The start of a new year also marks the beginning of a leadership change within the Mahoning Valley NECA chapter.
Tom Travers, who held the executive director position since 2007, retired at the end of 2014 and transitioned the role to Jack Savage over the past six months.
Savage is an attorney, formerly with Manchester, Bennett, Powers & Ullman (now Manchester Newman & Bennett) in Youngstown, and also owned and operated Tag Media, a corporate video production agency.
Tom Travers, pictured, retired as executive director of the Mahoning Valley NECA chapter in December 2014. Jack Savage assumed the executive director role in January.
“It is amazing to me how much I’ve learned about this position and the industry as a whole from Tom,” Savage said. “He has been a great mentor and friend to me. I certainly have big shoes to fill, and I will do everything I can to live up to the incredibly high standards he set.”
Travers left an indelible impression on many of the electrical contractors he worked with, and was part of several initiatives that advanced the local electrical industry. His retirement plans include spending part of the year in Florida where he can spoil his grandchildren and work on his golf game.
“Tom has been a good friend for over 25 years. He’s a true professional who has stepped up the MVNECA chapter both locally and nationally, and he’s been a mentor to many of our chapter members, helping them get through their toughest issues,” said Rex Ferry, VEC, Inc. president and CEO. “It’s a shame he’s such a poor golfer, though. He just can’t chip or putt!”
MVNECA is an association of union electrical contractors in the Youngstown-Warren area. The executive director position represents the interests of the member contractors and works with the IBEW locals to promote the local electrical construction industry on behalf of its members.
“He will be truly missed by all who interact with him,” said Jeff Barber, vice president of VEC and MVNECA chapter president. “The electrical industry is a better place with his knowledge, leadership and efforts to support the NECA organization and its signatory contractors both locally and nationally. He is leaving us in good hands with Mr. Savage and has provided all the tools to make that transition seamless.”