Author Archives: necaibew







Nate Castle, IBEW Local 573, explains conduit bending to students at the MVST Expo in Canfield.

Skilled Trades Expo offers glimpse into electrical trade


The idea of the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo is to have students get their hands dirty and find a potential career path they wouldn’t have otherwise considered. Nearly 5,000 students flocked to the new event center at the Canfield Fairgrounds between September 20 and 21. This was the fourth year for the event. There […]

Dickey Electric involved in South Range H.S. stadium upgrades over the past few years including entrance, ticket booths, grandstand, team room, a plaza that overlooks the field and restrooms.

Dickey Electric puts the shine on South Range stadium


The Friday night lights are bright at South Range’s Rominger Stadium. Football fans are enjoying a new experience after a series of upgrades over the last few years. The work on started in 2017 and then progressed in phases. This year’s improvements took three months to complete and were done just in time for the […]

New apprentice recruiting videos paint a first-hand picture of life as a union electrician


From making a good living to living a good life, the electrician apprenticeship program is as unique of a career opportunity as the individuals matriculating through it. That dual focus was the aim of a new series of videos launched by NECA-IBEW Electricians of the Mahoning Valley to appeal to apprentice candidates. Canfield’s 898 Marketing […]

Eric Carlson, president of Joe "Dickey" Electric, with team from United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley at the reverse raffle event.

Carlsons hailed ‘power couple’ leading United Way 2023 campaign


Bethany and Eric Carlson developed ties to United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley prior to being chosen as the 2023 campaign co-chairs. They’ve witnessed the organization’s initiatives in action within their careers. Now, their deep dedication to creating a better community continues as a couple. They held a successful campaign kickoff in August […]

Steve Boyce and Erin Pope, of Santon Electric, stand at Federal Place demolition project in downtown Youngstown

Santon Electric plays important role in Federal Place demolition


Electricians are needed for wiring new structures, upgrading and making repairs. However, there’s proof they’re an integral part of jobs like the 20 Federal Place demolition in downtown Youngstown. For the last few months, Santon Electric has been disconnecting and rerouting power at the building, and expects to be there until the end of 2023. […]

Alex Birtalan, 22, receives LMCC scholarship for second year.

Two-time LMCC scholarship winner steadfast in career dreams


With at least two years of classes left in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology, Alex Birtalan has a “can’t-stop-won’t-stop” mentality. For the second year, he received the NECA-IBEW Electricians’ scholarship through the YSU Foundation. Birtalan, 22, of Salem, attends YSU part-time and works as much as possible as a junior estimator at […]

Coates Car Care on South Avenue in Boardman

University Electric is workin’ at the car wash, yeah


The final phase of construction on the state-of-the-art Coates Car Care on South Avenue in Boardman is nearly complete. The roof has been on for more than six months, and University Electric is steadily working to complete their portion of the project. “Electricians have the bulk of the work here. There’s not a single spot […]

Becdel Controls foreman Ryan Brant on second floor of wellness and recreation center.

Project Focus: Becdel Controls on the job at Warren wellness and recreation center


The steel outline of the new wellness and recreation center at Warren G. Harding High School can be seen towering between the school and Mollenkopf Stadium. Excitement in the community is building as contractors continue to pour hours of work into the construction. Architects with Phillips Sekanick say the idea for the center started coming […]

Pinball machines floor shot showing electrical outlets

CR Electric goes full tilt on Girard retro pinball and video game arcade project


All generations of gamers can get their fill of nostalgia and fun at Past Times pinball and video arcade in Girard. It’s been open since June 1 and features about 600 machines. Some of them are nearly a century old while others are newly released. Past Times is in the former Santisi’s IGA building on […]

Electricians help school’s trap team target success


The Springfield Local Schools’ trap shooting team is aiming for greatness with support from the NECA-IBEW Electricians. The team’s second season is wrapping up on a high note. The sport involves shooting at fast-moving, clay targets in a designated field. IBEW Local 64 member Dan Donoghue is the head coach. He says the idea started […]