IEC Celebrates Its Largest Graduating Class

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

IEC hosted its 55^th Apprenticeship Graduation on June 21^st 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!