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…
Throughout the history of IBEW Local 573, three generations of the Yekel family have made an impact as journeyman wiremen. Tom Yekel has been in the electrical trade for 21 years, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Thomas J., and father, Thomas E. One of Yekel’s favorite moments as an apprentice was working with…
When Victor Flowers looks back at his first day as a commercial electrician apprentice, he can’t help but crack a smile. “On my first job, I had to use what we call a triple-nickel to bend rigid pipe,” Flowers said. “You don’t learn that until your second year [in the apprenticeship], but my first day…
Whether it’s as a commercial electrical apprentice or behind the wheel of a sprint car, Russ Sansosti excels when putting his mind to the test. “The automobile is something that I love. If it’s got four wheels, it’s for me.” As a youngster, Sansosti’s passion for sprint cars began to shift into gear, thanks in…
Kristen Thompson, a junior at Youngstown State University, was awarded the 2018 Mahoning Valley LMCC Scholarship through the Youngstown State University Foundation. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Thompson said. “Without having scholarships, I don’t think college for me would have been a possibility.” As she enters her third year at YSU, Thompson is double majoring in…
When he’s working on a commercial electrical project, Andrew Lemley has a simple mindset. “I like doing something from the ground floor up.” While employed at General Motors, Lemley was looking for a new career path. He applied and was accepted into the residential electrician apprenticeship at the Youngstown Area Electrical JATC. After completing the…