Author Archives: necaibew







Dan Santon, owner of Santon Electric in Boardman, stands with his WYTV Hometown Hero plaque at his memorial outside the company for military members, health care workers, police and fire departments.

Honoring “Hometown Hero” Dan Santon for dedication to Boo Squad


There’s a special place in Dan Santon’s heart for young people who give back to the community. And one Mahoning Valley organization doing just that is giving back to Santon in the form of gratitude for his support. The founder of Boo Squad, Heather Hrina Medvec, nominated Santon for the WYTV Hometown Hero award. He […]

Nick Clemmer, project manager at Liberty Electric, outside Cleveland Steel Container building in Warren.

Liberty Electric energizes new manufacturing facility in Warren


A high level of expertise and history of quality work is helping Liberty Electric maneuver its latest project at Cleveland Steel Container in Warren. Electricians recently finished the underground infrastructure, but they will be on the job for at least another nine months, according to Nick Clemmer, project manager for Liberty Electric. “It’s all about […]

Jeff Barber, VEC vice president of projects, on stage at NECA convention, being inducted as Fellow into NECA Academy of Contractors.

VEC’s Barber honored as Fellow of NECA Academy of Contractors


A “small but mighty” chapter is making big waves yet again on the national scene. Jeff Barber, the executive vice president of projects at VEC in Girard, has been inducted as a Fellow into the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Academy of Contractors. He was honored during the annual NECA convention in San Diego, Calif. […]

Mike Engle, project manager at University Electric, and Ivan Lindberg, apprentice-to-be.

University Electric bakes new energy into Insomnia Cookies on YSU campus


A key ingredient in the recipe for an Insomnia Cookies coming to YSU campus is University Electric. The bakery plans to open sometime in fall 2024 at the corner of North Hazel Street and Lincoln Avenue. After spending just over a month on the project, electricians wrapped up their work in early October. Starting from […]

Amy and Matt Connelly, with Austin Claussell, the first-time recipient of a memorial scholarship in honor of their son, Adam.

Honoring a dream: Friend of late IBEW Local 573 apprentice first to receive memorial scholarship


It was an emotional moment for Amy and Matt Connelly to present the first-ever memorial scholarship in honor of their son to his lifelong friend. Adam Connelly, 21, passed away in November 2022 following a car accident. At the time, Adam was a second-year apprentice with IBEW Local 573. In his memory, the Connellys are […]

Apprentice Grace Morrison helps students bend conduit at the Mahoning Valley SKilled Trades Expo.

Students connect to the value of a career in the electrical trade


Droves of students flocked to the electrical exhibit at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo on September 17-19. They were learning to bend conduit, testing out a virtual reality tool that walks them through various electrical tasks, talking with apprentices about basic wiring and what a career is like, as well as getting an up-close […]

Apprentice shows students how to bend conduit at Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo

Skilled Trades Expo creates a surge of interest in the electrical industry


Projects for the NECA-IBEW Electricians remain steady, but events like the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo are driving awareness about careers in the electrical industry. Since the first expo in 2019, apprenticeship applications have increased for IBEW Locals 64 and 573. “Before we started, until now, they’re up between 10-15 percent. It’s been a good […]

Becdel Controls sets up scoreboard for Brookfield stadium and makes other lighting and electrical upgrades.

Becdel Controls tackles electrical upgrades for new Brookfield stadium


The Friday night lights are at full power at Brookfield stadium this football season. After more than a year, renovations are complete at the field on the district’s K-12 campus.   Becdel Controls took the lead on the electrical work. The company, along with others, was acknowledged in an article by Brookfield’s News on the […]

Eric Carlson, president of "Joe" Dickey Electric, with Alex Birtalan, junior estimator at Dickey Electric, outside truck at the office.

Electricians award two YSU scholarships in 2024


NECA-IBEW Electricians doubled down this year in support of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at Youngstown State University in the electrical industry. Two students received an LMCC scholarship through the YSU Foundation. IBEW Local 64 and Mahoning Valley NECA awarded Nick DeLullo a $500 scholarship. Nick’s father, John, is a journeyman at Dickey Electric and a […]

University Electric doing work at Ward Beecher Planetarium at YSU.

University Electric enters a new galaxy at YSU planetarium rebuild


Celestial views are returning to the YSU planetarium at Ward Beecher Hall. Renovations have wrapped up following a fire that severely damaged the building’s roof in January 2023. University Electric realized very quickly that it was going to be a challenging and unique project. “There was so much water and smoke damage. Everything was ruined. […]