encompasses all substantial site needs for the next three years.

Jimmy and Team Allied helped the church solve a serious lighting issue in the main sanctuary where the church faced upgrading 500 incandescent lights to LED lights. He also led the effort to improve site-level events by coordinating a Fall Site Workday in which 150 congregation members participated on one of eight project teams.

Community Service – Team Award

Electrical Energy Systems
IEC New England

Electrical Energy Systems of IEC New England received the 2020 IEC Community Service Team Award for their contributions to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Electrical Energy Systems holds a golf tournament each year to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 2019 tournament included 100 players, half of whom are IEC members, and 32 sponsors. In 2019, the tournament raised $12,000, and since it’s inception in 2016, the event has raised more than $42,000 to help make Make-A-Wish wishes come true.

IEC National Apprentice of the Year Competition

The IEC National Apprentice of the Year (AOY) Competition, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool, The Home Depot, Greenlee, ATP, and Southwire, features the top graduates from IEC apprenticeship programs across the country in head-to-head competition for prizes and recognition as Apprentice of the Year.

The 2020 competition, held at the IEC of Greater Cincinnati Chapter, October 21-22, included a written exam, ladder diagram, conduit bending, and motor controls competition.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 AOY competition, usually held during the annual IEC Convention and Expo, was held in Cincinnati the week before the virtual convention. While the competition was structured a bit differently this year, the apprentices were laser focused on their performance and gave it their all. To share the excitement of the competition with the IEC Community nationwide, the competition was live streamed, and two amazing highlight videos were created. All may be viewed at bit.ly/AOYvideos.

During the competition, the apprentices:

• Took a written exam to evaluate their knowledge of electrical theory, code, materials, and installation practices.
• Prepared a motor logic diagram based on a written description of a filed application.
• Demonstrated their skill in bending electrical metallic tubing.
• Demonstrated their troubleshooting skills by accurately diagnosing a fault in a common piece of electrical equipment.
• Accurately installed electrical distribution and control circuitry utilizing customer-supplied materials, circuit descriptions, specification, and control diagrams.
• Demonstrated their knowledge of safe work practices.

The competition was judged by teams of journeymen, contractors, inspectors, and others actively involved in electrical industry codes and standards, safety, and training.

Competition winners received awards recognizing their accomplishments, cash prizes provided by The Home Depot, a selection of tools and reference materials provided by the competition sponsors, and national recognition.

IEC National Apprentice of the Year Winners

2020 IEC AOY FIRST PLACE WINNER

Brandon Weis
Beacon Electric Co.
IEC of Greater Cincinnati

2020 IEC AOY SECOND PLACE WINNER

Jessy Burris
Atom/Thiel Electric, LLC
IEC Central Ohio

2020 IEC AOY THIRD PLACE WINNER

Steve McGraw
Wibracht Electric
IEC of Greater St. Louis

2020 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR COMPETITORS

Robert Tritt
IEC Central PA
DeRock Electric Company

Michael Hong
IEC Chesapeake
Helix Electric

Colton Little (did not attend – alternate Brent Landmesser attended)
IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County
Coty Owens Electrical Service, LLC

Justin Durham
IEC Texas Gulf Coast
Extreme Power Services

Nathan Butler
IEC Atlanta
Waddy Electrical Enterprises, Inc.

Diego Omar
Cosco Martinez
IEC Arizona
Bjerk Builders Inc.

Jessy Burris
IEC Central OH
Atom/Thiel Electric, LLC

Daniel Bassett
IEC OKC
Libra Electric Company

Zach Potat (did not attend)
Midwest IEC
Teck Electric

Dan Mayer
IEC Montana
Kredit Electric

Alexander Gracer
IEC New England
Horton Electrical Services, LLC

Samuel Kalka
IEC San Antonio
Hill Electric

Justin Robinson
IEC Southern Colorado
Matrix Electric

Ever Rios
Western Colorado IEC
Lico’s Electric

Brendan Baker
IEC Oregon
Olsson Industrial Electric

Brandon Weis
IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Beacon Electric Co.

Ryan Slayton
IEC Rocky Mountain
Denver Water

Andy Stock
IEC Florida West Coast
APG

Hunter Wagner
IEC Kentucky/Southern Indiana
Amteck

Steve McGraw
IEC of Greater St. Louis
Wibracht Electric

Brian Bye
IEC Dakotas
JDD Electric

Zachary Shelton
CenTex IEC
Randall Electric

IEC NATIONAL 2020 EMERGING LEADERS

Congratulations to the 2020 IEC Emerging Leaders

IEC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 IEC National Emerging Leaders Award which recognizes members and staff who have made an impact on the electrical contracting and systems industry. This next generation of professionals is taking the industry by storm and is set to lead us into a new era.

Blake Behr
Ridgeline Electrical
Central Indiana IEC

Austin Burrow
InPowr Inc.
IECRM

Jared Dziak
Independent Mechanical, Inc.
Central PA IEC

Jessica Garnett
IEC of Greater St. Louis
IEC of Greater St. Louis

Javier Herrera
Central Electric Enterprises & Co
IEC San Antonio

Brian Hucker
Wolff Electrical Services LLC
IEC of Greater St. Louis

Matthew Mundy
White’s Electrical LLC
Central Indiana IEC

Anthony Sarago
ASCOM Electric, Inc.
Central PA IEC

Austin Stroup
SECCO Electric
Central PA IEC

Christian Veeder
Custom Electrical Contractors
IECRM

IEC WISHES TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE 2020 AND 2021 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Candy Branham
President

Janet Martin
Treasurer

Troy Corrigan
Secretary

Steve Humphrey Jr.
Vice President

Gary Golka
Immediate Past President

Spenser Villwock
CEO, IEC National

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Midwest Region    

Gloria Aey

Don Hulsey

Lou Schuler

Mountain West Region

Mark Kredit

Matt Parkin

Pete Farreny

Northeast Region

Mike Gaffney

Bruce Kohan

Southeast Region

Cecil Leedy

Kristen Williams

Greater Texas Region     

Tommy Monaco

Barry Williams

Jerry Kent

Platinum Partner Rep.      

Mark Wilke

CAN

Chapter Executive Director Rep.      

Cindy Regier

IEC of Oregon

2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Janet Martin
President

Troy Corrigan
Treasurer

Steve Humphrey, Jr.
Secretary

Cecil Leedy
Vice President

Candy Branham
Immediate Past President

Spenser Villwock
CEO, IEC National

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Midwest Region    

Gloria Aey

Lou Schuler

Don Hulsey

Mountain West Region

Mark Kredit

Matt Parkin

Pete Farreny

Northeast Region

Mike Gaffney

Bruce Kohan

Southeast Region

Kristen Williams

Greater Texas Region

Jerry Kent

Barry Williams

Tommy Monaco

Platinum Partner Rep.

Scott Teson, Milwaukee

Chapter Executive Director Rep.

Marissa Bankert,

Central PA IEC