Workmanship, safety and technical knowledge are the backbones of a successful electrician. And staying on top of the every-changing industry requires a commitment to continuing education. “We put on numerous courses throughout the years for journeyman electrician training,” said Bill Booth, president, IBEW Local 64. “A lot of times a customer will even request a…
Member contractor CR Electric is helping local school districts become cleaner and brighter thanks to newly installed LED lighting. “We have several local schools, such as Howland, Liberty, Campbell, Lordstown and McDonald switching to LEDs,” said Nikki Copenhaver, project coordinator at CR Electric. “Between all of our projects, we’ve installed thousands of lamps and fixtures.”…
For more than 25 years, Tri-Area Electric has been crucial to the growth of the Youngstown Business Incubator, starting with its first building that was once home to the former Reichart Furniture Company. The latest project in this long-standing partnership consisted of Tri-Area helping transform a former Youngstown Vindicator building into YBI’s new additive manufacturing…
In his new role as president/organizer at IBEW Local 573, Mark Phillips has a specific goal – educate others about the upside of joining a union. “I see in my age group and younger that unions are falling out,” he said. “I want to educate people about what our union offers, and the whole union…
Along with topping out to become journeymen electricians, two electrician apprentices through the Youngstown Area Electrical JATC were recently honored as the Outstanding Apprentices of the Year. “The award is given to the outstanding apprentice in each classification – the five-year commercial/industrial program and three-year residential program,” said Ed Emerick, training director for the Youngstown…
Both local chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have a storied history in the Mahoning Valley, each setting the standard for safety, quality workmanship and community service. As the voice of the electrical construction industry, NECA was first started in 1901 by a group of electrical…
Homeowners and rental property owners in the Mahoning Valley are flipping the switch on traditional thinking and migrating to high-efficiency lighting, backup power and smart technology in their homes. And NECA-IBEW Electricians member contractors are ready to meet the demand. “Everything has pretty much moved to LED,” said Nick Berni, project manager at Gulu Electric….
What once was the former Wean United site in downtown Youngstown has been revived as the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, with member contractor Tri-Area Electric at the heart of the project. “Last summer, this area was just an open field essentially full of rubble and dirt,” said Michael Johnston, project manager for Tri-Area Electric. “Now, this…
Coming from a long line of family military service, including his grandfather and brother, Mike Rowbotham knew at a young age what branch of the military he wanted to serve in. “When I was in second grade, I told my mom I wanted to join the Marines,” he said. After enlisting in July 2012, Rowbotham…
Safety – both for employees and customers – is at the forefront of each electrical project our member contractors take on. “Safety is a state of mind,” said Eric Davis, training director for the Warren Electrical JATC. “You have to want to work safe. Sometimes that means you have to take your time and think…