By: Niel Dawson, Executive Director, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
The solar industry has been ramping up for years across the country, though not as fast in Georgia, but we’re catching up, and quickly! One of the biggest drivers of the solar industry picking up steam not only in Georgia but across the country is the IRA – the Inflation Reduction Act.of 2022InflationReductionActLaborPolicies2. The IRA requires at least 15% of total labor hours on a project to be performed by a registered apprentice to be phased in by 2024. There are both tax credits for businesses and consumers, as well as penalties for failing to comply with registered apprentices on certain jobs. Here is a good InflationReductionActLaborPolicies2
Licensing varies by state, but Georgia has yet to enact any requirements. However, there has been a speculation of a bill being introduced in the Georgia General Assembly to regulate solar installations under the Public Services Commission. IEC is opposed to any type of regulation of this nature and believes that if any requirements are imposed, it should be under the Construction Industry Licensing Board. See the requirements by state.
Years ago, a low voltage license was enacted in Georgia and now electrical contractors must get a separate license to do low voltage work. We are watching this very closely to ensure something similar to this does not happen again. Electrical contractors must recognize that solar is another type of work that they should be not only aware of, but endorsing as another type of electrical work. IEC is currently working on a solar training curriculum and anticipates offering it later in 2023.
Best-In-Class Sessions Move IEC Members to Next Level in 2023
By: Marie Thornton, Membership and Marketing Coordinator, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
The Best-In-Class Luncheon/Networking series elevated IEC contractors, partners and guests. IEC along with guest speaker Michael Sauer set out on a three-day educational networking trek from Atlanta, to Columbus Georgia, Augusta Georgia, Macon Georgia and finally ending in Savannah. Over 120 guests experienced strategies to lead them to operate at the Best-In-Class level.
The speaker, Michael Sauer, is an Executive Coach, Strategic Planner, Corporate Trainer, Attorney and Leadership Development Professional of Harvard Law, just to name a few of his specialties. IEC is elevating its 2023 networking events, by offering high level business building resources to members.
IEC Atlanta Chapter Installs 2023 Board of Directors
By: Marie Thornton, Membership and Marketing Coordinator, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
IEC Atlanta celebrated its annual Christmas party at Maggiano’s Little Italy at Cumberland. A lot gets accomplished at these meetings, IEC’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors are thanked for a job well done and the new 2022-2023 Board of Directors are sworn in.
Thank you, IEC Atlanta 2021-2022 Board members:
Steve Askea, Ask-Kay Electric – President
Darren Lodge, Excel Electrical Technologies – VP
Nick Young, Putzel Electrical Contractors – Sec./Treas.
Chris Caiaccio, Kilpatrick Townsend–VP of Partners
Bob Harmon, Harmon Electric – Past President
Greg Holloway, EC Services, Director
Mahsa Poorak, Southern Electric Company, Director
John Waldrop, Titan Electric Georgia, Director
Jerry Wartko, Capital City Electrical Service, Director
Tom Young, Penco Electrical Contractors – Director
Bob Harmon, John Waldrop, Jerry Wartko, Chris Caiaccio and Tom Young have completed their terms. Thank you for your dedication to IEC
Welcome to the 2023 -2024 Board of Directors:
Darren Lodge, Excel Electrical Technologies – President
Nick Young, Putzel Electrical Contractors – Vice President
Greg Holloway, EC Services – Secretary/Treasurer
Steve Askea, Ask-Kay Electric – Past President
Jimmy Nall, Mayer – Vice President of Partners
Charlie Brooks, Capital City Electrical Service – Director
John Flynn, Hubbell – Partner Director
Lem Matthis, MetroPower – Director
Mahsa Poorak, Southern Electric Company, Director
BJ Thomas, E-TEC Electrical Contractors – Director
Congratulations to new Atlanta Board members Jimmy Nall, Lem Matthis, John Flynn, Charlie Brooks, BJ Thomas and to President, Darren Lodge and Vice President Nick Young.
IEC’s Annual Christmas Party and Awards Luncheon Highlights 2022 Contributors
By: Marie Thornton, Membership and Marketing Coordinator, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
On December 2nd at Maggiano’s Little Italy at Cumberland, IEC Atlanta GA chapters wished its members a Merry Christmas with its annual Christmas party and awards luncheon. This year IEC celebrated 57 years as an association. There is no doubt that membership growth and association connection account for IEC’s longevity.
Nearly 200 guests celebrated with family style Italian dishes, scrumptious deserts and an open bar. Guests mingled before lunch with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Laughed during lunch with Comedian Carlos Rodriguez, and tables had a few fun gifts along with a raffle ticket for the afternoon finale of prize drawings.
The 2023 Board of Directors was sworn in and dinner and awards commenced.
IEC Atlanta has 160 contractors and 22 were awarded for their length of membership. Congratulation to IEC’s membership awards winners for 2022;
5 Years Membership Award – Absolute Electric, Inc., Britebox Electrical, Fusion Electric Services, LLC, Georgia Central Electrical, Inc., IES Residential, Inc., J & C Electric, Inc., Quality Electric, Southwest Electrical Contracting, Titan Electric Georgia and Vision Electric, LLC.
10 Years Membership Award– J.R Electrical, LLC.
15 Years Membership Award– Capital City Electrical Services, Luca Electric, Inc., Stangood Electric, Inc. and Stanton Electric, Inc.
25 Years Membership Award– Data Power Source and Gold Star Electric, Inc.
30 Years Membership Award– Excel Electrical Technologies
35 Years Membership Award– Donaldson Electric Co., Inc., Meer Electrical Contractors, Pat Murphy Electric, Inc., R.J. Haynie & Associates, Inc.
In addition to the membership awards, there are key members and partners that made major contributions to the IEC association in 2022. IEC and members have benefitted tremendously from these 2022 award winners. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to the IEC.
2022 Award Winners;
Industry Award– Alex Stewart, Ladder
Manufacturer of the Year– Cole Roberts, Schneider Electric
Distributor of the Year– Jimmy Nall, Mayer
Specialty Partner of the Year– John Wadsworth, Strawn & Co. Insurance
President’s Award– Chris Caiaccio, Kilpatrick Townsend
Contractor of the Year– John Waldrop, Titan Electric of GA
IEC has shined brightly in 2022 because of its members. It is only right to shine the spotlight on those who helped to make 2022 a successful year. See pictures from this event here.
IEC’s Awards celebration went great due to the commitment of its sponsors. Special thanks to the Christmas Party Overall Event Sponsor Federated Insurance. IEC appreciates your partnership! Additional sponsors follow:
Prize Sponsors: CED, MetroPower, Inc., Titan Electric Georgia,
Entertainment Sponsor: Hubbell, Vision, Electric, LLC
IAEI Scholarship Recipient Hampton Rushing, IEC Georgia’s Rising Electrical Star
By: Marie Thornton, Membership and Marketing Coordinator, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
IEC Georgia is proud to have apprentice Hampton Rushing of Coastal Electric of Georgia as a rising electrical star in the IEC Georgia Chapter.
Congratulations to Hampton, a 2nd year apprentice in Savannah who is the 2022 recipient of a $1,000 IAEI Scholarship. On Tuesday October 11th Hampton was honored at the IAEI Southern Section meeting.
Who is Hampton? He is a BC Cadet graduating from the all-boys Catholic, Benedictine Military School in Savannah, GA. After graduation he entered the electrical field for a couple of years and then started at Coastal Electric in August of 21. At Coastal, Hampton would shine in the IEC apprenticeship program with his commitment to excel in class as well as in the field. In August of 2022, only 1 year after joining the Coastal Electric team, he received an opportunity to become a mechanic and expectations were once again exceeded. Hampton’s punctuality, professionalism is stellar in conjunction with his patriotism, as he currently serves our country with the 165th Georgia Air National Guard!
Excellent job Hampton Rushing, and congratulations to Coastal Electric of Georgia for recognizing the talent in Rushing Hampton and investing in him!
By: Marie Thornton, Membership and Marketing Coordinator, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
IEC Atlanta held its annual Sporting Clay Shoot on Friday, December 9th at the newly renovated Cherokee Rose Gun Club in Griffin, Georgia. With 14 teams and nearly 60 shooters, the clay shoot targeted a great networking experience!
Registration and warm ups started at 9am and the tournament began at 10am. The competition, lunch and prizes made for an excellent IEC event. Here’s who came out on top!
Congratulation to 1st place winner’s team 9, Latham Moss (85), Chris Webb (88), Travis Kellum (92) and Mo
lly Moss (85) with a total 350 points. 2nd place went to team 7, Joey Miller (79), Justin Ray (90), Cody G
ooden (60) and Grant Belk (87) with 316 points. 3rd place winners were team 2, Darren Lodge (75), Tim Cox (79), Sonny Bonner (74) and Blake Landrum (79) with 307 points. Las
tly, 4th place went to team 10, Eugene Smiley (90), Avery Vasily (57), Paul Darden (70) and Steve Hooks (88) with a total 305.
A special award went to the
highest shooter, Jeff Brewer with a high score of 98! The final award went to the “Dead-Ass Last” shooter, Larry Lambert with a score of 29! We appreciate your effort, Larry!
Thank you to the overall event sponsor, Lighting Associates.
There was so much fun and connection. This was the event to attend and blow off daily stresses with great compan
y. If you missed it, make sure to join us in 2023!
Do You Know The Difference Between Electrical Certification and Electrical Licensing?
By: Niel Dawson, Executive Director, IEC Atlanta, GA Chapters
Certification and licensing are two terms that are misunderstood and used interchangeably in error. Adding to the confusion, there are different types of certifications and licenses, and they vary by state. Even within state licensing boards, there are inconsistencies from one trade to another.
First, a certification is generally given to someone who meets a set of criteria that is established by an accrediting organization or industry. These can be both for profit and non-profit organizations or government agencies. A license is generally issued by a government entity, such as a state or jurisdiction. A driver’s license is a good example of a license that is issued by a government entity. If you are licensed in one state and go to another, you may need to get licensed in another state.
Many times, a certification leads to licensing, such as in the electrical industry. The IEC provides an electrical apprenticeship program that leads to certification as a journeyperson by the US Department of Labor. A graduate of the program can then take this certification and apply to become licensed as an electrician in any of the 50 states. However, not all states require licensing to become an electrician; in fact, only about 50% of the states require licensing for electricians – more confusion!
In Georgia for example, there is no licensing for an electrician, only an electrical contractor. And there is no master electrician’s license in Georgia, though many people refer to it. In the plumbing trades, there is a master plumber, along with a licensed plumber and plumbing contractor.
The best advice for anyone wanting to enter the trades is to seek out a professional association like the IEC of the trade you are wanting to pursue. You can also search for the professional licensing board in your state.
On October 28th, IEC Atlanta’s annual Fall Golf Tournament was a blast at the Heritage Golf Links in Tucker, GA. Golf Digest magazine proclaims it to be one of the “Best New Golf Courses in America!” It was such a great experience; many members will agree.
The course lay host to our 23 teams and almost attendees. It was the perfect opportunity for IEC contractors, partner members and guest to connect, and have a little fun competition. When IEC hosts a golf tournament, it is always a recipe for good times and winners!
Congratulations to the winning teams!
1st Place- Team Tower Sales, Inc. – John Gurniewicz, Andy Wendel, and Drew Wendel (52)
2nd Place- Team Southwire- Andy Smith, Josh Masters, Kirk Alexander, and Jason Crew (54)
3rd Place- Team Graybar-Spence Warren, Raylen Cowart, and Grant Myers (57)
4th Place- Team Lighting Associates- Chad Kahn, John Hand, Tyler Gilbert and Gary Samuelson (57)
Additional winners:
Longest Drive- Drew Wendel
Closest to the pin- Jasen Armstrong
Thanks to the organizations that support IEC events and help to make each one a special experience. A huge thanks goes out to Tournament Sponsors, Legrand and Putzel. Longest Drive sponsored by GEA Integral Solutions and Closest to the Pin sponsored by Graybar. Drinks were on Southwire as the Drink Ticket Sponsor. There were over 50 hole sponsors, and goodie bags and prize doners! See full list of all golf tournament sponsors here.
IEC is excited to bring the industry together and we look forward to seeing you at the Clay Shoot on November 11th for more networking! You can click here to register for the Clay Shoot.
Each year the IEC Atlanta Chapter hosts a wire-off contest during its Power Show and announces the winner as “Apprentice of the Year” during graduation. The Apprentice of the Year then goes off to compete at National Apprentice of the Year competition on behalf of our IEC chapter. This year’s winner is Christopher Sanning of Vinson- McDonald.
Christopher Sanning obtained the highest points during the wire-off and on his written exam and also wins a trip for 2 to the IEC National Convention in St. Louis with $500 in spending money thanks to IEC Platinum Partner Federated Insurance. Congratulations Christopher, we know you will make the Atlanta Chapter proud!
IEC also congratulates 2nd place competitor Daniel Garcia of Titan Electric Georgia, and 3rd place competitor Christopher Pace of Andrew Electric Company. If Christopher Sanning for any reason is unable to fulfill the tasks ahead, Daniel will be next in line to complete it.
Thank you to Milwaukee Tools for presenting the top the competitors with a drill set and tape measurers to the entire graduating class. IEC appreciates all the Apprentice of the Year Competitors that competed in the 2019 Apprentice of the Year competition. Additional competitors listed are;
• Crubozumo A. Bannah with Andrew Electric Company • Shane Flournoy with Gene Lynn Electric • Chase Todd Hawkins with Fusion Electric Services • George High with Excel Electrical Technologies, Antonio Huit with LMI Systems • Jason Morrison with Metropower • Ramiro Pratts-Tavares with D &L Electric • Oscar Reyes with Georgia Specialty Constructors • James Vines with Phillips Electrical Technologies • Nicholas Wright with Pat Murphy • Dustin Wyatt with LeMay Electric
Now on to St. Louis with our IEC National competitor Christopher Sanning!
IEC Atlanta Georgia Chapter is proud to present 68 new IEC graduates from its award winning program! On July 12th, IEC held its 49th graduation ceremony at the Horizons Events Center in Norcross, Georgia. This was the largest graduating classes from the Atlanta and Georgia Chapters, and the number of graduates continues to grow.
Over 400 guests were in attendance at the spectacular event as IEC Atlanta Board President, Bob Harmon of Harmon Electric welcomed the guests. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by three of the graduates, who are also veterans of the United States military. Thank you for your service Shane Flournoy, Carlos Ortiz and Dustin Wyatt! Live music was performed by keyboard/vocalist Penelope Williams. The dinner honoring the graduates was served, followed by keynote speaker, IEC National Board President Mr. Gary Golka of Golka Electric from Phoenix, AZ with an inspiring message designed specifically for the future of the electrical industry unveiled in the room that evening.
In addition to completing the class hours and required labs and on-the-job training, some of the graduates received awards for going above and beyond expectations. Congratulations to the following award winners;
4 Year Perfect Attendance: Neville R. Reid with Vinson McDonald Community Spirit Award: Chase Todd Hawkins with Fusion Electric Services Academic Achievement Award for the 4 Year Apprenticeship Program: Theodore Bodley and George Tripp Reynolds of Smith Gray Electric, Co, Aaron Joseph Hummer of M.C. Dean, Christopher Sanning of Vinson-McDonald, Cornelius Singleton of Titan Electric of Georgia and Daniel Walker of Alexander Electric Co. Professional Electrician Program Academic Achievement Award: Daniel Armas of Big Dawg Electric, Salvador Barrera of LMI Systems, Gaines Lamar Haynie of Fusion Electric Services, Jonathan Holton of Reinicke Athens, Rodney L. Hughes of Lin R. Rogers Electric, Richard Kyle Martin of Electrical Services Unlimited, Andrew Jackson Miller II of Penco and Jason Tullis of Riverside Electric South.
The apprentices did an amazing job and should be proud of themselves…IEC is!
Additional awards given included; The Michael Gunter Extra Mile Award, given to IEC instructor Brian K. Johnson of Gene Lynn Electric, who has stepped out to instruct at IEC’s newest location, the Rockdale Career Academy.
In addition the 4 Year perfect attendance winner, Neville Reid is also the recipient of a $250 grant from the IEC Gift program. The gift foundation offers grants and scholarships for books and tuition to IEC Atlanta and Georgia chapter students. This is the perfect program to support to help IEC apprentices with some of their financial needs during the program. You can find out more about GIFT here.
Finally we found out the winner of the 2019 Apprentice of the Year contest was Christopher Sanning of Vinson-McDonald. Tremendous job Christopher! The evening ended with the procession of graduates and presenting the Class of 2019 to friends and family in the audience.
Thank you to the overall event sponsor Harbin Insurance for a spectacular night! Thanks to table sponsors, Atlanta Electrical Distributors, JL Lighting, Legrand, Metropower, Milwaukee, Titan Electric Georgia and World Electric. Additional gifts and equipment grants were provided by; Federated Insurance, Milwaukee Tools, Ideal Industries, Schneider Electric, Eaton Corporation, Southwire and IEC GIFT.
IEC graduations are the highlight of the year. All of the hard work is celebrated and IEC graduates receive what they came for, the skills and knowledge to be an extraordinary electrician! Congratulations Class of 2019! IEC is happy to be a part of your journey.