Tag Archives: Warren







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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Marcus Durig, Jerry Kagy, and Jeff Mendenhal (left to right), of TSquared Electrical inside building to be Caliber Collision in Struthers.

TSquared Electrical shapes up new auto collision shop


It’s a classic “out with the old, and in with the new” project for TSquared Electrical in Struthers. The former Sandy’s Auto Body on Youngstown-Poland Road was recently sold and will reopen as Caliber Collision. TSquared has been rewiring and upgrading the service at the building. It’s currently being reconstructed for operation by the new […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]