Faces of the Trade: Lindberg wires in a reliable reputation
As a 20-year-old first-year apprentice with IBEW Local 64, Ivan Lindberg is already chasing the kind of reputation that has to be earned.
He’s currently working with University Electric, and in early 2026, he was at the chiller plant for Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in downtown Youngstown. The system cools water that’s distributed to the hospital.
Being the guy who gets it done
Lindberg had the opportunity to help plan and execute the layout for new panels being installed, along with overhead conduit runs and some controls work.
“A lot of apprentices don’t get this early on, so it’s a privilege to be able to do this,” Lindberg said.
Other than doing his best every day, he has another goal for his electrical career.
“I want to be ‘that guy’.”
For him, that means doing a job correctly every time and being reliable.
Lindberg believes that quality matters because it reflects on the contractor and the crew, and it can bring in more jobs down the line.
“If the company gets more work, I know I’ll be working.”
From expo floor to job site door
His path into the electrical trade was mainly influenced by family. Lindberg’s dad built a career as an engineer in electrical maintenance, and his uncle was an IBEW Local 64 electrician before retiring.
Lindberg also remembers visiting the Skilled Trades Expo at the Canfield Fairgrounds in high school.
“I got to see all the trades, but I talked to some of the electricians there at the time. They knew my uncle, of course, and it was always a great conversation starter.”
After graduation, he decided to apply for the apprenticeship with Local 64 but didn’t get in. At the time, he worked in landscaping and the fast food industry but then was offered a Construction/Wireman (CW) position.
For 10 months, that allowed him to gain experience in the trade, which included his first-ever job at Insomnia Cookies on the YSU campus.
Then, on his second attempt, he officially made it into the apprenticeship.
Lindberg’s list of projects has grown ever since. He’s worked at United Local’s new school, Meander Reservoir and the wastewater treatment plant, Girard’s water pump station and the Mercy Health-Lifepoint Behavioral Hospital.
Lindberg seized every opportunity at the behavioral hospital – pushing for more responsibility and the chance to take on complex electrical work alongside the journeyman.
“It was a complex process. I was bending all the conduit, setting and landing transformers and pulling feeders for the panels in a tight electrical room. I expected a lot from myself on that job.”
Having high standards is how he hopes to protect his reputation.
“That’s something I need to uphold because it means a lot to me.”
Steady current, strong future
Brad Kollar, a foreman with University Electric, backs up Lindberg’s strong work ethic.
“He’s always doing extra and asking questions. He helps without being asked and never comes back empty-handed,” Kollar said. “You show him something one time, and he’ll figure it out. That shows initiative.”
Lindberg likes to think long-term when it comes to his electrical career.
“When I top out, I hope to find a company that wants to keep me. The pay, benefits and retirement are important, too.”
When he’s not on a job site, he enjoys playing drums, which he’s done since fifth grade. His other hobbies include boating, fishing, camping and hiking.
Lindberg reflected back on where it all started for perspective on life. He shared that his parents adopted him from Russia in 2007.
“I believe it shows that no matter where you come from, you can end up where you want to be.”
NECA-IBEW Electricians makes up a highly trained union workforce in the area. We’re an association of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
