The city of Struthers holds a special place in Ray Boila’s heart. It’s his hometown and where he lives with his wife, Jackie, and two sons. It’s also where he gives back to his community, both on the football field and baseball diamond. As a youth coach for the Struthers Little Hardhats, Boila helps instill…
Now in her second year, it’s full steam ahead for commercial electrician apprentice Sara Hartman. “I’ve been involved with quite a few projects in the last couple months, and I love what I’m doing every day.” Hartman’s interest in becoming an electrician first piqued thanks in large part to her family background in the electrical…
Jack Morse’s feelings about the idling of the GM Lordstown plant in 2019 are both personal and professional. The IBEW Local 573 business manager grew up in a “GM family.” His father worked there right from the start, he said. “He was badge number 211,” Morse said, indicating he was among the first ones hired….
This is part two of a two-part series With a projected labor shortage on the horizon, Dan Santon, owner of Santon Electric, believes it’s imperative to find qualified applicants to get into the skilled trades. “This is a problem all over the country,” Santon added. Santon feels high school students need to be educated on…
Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served in the armed forces. For Fred Beike, the day also means a reflection on family and the values he learned throughout his seven years in the National Guard. “Veterans Day is very important to me,” he said. “My father and grandfather were both veterans,…
This is part one of a two-part series. In Dan Santon’s eyes, creating a family-like work atmosphere is a key to success. After high school, Dan worked as a truck driver for a local electrical contracting firm, which led into an apprenticeship with IBEW Local 64. Once he topped out, Dan began working as a…
For fifth-year commercial electrician apprentice Cody Hilliard, a career as a journeyman electrician wasn’t something he originally planned. After beginning on a college path, Hilliard decided to follow his family roots and pursue a career in the electrical trade. “It seemed to be a little bit better suited for myself,” Hilliard said. “When you come…
Since he was young, Joe Kay’s world has revolved around the electrical trade. His father, Dave, started R.D. Kay Electric in 1990 as a one-man shop with a red Ford F-150. As the business grew, Dave organized into IBEW Local 64. “That was basically my childhood,” Joe said. “Riding around in my dad’s work truck,…
For more than 30 years, John Grivensky has been setting and accomplishing his career goals in the electrical trade. Grivensky’s passion for the electrical field began when he was a stock boy at Strouss’ Department Store. “There was a maintenance guy there who did electrical work on the side and for people in the store,”…
Safety and teamwork are two of the most important lessons Zach Zarbaugh has learned over his three years as a commercial electrician apprentice. After attending Youngstown State University and working for a non-union electrician shop, Zarbaugh was looking for a change. He applied for the apprenticeship through the Youngstown Area Electrical JATC knowing he wanted…