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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

IEC in Washington DC

BY JANET MARTIN, IEC 2021 PRESIDENT

F in remote lands seems far away, they but end up having severe consequences

Fall is election season. Although this year
for our overall economic health and well-
is an “off year” since no major national
cast foreboding shadows on our ability
being. If we quit, then our detractors have
elections are being held, I can’t help but
to effectively deal with challenge, and
think about the importance of supporting
and keep fighting, the odds of our long-
desperately need to have.
good strong national leaders given
the many issues facing our businesses, erode the faith in our leaders which we so already won. But if we take a stand now,
term success increase dramatically.
country, and global community over IEC is your voice in Washington, DC and
the past many months. I think over the in legislatures around the country. It is a IEC’s mission is to help make our members
past couple of years we forget about difficult and often thankless job. Over the and our industry more aware of what is
the influence each of us as individuals years in speaking to several IEC members I going on and what that means for you as
has until the last moment when we are have found they take the work IEC does for a business owner. We must protect our
casting out ballot, and when that moment granted, or they aren’t seeing the impact American dream, our families and our
passes we regret the choice we made or on their business. Worse still apathy has set businesses. Think about our country’s future
the resulting outcome, and we think to in, individuals question their participation, and choose right the next time you vote.
ourselves, I could have done more. and believe their voice doesn’t matter or
has no impact, so they just quit trying. And the next time you pay for a cup of
I am thinking about this more now than Well, I don’t quit things, and my message coffee or enjoy a nice meal out- remember
ever this year in 2021 because the pressure back to them is a tough one – we all need that your IEC Political Action Committee
on my business seems more acute now to wake up. Just because we don’t see needs you – so please step up and
than ever. Unfortunately, the specter of them every day doesn’t mean that the contribute even just a few dollars a day to
COVID still hovers, and our country’s threats and challenges to our businesses help move our industry forward!
response is still weak and scattered. and our employees don’t exist.
Inflation is on the rise, and products and
materials we need to help our customers Being independent business owners and Janet Martin brings over 24 years of
corporate and small business leadership
are hard to get. Some prices have eased operators is a risky business- competition to her role as president of Independent
over the past several months, but still abounds and just a few missteps can make Electrical Contractors. Martin serves as
most of us are feeling the crunch of high or break a job or your future as a business vice president/owner of Bret’s Electric in
lumber prices, gas prices, and even higher owner. The same goes for economic and Denver, and co-owns the business with her
still inflated wages. And while troubles other policies which can appear harmless husband, Bret, and youngest son, Justin.

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