Tag Archives: signatory contractors







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. […]

Mike Engle, project manager at University Electric, and Ivan Lindberg, apprentice-to-be.

University Electric bakes new energy into Insomnia Cookies on YSU campus


A key ingredient in the recipe for an Insomnia Cookies coming to YSU campus is University Electric. The bakery plans to open sometime in fall 2024 at the corner of North Hazel Street and Lincoln Avenue. After spending just over a month on the project, electricians wrapped up their work in early October. Starting from […]

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 […]

IBEW Local 64 apprentice picnic. Cody Hilliard, Ed Emerick and Kenny Lucas.

A powerful picnic: Local 64 celebrates apprentices


There was a strong sense of camaraderie at the IBEW Local 64 and Youngstown Area Electrical JATC apprentice picnic on June 13. It was a chance for everyone to talk shop without tool belts. Among the festivities at the Youngstown Shrine Club pavilion, completers of the three-year residential and five-year commercial/industrial programs were recognized with […]

Cody Hilliard and Kenny Lucas, of IBEW Local 64, at guidance counselors presentation about skilled trades.

Electricians school educators about skilled trades careers


The teachers became the students at an information session about skilled trades careers. Around 70 area guidance counselors and educators gathered at the Sheet Metal JAC Training Center in Boardman to learn about the many opportunities for young people in the building trades. Eric Davis, training director at the Warren Electrical JATC, was among the […]

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 […]

Eric and Bethany Carlson, United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley 2023 co-chairs.

Best campaign ever: Carlsons help bring in record funds for United Way


It’s a fundraising number the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has never seen in its 105-year existence. Eric Carlson, president of “Joe” Dickey Electric, and his wife, Bethany, served as 2023 campaign co-chairs and helped bring in more than $3.7 million for the organization. The Carlsons have been involved with United Way […]

Shawn and Tyler Campbell, of Connected Technologies

Contractor profile: Success comes quick for Connected Technologies


To say business is growing at a “rapid pace” is an understatement for Shawn Campbell, co-owner and project estimator at Connected Technologies. The company started in March 2021, and the number of completed jobs has more than doubled since then. Connected Technologies is a low-voltage contractor dealing with the installation of data cables/towers, fiber optics, […]

Top 10 stories of 2023. Collage featuring Dahler Electric, CR Electric, Dickey Electric, Tri-Area Electric

Lights out 2023: Top 10 stories for NECA-IBEW Electricians


Another year is down to the wire, and it’s typically a time for looking back on accomplishments. It’s been a busy, full year for NECA-IBEW Electricians. As the most trusted, professional electricians in the area prepare for 2024, here’s a look at the top 10 stories of 2023:  NECA-IBEW Electricians makes up a highly trained union […]

IBEW Local 573 donates 20 bikes for children at Trumbull County Children Services

Another gear: Local 573’s Christmas bike donation reaches 20 children in-need


Todd Ambrose said he just couldn’t imagine waking up as a kid on Christmas and not having a gift under the tree. That’s the sentiment that keeps the IBEW Local 573 business manager and the entire union local coming back to support Trumbull County Children Services. This year, the union electrical workers donated, assembled and […]