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IEC Workforce Services Continue Throughout Summer

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IEC Workforce Services Continue Throughout Summer
By: Hance Joiner, IEC Georgia Workforce Recruiter

This summer, we had the privilege to watch IEC Apprentices be awarded their Journeyworker certificates. A few days later we joined high school students, college students, instructors, and industry professionals from all over the country at the National Skills USA Competition. IEC contractors and staff set up, administered, and judged the Residential Wiring competition, with 72 student competitors, and the Industrial Motor Controls competition, with 41 students. 

IEC staff/contractors attended and provided hands-on training at Camp T&I in Brunswick (6/3) and Calhoun (7/16). Camp T&I is a yearly summer camp for high school construction instructors where they hear from industry stakeholders and learn various hands-on construction skills. 

In addition to supporting Camp T&I, IEC staff/contractors spoke at and hosted a field trip for Georgia Tech’s “Electrical Systems and Sustainability” summer camp (7/17). IEC Atlanta also hosted a parent’s night, to provide valuable information to candidate stakeholders, like the use of the 529 Plan to cover apprenticeship costs. 

With high school students returning to classes soon, Marcus Benson and Hance Joiner are making plans for fall visits, Skills Challenge competition support, and more! Make sure you stay connected with your local Workforce Coordinator to stay tapped into IEC’s workforce services!

Georgia Chapter contractors, please take a minute to respond to the 2025 Wage Survey. Responses are due by July 31 and will assist the IEC in setting an accurate minimum wage scale, as is required by the DoL. The responses also help your Workforce Coordinator when providing accurate and up to date data for candidates and stakeholders.

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IEC Atlanta Congratulates the 2025 Apprentice of the Year, Miguel Lara Mejia

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IEC Atlanta Congratulates the 2025 Apprentice of the Year, Miguel Lara Mejia

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta/GA Marketing and Communications Coordinator/ Todd Hawkins, VP of Membership

IEC announced the winner of its 2025 Apprentice of the Year on June 21st, during its 55th IEC Apprenticeship graduation.  Congratulations to Miguel Lara Mejia of Wiring Solutions! 

There was a total of 11 Apprentice of the Year competitors. These 4th year apprentices competed in the annual IEC Wire- Off competition during the 2025 Power Show in April.  The competitors demonstrated their IEC acquired skills in the following areas:

  • Precision Pipe Bending
    • A Motor Control Project
    • A rigorous written exam

The winner isn’t announced until graduation and the 2025 IEC Apprenticeship Graduation revealed the long-awaited winner of the 2025 Apprentice of the Year!

All competitors received prizes from Milwaukee Tool, DeWalt, Southwire, and other IEC Partner Members in recognition of their achievement and professionalism.

Thank you to Milwaukee Tool for providing tools and tool pouches to the winners.

Winners:
•  1st Place and our 2025 Apprentice of the Year: Miguel Lara Mejia, Wiring Solutions
•  2nd Place: Gabriel Hernandez, TH Mize Electric Company

  • 3rd Place: Jonathan Hanson, Pat Murphy Electric, Inc.

Great job competitors!  IEC and your contractors are extremely proud of you! 

Federated Insurance awarded the Apprentice of the Year a $500 cash prize, Southwire awarded him with the Top Gun award and he will represent the IEC Atlanta Chapter at the IEC National SPARK Conference in Phoenix, AZ in September! Good Luck Miguel! IEC Atlanta will be cheering for you!

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IEC Celebrates Its Largest Graduating Class

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IEC Celebrates Its Largest Graduating Class

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta/GA Marketing and Communications Coordinator/ Todd Hawkins, VP of Membership

IEC hosted its 55th Apprenticeship Graduation on June 21st at the Crowne Plaza in Norcross, Georgia.  With a total of 137 graduates classifying as either 4-year IEC Apprenticeship Program or the Professional Electricians Program (PEP) graduates, not only is this the largest graduating class yet, but a total of 623 family, friends, contractors, partner members and IEC staff were in attendance for this momentous event!

Graduates and guests were welcomed by IEC’s Executive Director, Niel Dawson. Congratulatory and inspiring messages were delivered throughout the ceremony.  Recorded messages from Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner, Rivera Holmes and IEC National President, Troy Corrigan, to the onstage presence of the author of newly passed IEC Bill 180 and President of Southern Electric Company, Mahsa Poorak; who introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, Georgia State Representative of District 99, Matt Reeves.  Mr. Reeves emphasized the importance of the electrical industry and the important work that each graduate completed to become part of it.  Congratulations on doing the important part first!

In this graduating class is another first; a special group that began their IEC journey with IEC Atlanta and Georgia chapters Pre-Apprenticeship Program (PAP).  8 graduates without any experience, first completed the PAP and were hired by IEC contractors who took a chance on them.  On this day, they are the first from the PAP to graduate from the IEC 4- year apprenticeship program. More are expected to follow in their footsteps soon!  IEC Atlanta and Georgia Deputy Director, Jeff Rogers had the honor of recognizing this trailblazing group of graduates.

24 graduates received an Academic Achievement award for maintaining a 90% or higher GPA throughout the program. 5 graduates were presented with the Academic Excellence Award (Top Graduate in each program.)  

Congratulations to the following Top Graduates:

  • Justin Barton, Jordan Electric Co – 4-Year In-Person, Georgia Chapter
    • Nathan Ellington, LMI Systems – PEP Online
    • Miguel Lara Mejia, Wiring Solutions – 4-Year In-Person
    • Richard Medrano Gonzalez, Meer Electrical Contractors – PEP In-Person
    • Nickolas Wallace, Wallace Electric Company – 4-Year Online

IEC recognized a special IEC Instructor, Melissa Slate on receiving the Mike Gunter Achievement Award for her dedication to teaching and mentoring at the IEC.  Great teachers are a key part to making the apprenticeship program successful.

The anticipated announcement of the 2025 Apprentice of the Year recognized Miguel Lara Meija of Wiring Solutions!  Miguel will represent the Atlanta chapter at the National Spark conference in Arizona in September as he competes nationally for the Apprentice of the Year!

Finally, congratulations to all of the graduates who walked across the stage to receive their certificates and earn the title of Electrician in all 50 states from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship and IEC.

Thank you to Milwaukee Tool and DeWalt for providing gifts to all the 2025 graduates!

If you missed this program, or you want to re-live the moment, the video will be posted on IEC’s YouTube account.  Thank you for joining the celebration of the graduating IEC Apprenticeship Class of 2025!

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IEC Columbus Golf Tournament Connects GA Chapter Members and Guests

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IEC Columbus Golf Tournament Connects GA Chapter Members and Guests

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta/ GA Marketing and Communications Coordinator

On Friday, June 13th, IEC Georgia chapter hosted its 2025 Columbus Golf Tournament at the Maple Ridge Golf Club in Columbus, Georgia.  15 teams assembled of Contractor members, partner members and guests, joined in a competitive and fun networking opportunity at this 18-hole championship golf course!  They came to play hard, and that’s exactly what the IEC Columbus golfers did!

Congratulations to those who would rise to the occasion and leave this event with their well-deserved trophies.

  • 1st Place- Team Interstate with Andy Robbins, Justin Gordon, Tracey Hurst and Brandon Summers
  • 2nd Place- Team Smith Gray Electric with Trip Reynolds, Troy Davis, Eddie Mitja, and Joey Barfield
  • 3rd Place- Team Brasfield and Gorrie with Sean Meguiness of Dewalt, Tyler Martindill, Blake Riley and Kyle Henry
  • Closest to the Pin- Ashley Bell of Interstate Electrical
  • Longest Drive- Chaz Willbon

Thank you for coming out and being a part of an IEC event!  See pictures from this event here.

Special thanks to the sponsors that make IEC golf tournaments next level!  Tournament and hole sponsors, Lowe Electric Supply Company, SM Ellis Company, Smith Gray Electric Company, Interstate Electrical NetPlanner Systems, Inc., McNaughton-McKay Electric Company and Marsh McLennan Agency, IEC appreciates your partnership and support!  Longest Drive award was sponsored by BenSource, and Closest to the Pin award was sponsored by Interstate Electrical!  See full list of sponsors here.

Please check our event page or social media pages for upcoming events.  We would love to have you join us at the Augusta or Macon Golf tournaments, and our monthly luncheon meeting on August 6th!

 

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IEC Georgia Savannah Golf Tournament Hits at the Savannah Harbor Westin

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IEC Georgia Savannah Golf Tournament Hits at the Savannah Harbor Westin

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta/ GA Marketing and Communications Coordinator

1st Place

IEC Georgia hosted its annual Savannah Golf Tournament on Friday, May 2nd at the Club at Savannah Harbor Westin.  22 teams converged on these luxurious grounds ready for a day of networking and competitive golf.

As attendees made their rounds, there were a few who left a trail of “follow me to victory” in their wake.  Congratulations to the tournament winners!

  • 1st Place goes to team City of Savannah with Shawn Johnson, Brad Kirby, Danny Roberson and Tyler Wilson, earning a score of 58.
  • 2nd place goes to team BobCat with Andy Atkins, JD Hoft, Daniel Hudson and Brent Martin scoring 60.
  • 3rd place goes to team Southway Crane with Shan Crosby, Trey King, David Koneman and Lyn Leebern scoring 60 as well.
  • Tommy Rushing of Rushing Electric wins Closest to the Pin.
  • Tyler Wilson of City of Savannah- Southwire wins Longest Drive.

What a fabulous day of winning!  See pictures of these winners and more here.

With every IEC event there are dedicated sponsors who team up with IEC to make sure events are top tier.  Thanks so much to the Master Level Sponsor, Coastal Electric of Georgia!  We appreciate your support!  Additional thank you goes to the Electrician Level Sponsor, CED and Apprentice Level Sponsor Eaton.   There are so many that show up and make the Golf tournament the best!

  • Copperweld-Coastal Electric – Longest Drive Sponsor
  • Ace Electric- Drink Cart
  • Hole Sponsors- Gexpro, Coastal Electric, CED-Legrand, ESSE, City Electric Supply- Legrand, Eaton, SESCO, Southwire, BobCat
  • Table and Tent- Bensource, On Electric Services, LLC., Aerotek

Our next networking events are Columbus Golf on June 13th at Maple Ridge Golf Club and our IEC graduation happens livestream and in person on June 21st.  Watch for details!

 

Bill Signed

Electrical Industry History Made! IEC Atlanta Chapter Gets SB 180 Bill Signed!

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Electrical Industry History Made! IEC Atlanta Chapter Gets SB 180 Bill Signed!

By:Niel Dawson, IEC Atlanta/GA Chapter Executive Director

On Monday, April 28th, Mahsa Poorak, IEC Government Affairs Chair, IEC Lobbyist Joel Wiggins, and Executive Director Niel Dawson attended the SB 180 billing signing ceremony at the Grand Hyatt, Buckhead, with Governor Kemp. Many other state Senators and Representatives attended, including the Bill sponsor, Senator Clint Dixon, House Speaker Jon Burns, and Chair of the Higher Education Committee Max Burns.

SB 180 is the first bill IEC has introduced, and the legislature praised it. It allows apprenticeship sponsors registered with the US Department of Labor to apply for grant funding. Previously, only employers were permitted to apply for funding from the state.  The Technical College System of Georgia administers the funding, just as all workforce funding flows.  SB 180 was one of three bills signed at the ceremony that support workforce training.

“As the No.-1 state for business, Georgia has seen record-breaking jobs and investment come to communities in every part of the state,” Kemp said. “With the bills I signed today, we’re taking further steps to prepare Georgians to walk through those open doors.”

Dawson expressed that introducing, spearheading, getting this bill signed, and being present for the signing are among the high points of his career.  The next step is working with the legislature and the Technical College System of Georgia to increase funding for the High Demand Apprenticeship Program.

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1,200 Attend the 2025 IEC Atlanta/GA Power Show

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1,200 Attend the 2025 IEC Atlanta/GA Power Show

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta & GA Chapters Membership and Marketing Coordinator
IEC Atlanta/ GA Chapter held its annual Power Show on April 8th at the Jim Miller Park & Events Center in Marietta, GA from 1pm to 6pm.  It was the largest turnout yet with 1,200 in attendance!  IEC Contractors, partners, apprentices and guests massed at what you could call a “Power Source” for everything electrical.

Those in attendance visited 65 exhibitors that offered information and, or experiences with materials, supplies, industry practices, resources to improve jobs, or even to acquire jobs.  Interactive displays and industry applicable conversations provided attends with a wealth of knowledge and multiple organization’s gifts.

Located in the center of the event, the 2025 wire-off had 11 competitors, 4th year apprentices competing while demonstrating their skills in conduit bending and motor control wiring.  The winner will win $500 and represent IEC Atlanta at the National Apprentice of the Year (AOY) competition in Pheonix, Arizona in September.  We find out the winner during graduation on June 21st.

If that wasn’t enough, attendees could participate in the silent G.I.F.T. auction where some rare finds were available to bid on, and proceeds go to the G.I.F.T. foundation, which provides scholarships for IEC apprentices. Attendees always look forward to the ongoing raffle for prizes during the Power Show, some left with nice prizes. 

Free barbecue was prepared onsite and drinks were available to all.  It was a full house during the 2025 Power Show, and we anticipate next year being even more grand! You can view pictures from this event below.

There is a lot of support and work that goes into the Power Show.  The wine, beer and soft drinks were compliments of Elliot Electric Supply, SESCO Lighting and HESCO Supply. Eaton, Graybar & DeWalt sponsored food, which includes the delicious barbecue prepared by Chad Brooks, Justin Mercer, Mike Sasser and Carlton Eaton.  On Electrical Services and Smart Lighting Solutions sponsored the show bags.   Milwaukee sponsored lanyards, Square D sponsored the VIP gift, Lade & WESCO the cups.  Mike Gunter was project manager for the AOY competition.  IEC is thankful for your contributions.          

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Members Connect and Enjoy Annual Fishing Tournament

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Members Connect and Enjoy Annual Fishing Tournament

By: Marie Thornton, IEC Atlanta & GA Chapters Membership and Marketing Coordinator

On Saturday, March 22nd, IEC Atlanta hosted its annual fishing tournament at the Lawrenceville Shoals Recreation Area at Lake Oconee.  With 27 boats/teams embarking on a morning of competitive fishing, winners would later return with their dominating share of the catch.  Participants receive prizes, food, beverages and let’s not forget the winner’s trophies!

Congratulations to the winners;

1st place- Team Eckart, with Mike Drummond and Elijah Drummond.  Their catch weighed in at a total of 17.14 pounds. 

2nd place- Team Atlantic Workforce, with Joseph Weathers.  Joseph’s catch weighed in at a total of 15.6 pounds.

3rd place- Team NetZeroUSA, with teammates Taylor Keinat and Steven Hardy bringing in 11.73 pounds.

Finally, 4th place- Team WS. Nielsen Company, Inc.  Teammates Michael Nielsen and Frank Ramey weren’t far behind NetZeroUSA with their catch weighing in at 11.16 pounds.

As we celebrate first through fourth places, there is a participant that stands out with accomplishing the feat of catching the biggest fish of the outing.  Congratulations to David Hardin of Atlantic Workforce.  David’s “Big Fish” came in at a whopping 5.56 pounds!

Great job to the top competitors, and a thank you to everyone who showed up to venture out on the lake with IEC.  You can find the winners and more pictures from this event below.

IEC Contractors and members work hard, and IEC events provide a place to connect with the industry, and enjoy themselves.  Of course, a key factor in the success of an IEC event are the sponsors. 

IEC would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting this event, and coming out to get to know the members.  Thank you to Titan Electric Companies, Coastal Electric of Georgia, Inc., NetZeroUSA Commercial LED Lighting, and ABC of Georgia. 

Please come out to our upcoming events.  Savannah golf on May 2nd and Columbus golf on June 13th.  In addition, be sure to register to attend the Power Show if you haven’t done do already and follow our event page for any upcoming events.

Tort Reform. File Folder is taking by a hand from office shelf. Red Text is on the label of the documents.

Tort Reform Tightrope

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Tort Reform Tightrope

By:Niel Dawson, IEC Atlanta, Georgia, Executive Director

Cracks have formed in the Kemp-led effort to shield businesses and insurers from big lawsuit payouts amid fierce opposition from crime victims, who turned out in droves this week to slam tort reform and spurred fresh doubts among on-the-fence House lawmakers.

After sailing through the Senate last month, the reform measures outlined in Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Senate Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, hit a wall of criticism and scrutiny that has blocked the bill from advancing to the House floor for a final vote.

Leaders are rushing to shore up support following caucus meetings and whip counts that indicate the bill might not have enough votes to clear the House without certain changes, according to people close to those talks who spoke with State Affairs on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal party matters.

Potential changes to the bill would likely center on so-called negligent security lawsuit protections, which opponents say could shield bad-actor businesses from liability and open the door to attacks from predators at places such as day care centers, assisted living facilities, gyms, apartment complexes and hotels.

Kennedy’s office declined to comment for this story, referring questions from State Affairs to the governor’s office.

Kemp, who has made tort reform his top priority this session, has shown no signs of backing down on those protections, which he and the bill’s supporters have argued would guard businesses from frivolous lawsuits and help lower skyrocketing insurance premiums.

“The governor, he wants this damn thing passed no matter what,” Rep. Alan Powell, R-Hartwell, one of the Legislature’s longest-serving members, told State Affairs.

It is unclear if the governor would support any changes to the tort reform bill. In a statement Friday, a Kemp spokesperson noted that “we look forward to continuing our work with legislators to get meaningful tort reform done.”

“Let’s be clear: The governor has been and is committed to a balanced and commonsense tort reform package that doesn’t prevent any Georgian who has been wronged from getting the justice they deserve,” Garrison Douglas, Kemp’s press secretary, said in the statement. “This issue has been studied extensively, in addition to the robust conversations with stakeholders on all sides, and the governor will continue to be open to conversations and constructive recommendations throughout the legislative process.“

If it remains unchanged, the reform bill would need to pass in only the House to head to Kemp’s desk for his signature. Changes would send the bill back to the Senate for more votes.

The bill must first gain approval from the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform before the full House can vote. The subcommittee’s chairman, Rep. Rob Leverett, R-Elberton, has not yet indicated when he may schedule a vote on the bill.

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IEC Atlanta/GA Hosts Industrial Motor Controls Competition at SkillsUSA

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IEC Atlanta/GA Hosts Industrial Motor Controls Competition at SkillsUSA

By:Hance Joiner, IEC Georgia Workforce Recruiter

On February 20-22, high school students and post secondary students showcased their skills across multiple disciplines and industries like construction, health science, and leadership. For more than 25 years, the IEC hosted the Industrial Motor Controls competition, putting students’ wiring and conduit bending skills to the test. 

IEC staff spoke with middle school students, high school students, post secondary students, instructors, parents, and administrators. We had the opportunity to create new partnerships, while reinforcing existing ones. Staff and instructors also led hands on activities where participants learned how to wire up single pull, 3-way, and 4-way switches, carrying on the IEC’s mission to train and educate the next generation of electricians.  See pictures from this event below.

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