Tag Archives: electrical trade







Local 64 picnic surges with celebration for apprentices


IBEW Local 64 picnic had all the energy as it celebrated achievements, camaraderie and pride in the electrical trade. It was held at the Youngstown Shrine Club pavilion in North Lima on June 11. At least 50 apprentices from all levels gathered to recognize their hard work, build connections and reflect on their progress. They […]

Faces of the Trade: Sometimes a “Plummer” makes a great electrician


The original blueprint for Tom Plummer’s life didn’t include being an electrician, but at the end of the day, he knew he wanted more than a desk job.   Originally from Clarion, Pa., Plummer spent four years at Penn State Dubois, where he pitched for the baseball team and earned a degree in Human Development […]

Birtalan adds “penguin power” to career in electrical industry


What felt like a setback early in Alex Birtalan’s career ended up wiring him for growth within the electrical industry. He started as an electrician apprentice with “Joe” Dickey Electric in 2019. Three months in, he found out he was color blind, which then made it unsafe for him to be in the field. After […]

Michon Peterson, journeyman electrician, talks with students at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo in September 2024.

Young journeyman electrician’s career wired by words of wisdom


Michon Peterson’s decision to become a journeyman electrician started with a piece of advice from a family member. “My grandpa used to be a pipefitter,” he said. “He always told me to look into the trades.” Peterson took those words seriously, and the electrical trade was the first one he explored. He initially considered college […]

Students competition in the regional SkillsUSA competition at IBEW Local 64 and Youngstown Area Electrical JATC in Boardman.

Skills competition amps up students aiming for electrical trade


The IBEW Local 64 hall in Boardman became a hub of determination as it hosted the electrical trade’s construction wiring portion of the Northeast Regional SkillsUSA Competition. This was Local 64’s second year hosting the event, which moves to a new location every two years. Growing interest in electrical trades Ten students from career and […]

Amy and Matt Connelly, with Austin Claussell, the first-time recipient of a memorial scholarship in honor of their son, Adam.

Honoring a dream: Friend of late IBEW Local 573 apprentice first to receive memorial scholarship


It was an emotional moment for Amy and Matt Connelly to present the first-ever memorial scholarship in honor of their son to his lifelong friend. Adam Connelly, 21, passed away in November 2022 following a car accident. At the time, Adam was a second-year apprentice with IBEW Local 573. In his memory, the Connellys are […]

Apprentice Grace Morrison helps students bend conduit at the Mahoning Valley SKilled Trades Expo.

Students connect to the value of a career in the electrical trade


Droves of students flocked to the electrical exhibit at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo on September 17-19. They were learning to bend conduit, testing out a virtual reality tool that walks them through various electrical tasks, talking with apprentices about basic wiring and what a career is like, as well as getting an up-close […]

Eric Carlson, president of "Joe" Dickey Electric, with Alex Birtalan, junior estimator at Dickey Electric, outside truck at the office.

Electricians award two YSU scholarships in 2024


NECA-IBEW Electricians doubled down this year in support of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at Youngstown State University in the electrical industry. Two students received an LMCC scholarship through the YSU Foundation. IBEW Local 64 and Mahoning Valley NECA awarded Nick DeLullo a $500 scholarship. Nick’s father, John, is a journeyman at Dickey Electric and a […]

Grace Morrison, IBEW Local 573 apprentice, working on switches at Warren JATC.

She’s got grit: Local 573 apprentice lights path for women in the electrical trade


Grace Morrison doesn’t want or expect special treatment when it comes to her career. She wants to be known as a hard worker with a good attitude, determination and the willingness to learn. And with those qualities, she hopes to be a natural leader in the electrical trade. The 25-year-old is a third-year apprentice at […]

Kenny Lucas, IBEW Local 64 president/organizer, outside union hall.

Lucas makes move to Local 64 leadership role  


After more than 20 years as a journeyman electrician, Kenny Lucas is taking on new challenges as the president/organizer for IBEW Local 64. He’s adjusting from life on job sites to helping manage about 430 union members. He’s responsible for building and monitoring membership and leading union meetings. Lucas also stays aware of what’s happening […]