Author Archives: necaibew







Local 573 volunteer stand with their logo.

IBEW Local 573 volunteers power Cortland Street Fair


Energy in Downtown Cortland this past weekend was buzzing, and the community has IBEW Local 573 to thank. Since 2019, the union has volunteered time to help set up and energize the Cortland Street Fair. The latest one was held July 21-23. Mike Reed, a journeyman electrician with “Joe” Dickey Electric, led the process this […]

Local 573 apprentice has her eyes on the future


While giving different career paths a go, it was electricity that caused a lightbulb to go off for Grace Morrison. “During my life I’ve had a lot of different career experiences,” she said. Her background includes licensed cosmetology to customer service and management. “I wanted to do something that mattered,” Morrison said. She’s currently working […]

Keith Patton works in a lift.

Air Force Veteran and second-year apprentice sees parallels in military and electrical work


While he’s constantly working with his hands, Keith Patton also enjoys a challenge. The second-year apprentice with the Warren Electrical JATC is building on a foundation he established while in the United States Air Force from 2009 to 2017. While serving, Patton was an electrical and hydraulics airplane mechanic, troubleshooting issues on C-5s and C-17s. […]

Ahren Peplow stands with his work.

Electrical career a tradition, calling for Local 64 member


It was while he was enrolled at Youngstown State University that Ahren Peplow realized college wasn’t for him. “I bounced between nursing, education and criminal justice majors,” he said. “I couldn’t find anything I truly enjoyed. Then I remembered I took a residential wiring class in high school that I loved,” Peplow recalled. He got […]

Members of Local 64 stand together at an event.

Autism warrior supported by IBEW brotherhood


Warriors come in all sizes … and ages. For the Lucas family of Canfield, they range from 9-year-old Austin to the IBEW Local 64 union brothers of father Kenny, a journeyman wireman with Girard electrical contractor CR Electric. Austin was diagnosed with autism when he was in kindergarten. “We want each of our members to […]

An apprentice competes in the Ideal competition.

Competition brings out the best among local electrical apprentices


During friendly competition, apprentices and journeymen electricians vied for a chance to advance to the sunshine state and win some serious cash. A qualifying event for the Ideal National Championship was held at both the Youngstown and Warren JATCs involving members of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown and Local 573 in Warren. At each, apprentices […]

Dustin Ronci installs wire.

Santon electricians help breathe new life into historic Youngstown building


Once a social spot for live entertainment in downtown Youngstown, the Gallagher building, formerly known as Cedar’s Lounge, is undergoing some work. Helping lead the electrical component of the project are two residential journeymen electricians with Santon Electric: Eric Inskeep and Dustin Ronci. Working in the structure, which was built in 1904, both Inskeep and […]

Chuck Wright, journeyman electrician with MG Electric, checks one of the three charging stations at WRTA in Youngstown.

MG Electric adds power source to WRTA


One location in Youngstown is a bit closer to the future as it embraces the term “Voltage Valley” with help from a member electrical contractor. MG Electric installed three charging stations in Youngstown for electric vehicles, or EVs, at WRTA’s administration location on Mahoning Avenue. There are three, dual-port chargers that will “charge any type […]

Electricians install pipe underground.

Local electrician follows in father’s “Boot” steps


Braeden Allen is not only earning money while he learns, but he’s doing it all while working alongside people he’s known forever. His father is Ryan Allen, job superintendent for Boot Electric. A construction wireman, the junior Allen has been learning the ropes “while friends have been at class in college,” not applying lessons to […]

Nikki Copenhaver and Sheila Danko stand in warehouse.

Team of mothers help CR Electric keep moving


There’s a group of superheroes working at CR Electric. Leading the company is office manager-estimator-project manager Nikki Copenhaver, with administrative assistant Sheila Danko, both in the office. Out in the field are electricians Jordan Palumbo and Danielle Cree, both also mothers. Besides the uniqueness of being women in the electrical industry, they have something in […]