Author Archives: necaibew







Kenny Lucas, IBEW Local 64 president/organizer, outside union hall.

Lucas makes move to Local 64 leadership role  


After more than 20 years as a journeyman electrician, Kenny Lucas is taking on new challenges as the president/organizer for IBEW Local 64. He’s adjusting from life on job sites to helping manage about 430 union members. He’s responsible for building and monitoring membership and leading union meetings. Lucas also stays aware of what’s happening […]

Students at SkillsUSA competition electrical wiring project

Regional SkillsUSA competition brightens the spotlight for the electrical trade


IBEW Local 64 connected with the future of the trade as the host for the electrical construction wiring portion of the Northeast Regionals SkillsUSA Competition. Hundreds of students were involved from more than a dozen schools in the region. There were six participants for the electrical competition on February 22. It included a written exam […]

Apprentice working on wiring.

An electrician apprenticeship or college tuition: What does the math say?


Pursuing a college degree can be costly. Learning a skilled trade, like becoming an electrician, allows young people to start a career right out of high school without accruing student debt. The below information leaves a comparison to ponder – apprenticeship or college? Costly college or apprenticeship earnings? In Ohio, the average cost to attend […]

Eric and Bethany Carlson, United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley 2023 co-chairs.

Best campaign ever: Carlsons help bring in record funds for United Way


It’s a fundraising number the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has never seen in its 105-year existence. Eric Carlson, president of “Joe” Dickey Electric, and his wife, Bethany, served as 2023 campaign co-chairs and helped bring in more than $3.7 million for the organization. The Carlsons have been involved with United Way […]

Karisten Blackshere, a first-year apprentice, at the Warren JATC.

Local woman lands in electrician apprenticeship after Las Vegas journey


Growing up on a farm in northern Trumbull County taught Karisten Blackshere about hard work and being hands-on. Now, in her first year in the electrician apprenticeship at the Warren JATC, she understands early mornings, sacrifices and persistence. However, it took thousands of miles and several life experiences to get there. Venture to Las Vegas […]

Electrician working at Ultium Cells early on in the project.

Electrical contractors charged up: Optimistic outlook for 2024


[Following is the NECA-IBEW’s submission in the recently published Business Journal Growth Report 1 issue] A steady combination of commercial projects and residential work kept the energy high for NECA-IBEW Electricians in 2023. Overall, the signatory Mahoning Valley electrical contractors and IBEW union locals are keeping an optimistic outlook for 2024. IBEW Locals 64 and […]

Shawn and Tyler Campbell, of Connected Technologies

Contractor profile: Success comes quick for Connected Technologies


To say business is growing at a “rapid pace” is an understatement for Shawn Campbell, co-owner and project estimator at Connected Technologies. The company started in March 2021, and the number of completed jobs has more than doubled since then. Connected Technologies is a low-voltage contractor dealing with the installation of data cables/towers, fiber optics, […]

Top 10 stories of 2023. Collage featuring Dahler Electric, CR Electric, Dickey Electric, Tri-Area Electric

Lights out 2023: Top 10 stories for NECA-IBEW Electricians


Another year is down to the wire, and it’s typically a time for looking back on accomplishments. It’s been a busy, full year for NECA-IBEW Electricians. As the most trusted, professional electricians in the area prepare for 2024, here’s a look at the top 10 stories of 2023:  NECA-IBEW Electricians makes up a highly trained union […]

IBEW Local 573 donates 20 bikes for children at Trumbull County Children Services

Another gear: Local 573’s Christmas bike donation reaches 20 children in-need


Todd Ambrose said he just couldn’t imagine waking up as a kid on Christmas and not having a gift under the tree. That’s the sentiment that keeps the IBEW Local 573 business manager and the entire union local coming back to support Trumbull County Children Services. This year, the union electrical workers donated, assembled and […]

Alex Dahler, of Dahler Electric, is a new electrical contractor in the Mahoning Valley.

Contractor profile: Dahler Electric striving for big business


Dreaming big is something Alex Dahler hasn’t stopped doing since he became an electrician. His interest in the trade started during his high school days. He then attended Mahoning County Career and Technical Center for the electrical program. After graduating in 2013, he got into the apprenticeship program with IBEW Local 64. He worked for […]