Tag Archives: wiring







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 […]

Dickey Electric gives a “blue glow” to downtown Youngstown bank


A new light has been cast on the Chase Bank in downtown Youngstown – due in part to work by “Joe” Dickey Electric. The branch moved to the ground floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton at the corner of Market and E. Federal St. and opened in March. The bank’s old home was across the […]

Billy Zarlingo, foreman at University Electric, outside the Mercy Health Behavioral Hospital in Liberty.

University Electric brings the energy to behavioral health hospital


Healthcare facilities have been common projects for area electrical contractors, and University Electric is powering one of the latest, the Mercy Health Behavioral Hospital. Construction has been underway on Belmont Avenue in Liberty for the last several months. The building is adjacent to the recently opened rehabilitation hospital. It’s the result of a partnership between […]

Ahren Peplow, the new training director at Youngstown Area Electrical JATC.

Peplow takes the helm as Youngstown JATC training director


There’s a new leader at the forefront of the Youngstown Area Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Ahren Peplow, an experienced electrician and passionate educator, is stepping into the role of training director. He’s replacing Ed Emerick, who’s retiring at the end of February, after being in the position 19 years. Peplow, a dedicated […]

CR Electric blends history and safety for electrical upgrade in Youngstown


A historical home in Youngstown is getting a facelift, and CR Electric has the residential expertise for the electrical upgrade. The Fifth Avenue home was built in 1925, has three floors, six bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. The owners are from South Carolina and plan to relocate once all the renovations are complete. Updating old electrical […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]