Tag Archives: neca







Jeff Barber, VEC vice president of projects, on stage at NECA convention, being inducted as Fellow into NECA Academy of Contractors.

VEC’s Barber honored as Fellow of NECA Academy of Contractors


A “small but mighty” chapter is making big waves yet again on the national scene. Jeff Barber, the executive vice president of projects at VEC in Girard, has been inducted as a Fellow into the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Academy of Contractors. He was honored during the annual NECA convention in San Diego, Calif. […]

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 shows students how to bend conduit at Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo

Skilled Trades Expo creates a surge of interest in the electrical industry


Projects for the NECA-IBEW Electricians remain steady, but events like the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo are driving awareness about careers in the electrical industry. Since the first expo in 2019, apprenticeship applications have increased for IBEW Locals 64 and 573. “Before we started, until now, they’re up between 10-15 percent. It’s been a good […]

Becdel Controls sets up scoreboard for Brookfield stadium and makes other lighting and electrical upgrades.

Becdel Controls tackles electrical upgrades for new Brookfield stadium


The Friday night lights are at full power at Brookfield stadium this football season. After more than a year, renovations are complete at the field on the district’s K-12 campus.   Becdel Controls took the lead on the electrical work. The company, along with others, was acknowledged in an article by Brookfield’s News on the […]

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 […]

University Electric doing work at Ward Beecher Planetarium at YSU.

University Electric enters a new galaxy at YSU planetarium rebuild


Celestial views are returning to the YSU planetarium at Ward Beecher Hall. Renovations have wrapped up following a fire that severely damaged the building’s roof in January 2023. University Electric realized very quickly that it was going to be a challenging and unique project. “There was so much water and smoke damage. Everything was ruined. […]

Mazzella Electric’s “wiring artwork” to make Boardman animal hospital shine


Professional creativity at the soon-to-be Ebert Animal Hospital in Boardman has been key for Mazzella Electric. The building, which sits on Route 224 across from St. Charles Church, used to be a nursing home and is now being renovated. Mazzella started electrical work in March 2024. Major repairs and changes were needed since it had […]

"Joe" Dickey Electric installing light pole at The Walnut Grove in Canfield.

Curbing vandals: Dickey Electric rallies with electricians to light up Walnut Grove playground


“Joe” Dickey Electric, along with the Youngstown and Warren LMCCs, helped secure the popular Walnut Grove inclusive playground in Canfield by installing a large LED light fixture at no cost to the local non-profit organization. The project was in response to a call for help after property damage from vandalism in 2023. The Walnut Grove […]

University Electric crew working on wiring for EV chargers that will go in the parking lot on Fifth Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard in Youngstown.

Full power: University Electric setting up chargers for EV drivers in Youngstown


Charging stations will soon be available for EV drivers in two parking lots in downtown Youngstown. University Electric is the contractor hooking up the service and installing them. The existing Kress lot, next to West Federal Street, will eventually have two stations capable of charging four vehicles at a time. “We have not started there […]

New leader for Mahoning Valley NECA: Attorney Chris Sammarone takes reins


A practicing attorney for 25 years, Chris Sammarone is the new executive director for the Mahoning Valley NECA chapter. He officially took the helm on May 1. He fills the seat left by Tom Lipka, who held the position since 2019. Lipka was recently promoted to a field representative position for NECA’s Eastern Region. Coincidentally, […]