Page 68 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec21_WEB

FEATURE

The IEC Foundation, established in 1996, is the charitable
The
arm of the Independent Electrical Contractors Our Advancement
Apprentices, of the
Association, a national organization with over 3,000 Contractor Electrical
Members Systems
&
members nationwide. The mission of the IEC Foundation and Chapters WE Contracting
is to create educational opportunities introducing Industry
and guiding youth, men and women to successful and BELIEVE
satisfying careers in the electrical and communications Supporting IN Our
Each Other Industry's
industries. Its major goal is to improve the quality of in All Future
Circumstances
life and create a better world; to build better families,
Knowledge is the
homes, cities, schools, and businesses; and to make Best Tool
in Our Toolbox
the world a better-functioning place to live.

Contact us:
Over the years, many have contributed Schneider Electric, Niel Dawson with IEC to support. Jim Thurman introduced
to this mission and made the Foundation Atlanta and IEC National staff worked the IECF Board to Barbara Duncan,
THE INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS FOUNDATION
a success. Eugene Mini brought the together to bring The Home Depot on who was contracted as a consultant
2900 South Quincy Street, Suite 720
idea to New Jersey and helped get it as a Platinum Partner and IECF Board to write grants for chapters. She was
Arlington, VA 22206
off the ground alongside Bill Crawford. member. Bill Hamilton, who was with very successful with the IECF grant
Jeff Heitker joined the IECF Board in The Home Depot, had a huge passion for writing with grants awarded to many
Telephone: (703) 650-0048 • Fax: (703) 549-7448 • Email: ed@iec-foundation.org
2003 and served as Chairman from workforce development, which fueled the Website: https://www.iec-foundation.org/
IEC Chapters. Barbara Duncan joined
2004- 2015. He was involved with several efforts in building the IECF Scholarship the Foundation as the IECF Coordinator
milestones throughout the Foundation’s program. His efforts paved the way to the in 2004 as a full-time employee and
history. Dennis Denier was one of the program known as the ProXtra program. worked for the IECF for many years. She
original founding fathers and the IECF The ProXtra Program is a program for IEC was instrumental in the development of
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Chairman before Jeff Heitker. Denny was members in which they can get 2% cash the Tech Soup/Microsoft Software for
instrumental in the development of the back on all qualifying pre-tax purchases IEC chapter, and she ran the program
IECF equipment grants program and for when enrolled. In addition to the rebate during her tenure.
many years, this program was run out of for customers, The Home Depot donates
Denier Electric’s office to help facilitate a percentage of sales in this program to In addition to those listed above, The
getting equipment to build IEC Chapter the IEC Foundation. Humphrey family, who have always
Training labs. been supportive of the Foundation, have
Devastation plagued our nation in contributed to its continued success. Steve
Eaton Corporation, Schneider Electric 2005 with Hurricane Katrina causing Humphrey, with Humphrey & Associates,
(Square D at the time) and Siemens over 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in Inc, was a Founding father of the
were the main equipment contributors at damages, particularly in New Orleans and Foundation and him and his family have
the start of the program. Following the the surrounding areas. At this time, the been a long-time contributor to the IECF.
equipment grants, The IECF Annual Fund IECF Board went on a fundraising effort
started in 2005 at the IEC Convention to support individuals affected by the Without the contributions of these
in Baltimore. Industry partner, Eaton disaster. Over the years, the IECF Board has individuals, and many others over
Corporation, under the leadership of supported many charitable organizations. time, the Foundation would not be
Jim Golly, supported equipment grants, James (Jim) Thurman with Thurman & what it is today. “The hours and
scholarships and made the pledge the O’Connell Corp., Louisville, KY, served on dedication that have been put into
Endowment Fund. The fund was created the IECF Board until approx. 2004. the Foundation are outstanding,”
early on to help the Foundation become says Gene Mini, one of the original
financially stable for years to come. Jim was very involved with ‘Stand up founding members of the Foundation.
for Kids’ that worked to get kids off the “It’s amazing to see how this has all
Industry partnership grew rapidly streets. This led to the IECF and board evolved into something really special.”
during this time. In 2007, Bill Fisher with members donating to ‘Stand up for Kids’

66 Insights Magazine | November/December 2021 | www.ieci.org