Connecting Contractors with the Best and Brightest at NECA 2013 Washington D.C.

These students will be the next generation of NECA contractors, and they are eager to learn what skills will help them in the electrical construction industry.

Academy of Electrical Contracting Reception Photos on Flickr

Check out the Academy reception photos, and many more photos on NECA’s Flickr feed, visit flickr.com/necanet >

Monday Recap Video – See What Happened at NECA 2013 D.C.

NECA’s Not Shutting Down — Neither is DC!

from washington.org

Even though Washington, D.C. is experiencing a partial government shutdown, many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the International Spy Museum and Newseum, are still for business, as is Metro rail and bus service to get around town.

Visitors can still tour famous D.C. monuments by Segway and bike, or enjoy the Moonlight Monument Tour by trolley. Artistic alternatives to the National Gallery of Art  include the Phillips Collection and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Many area attractions, tours and restaurants are also offering deals and discounts throughout the government shutdown, including yoga studios and gyms. There’s no cover for the Dueling Pianos show at Bobby McKey’s at the National Harbor either.

Everything you need to know about what attractions, public transportation and venues that are happily open for visitors and locals is available on washington.org!

Read more >>

“Inspiring Leaderships” at 2013 Women In NECA Roundtable

Women In NECA Roundtable

Monday, October 14 • 2:00–4:00 pm

“Inspiring Leadership” at the 2013 Women In NECA Roundtable will focus on leadership opportunities and strategies for industry women now and in the future. If you’re a woman involved within the electrical contracting industry, WIN wants you to join us for this once-a-year event!

The aim of “Inspiring Leadership” is for women to see that there is a rewarding place for them in electrical contracting and NECA, and they don’t have to change who they are to achieve it. They simply have to be true to their best self.  

Join us for three distinct discussions on leadership at this year’s WIN Roundtable:

• The Pathways for NECA Leadership

Frank Piatt, NECA Field Representative, Eastern Region
The basics of how NECA members move through leadership roles on the chapter and national level and the “gender-blind” characteristics that can help you serve as a NECA leader.

• Industry Influence

Carolyn Fazio, Chair & Chief Executive, Fazio International Ltd.
How women are shaping the business of electrical construction and inspiring students to consider careers in electrical construction.

• Keynote: Leadership and How it Differs from Management

Stephane McShane, Senior Consultant, Maxim Consulting Group
Women in construction have unique strengths suited to help them excel in both management and leadership roles.  We will explain how leadership and management differ, what effective leadership looks like, how to lead with greater success, and the benefits of great leadership to your career.

A joint reception with NECA Business Development and Future Leaders will be held immediately after the WIN Roundtable.

About Women In NECA: WIN supports the professional development of women working in the electrical contracting industry through educational and networking events; promotes diversity in the industry; and encourages women to explore careers in the electrical contracting industry. WIN works to make NECA and our industry stronger by advancing women’s goals for professional growth.

Penn State, Iowa State and University of Washington Earn Finalist Spots for 2013 Green Energy Challenge

Annual Student Design Competition Inspires Real Energy Solutions

The 2013 annual Green Energy Challenge student competition, sponsored by ELECTRI International – the Foundation for Electrical Construction – is down to three finalist Student Chapter teams: The Pennsylvania State University, Iowa State University, and the University of Washington.

The finalists were selected by an eight-member competition jury that included electrical contractors and industry allies. Fifteen student teams submitted proposals to conduct an energy audit of a parking structure on campus or in the neighboring community for the initial round of competition. In addition to the technical recommendations offered in each retrofit proposal, teams were judged on construction planning and project management.

2012 Green Energy Challenge poster session in Las Vegas

Finalist teams are responsible for further developing their proposal into presentations for the full jury at the 2013 annual convention of the National Electrical Contractors Association, Oct. 12-15, in Washington, D.C. NECA’s annual Energy Forum will also be held that day; the Energy Forum focusing on the work of electrical contractors in the energy solutions market of renewable power, energy storage and efficiency technology. ELECTRI International hosts the students’ travel to and participation at the event. A poster session of submissions from the participating student chapter teams is also part of the event.

Jurist Phillip Rose, Roman Electric Company, Milwaukee, WI, offered his analysis of the 2013 competition: “Since the beginning of the Green Energy Challenge, the bar has been raised each and every year. This year was the tightest competition we have seen to date. The level of knowledge and professionalism in the proposals were as good as we’ve ever seen. I was really impressed with our three 2013 finalists. After reading their proposals, I can’t wait to see the final three presentations.”

ELECTRI International President Russ Alessi said, “The student teams are bringing cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems that building owners and operators are coping with today. The Green Energy Challenge is an ideal way to explore what options could truly work, with guidance from electrical contractors who have hands-on experience.”

About ELECTRI: ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. is the primary research arm of the electrical construction industry. Foundation research helps to improve the productivity, professionalism, and competitiveness of electrical contractors. ELECTRI International also represents the U.S. electrical construction industry internationally. For more information, visit www.electri.org.

For more information about ELECTRI International and the Green Energy Challenge, contact Sylvia Selwood, ELECTRI Director of Operations and University Relations, at 301-215-4539 or sselwood@necanet.org

Attending NECA 2013 Makes Perfect Business Sense

Early registration is now open for NECA 2013 Washington, DC – the premier electrical construction event that brings together the best minds in the industry together to discuss the opportunities, issues and innovations affecting electrical contractors.

Education Programs

Nearly 50 different educational opportunities to learn from leading experts on the industry trends, business practices and technology shaping electrical contracting today. NECA 2013 Washington, D.C. includes pre-convention workshops, management seminars and technical workshops.

Trade Show

A three-day event featuring more than 300 exhibitors from the leading companies working with electrical construction professionals. NECA Trade Show includes the annual ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine Showstopper Awards of the best innovations in tools, equipment, products and software.

Special Activities

Customized training and networking sessions make NECA 2013 Washington the leading gathering of electrical professionals working in all aspects of the industry. Special sessions include the Third Annual NECA Energy Forum, the Second Annual Safety Forum, NECA’s Student Chapter Summit and 5th Green Energy Challenge, the Women In NECA Roundtable, and a meeting of NECA’s international chapters.

If you’re looking for the best way to get the most education value and networking opportunities for your electrical contracting business, NECA 2013 Washington, Oct. 12-15 is the place to be!

Register Now!

International Electrical Contractors Gather at NECA 2012 Las Vegas

International companies held a special briefing during the recent NECA Convention in Las Vegas to learn more about cross-border happenings in the electrical industry and to network with colleagues from around the world.

Ivan-Malo, UNCE-Mexico, speaks to members of NECA’s International Chapters at NECA 2012 Las Vegas.

Russ Alessi, NECA’s Executive Director of International Development, welcomed participants, especially new NECA members RGTS Power Systems from Saudi Arabia and Olea Controls from Mexico.  Alessi noted that NECA now has 67 international members from 15 countries, with Canada at the forefront boasting 39 companies that have joined NECA.

In addition to individual international members, NECA now has 11 International Chapters. Bermuda, Canada, Honduras, and Korea each have one chapter.  Mexico has three NECA chapters, and Australia hosts four.

The group had the opportunity to learn more about the state of electrical construction through a series of industry reports:

Industry Report Australia_NECA 2012
Oliver Judd, Executive Director, NECA New South Wales Chapter, Australia

Industry Report Honduras_NECA 2012
Charles H. George, Governor, NECA ACEH Honduras

MEXICO National Electrical Contractors UNCE Report
Ivan Malo, President, UNCE Mexico

Report on the ELECTRI International Student Service Project, Belize PV Project Update_NECA2012
Thomas E. Glavinich, University of Kansas

Alessi encouraged participants to sign up for the next ELECTRI International Cross-Border Meeting in Quito, Ecuador, March 13-15, 2013.

Details on NECA international activities and on ELECTRI International programs and services for the international market are available at www.electri.org and at www.necanet.org.

Companies interested in joining NECA as an international member or in establishing an international NECA chapter may contact Russ Alessi at rja@necanet.org or at +1 301-215-4518.

View the ELECTRI International Meeting Presentation 2012 NECA Intl Meeting presentation_Russ Alessi >>

Women In NECA Roundtable: Being the Best You

Three of NECA’s top contractors made up the panel for Women In NECA’s (WIN) annual roundtable yesterday, taking questions from over 80 WIN members about how they built successful companies, without compromising or apologizing and by focusing on being the best at who they really are.

And who they are is proud Women In NECA contractors, who have been lauded by their peers, recognized by their state governors, and loved by their employees.

Gloria Ashford, Susan Ernst and Lynne Harker opened the session by sharing how they entered the industry. Ashford and Ernst established their companies with their IBEW-electrician husbands; Ernst, a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” bought her company after selling her computer-training business. Download 2012 Roundtable Panelist Bios >>

The women described how they’ve adjusted company operations during the economic downturn. Each has made significant changes, with Ernst moving into a completely new market. “We started from scratch. We threw out the old way of doing things, and it forced us to make necessary changes,” she said.

“It’s another way of ‘being the best you’,” Ashford said. “You become more selective. You focus on what you know how to do really well. And you do it better than anyone else.”

When discussing field workforce management and technical knowledge, the women echoed the need to be true to their professional goals and identities. “My door is always open,” Harker said. “Everyone at Placer knows they can come in any time. And I have zero problem with asking someone to explain how something works. People like to talk about their work – I make sure to give them that chance.”

“It’s an attitude,” Ashford said. “I let my employees know that I’m no different from them: I have a family to support and a mortgage to pay. That’s why I’m doing this.

“I’ve worked hard to be a contractor and to be myself,” Ashford continued. “I’m not going to pretend I’m ‘one of the guys,’ because I’m not. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. What would be wrong is for me to act like I was. I’m Gloria, and I’m an electrical contractor.”

“I’ve gravitated to what I do best,” Ernst said. “Sure, sometimes you have to attitude. You have to fake it until you make it. But you will make it.”

Graybar CEO and constant WIN-booster Kathy Mazzarella joined the roundtable audience, and offered her encouragement to the women in the session. “The best revenge is success,” she told the group. “And you don’t have to broadcast what you’ve done. Just exist. You know what you’ve accomplished.”

Rex Ferry Introduces 13 New Academy Fellows

Rex Ferry, NECA past president and current Chairman of the Academy of Electrical Contracting, reported on the activities of the Academy over the past year during Sunday’s General Session.

Ferry reported on the Academy’s 44^th annual meeting held in June in Colorado Springs. He described the keynote address by former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, whose presentation focused on leading with strength and compassion through adverse circumstances.  He also noted that two papers presented at the meeting are now available for download at the Academy’s website.

Ferry then introduced the 13 new Academy fellows selected during the annual meeting:

• Joseph S Boddiford, Jr. (Lee’s Electrical Contracting, Baltimore, Maryland)
• Jimmy D. Coker (Coker Electric, Pine Bluff, Arkansas)
• Thomas Demcsak (Scholes Electric & Communications, Piscataway, New Jersey)
• Michael T. Glasman (Groff Electric, Tacoma, Washington)
• Douglas Hague (Shelley Electric, Wichita, Kansas)
• Jarret D. (Jerry) Hayes (United Electric, Marietta, Georgia)
• David Long (Miller Electric, Jacksonville, Florida)
• Anthony J. Maloney, III (Koontz-Wagner Electric, South Bend, Indiana)
• Gregory A. Rick (Rick Electric, Moorhead, Minnesota)
• Daniel B. Walsh (United Electric, Louisville, Kentucky)
• Wally Hook (Northern Indiana Chapter, NECA)
• Gerald W. Schulz (Michels Power Division of Michels Corp.,Neenah, Wis.)
• Tom Wolden (New River Electrical, Cloverdale, Virginia)

Ferry congratulated the new Fellows with, “Your presence here makes clear your commitment to furthering the horizons of the construction industry.”