Greetings!
Welcome to the April 2013 edition of the Electrical Contractors' Association newsletter LiveWire.
This month's issue features information for the upcoming NECA NOW Conference, information regarding the most recent ECA Membership Meeting, IMSCA Lobby Day highlights, NECA Legislative Conference, among other areas. As always, please give us your feedback about the ECA LiveWire Newsletter and let us know what information would be helpful to you in future additions. We appreciate your comments. Best regards,
ECA Chicago |
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March Membership Meeting Highlights
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held their March Regular Membership Meeting at Gibsons Steakhouse in Rosemont, Illinois on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. The event was highlighted by a special member recognition and a visit from the incoming NECA Midwest Regional Director. Ms. Mary Sbarboro, Senate Electric Construction Company received the NECA 50 - Year Member Plaque. Congratulations, Mary and we hope you will have many more years of success! Mr. David Ward, NECA Midwest Field representative discussed NECA Labor Relations programming. Mr. Steve Krieg, NECA Midwest Field representative announced that he is to be the next NECA Midwest Regional Director in July 2013. He looked forward to working with our Chapter. To close the session, the winner of the $100 Member Raffle prize went to Mr. Thomas Rivi, G & M Electrical Contractors Company We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Itasca Country Club, Itasca, Illinois for the next Membership Meeting. Dr. Daniel Tomal, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Facilitator will be the guest speaker.
Pictured above from left to right are: Mary Sbarboro, Senate Electric Construction Company and Mark Nemshick, ECA Executive Vice President. Pictured from left to right are: David Ward, NECA Field Representative, David Witz, ECA President, Continental Electrical Construction Company and Steve Krieg, NECA Field Representative. |
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Chicagoland Construction Safety Council (CCSC) -- Soon to Relocate
The Chicagoland Construction Safety Council (CCSC) will soon be moving from its Hillside, Illinois location for operations in a newer, state of the art facility. The exact location has not yet been finalized. The Council is preparing itself to be ready and even more capable of serving the construction industry not only at a new location, but also with new classrooms, trainers, resources and more course offerings. Council employees are taking a fresh look at providing new ways to better service their customers.
The Council also upgraded its existing crane safety training materials to address the changes in the new Crane Standard that will go into effect in 2014. Over the past several months, the Construction Safety Council has also been building its cadre of outreach trainers, focusing on instructor development as well as maximizing best practices in adult learning techniques in its courses. New technology presently being developed will give employers easy online access to track safety training for employees and potential employees.
Established in 1989, the Construction Safety Council is an Illinois 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable organization specializing in the development and delivery of safety training to the construction industry. It is also part of the National Safety Education Center, one of only 28 OSHA authorized training centers in the country.
For more information about the CCSC, please contact:
Callie Caballero at marketing@buildsafe.org.
800-552-7744
Portions of this article were excerpted from a March 20, 2013 CCSC E-mail Industry Update.
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NECA NOW Leadership Conference
Incentive Approved - "Early-Bird" Rate Extended
As reported earlier, the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved the scholarship of the Member Registration Fee, including spouse, for the NECA NOW Leadership Conference to be made payable to the member upon completion of the conference. This scholarship is worth approximately $1374.00 per couple. We do hope that you will register for this unique event. NECA will honor the Early Bird rate for all registrations. Registration closes on April 5th. So, get ready for the next level of executive leadership engagement for NECA contractors. NECA NOW, a unique Executive Leadership Conference dedicated to your professional and personal growth, offers 30+ quality educational sessions and unlimited networking at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona, April 15-17. The focus will be on leadership development with presentations by top business experts, such as plenary speakers Marshall Goldsmith and the "Generations People" from Bridgeworks. Other sessions will cover a variety of current topics - including market development, risk management, financing, and time management - and help you achieve your goals with respect to field operations, economic viability, companies in transition, business development and more. Plus, there be plenty of fun social activities, including the Networking Reception, Golf Tournament, and the "Margarita Challenge," as well as exciting tours and attractions to behold. Click here for a copy of the full agenda. Investigate NECA NOW and register online. |
ECA Student Committee Update
The ECA Student Committee coordinates activities with the ECA and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in regard to informing the students of the many benefits of pursuing a career in electrical construction. The Committee is working with the current IIT IPRO and NECA IIT Student Chapter with various activities, including the following: -
The students have submitted their preliminary proposal for the 2013 National NECA Green Energy Competition. NECA Student Chapter teams are to conduct an energy audit of the Soldier Field Parking Garage / Museum Parking Garage. The students will also present their findings at the IIT IPRO Competition in April 2013. The NECA Competition final submittal is due in May 2013.
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The NECA IIT Student Chapter meeting held on March 14, 2013 at IIT featured two Schneider Electric Manufacturer's Representatives from Ronald Ray & Associates: Mr. David Waite, and Mr. Ronald Ray. Their presentation focused on energy efficiency regarding use of variable frequency drives.
Pictured above on the left side top of photo from left to right are:
Ronald Ray and David White, Ronald Ray & Associates as they
discussed a topic during their presentation to the IIT Students.
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ECA Spring Conference
As a reminder, the Electrical Contractors' Association 42nd Annual Spring Conference will be held on June 12 - 13, 2013 at the Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Grand Geneva Resort is set on 1,300 scenic, secluded acres featuring the full-service Grand Geneva Spa and Sport Center - THE WELL. In addition, the golf outing scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2013 will be held at the Geneva National Golf Club. Wednesday night's reception/dinner meeting will provide you with the latest information regarding industry events. This is a great opportunity to catch up with what's going on in this constantly changing industry. Plans are currently being made for an exciting and informative business session on Thursday morning. Please plan to attend the 2013 Electrical Contractors' Association 42nd Annual Spring Conference. Please contact the ECA at (708) 531-0022 with any registration questions. |
IMSCA Lobby Day
The Illinois Mechanical Specialty Contractors Association's (IMSCA's) 2013 Lobby Day was held on March 19th at the Statehouse Inn in Springfield. The Lobby Day activities included a special presentation on Illinois Pension Reform by State Representative Elaine Nekritz, a luncheon presentation by Senator Kirk Dillard and visits to the elected officials to discuss issues including the following: "SB 2393 / HB 3268 - Hours Worked vs. Wages Paid" legislation, "HB 1227 - Retainage in Interest Bearing Escrow Account," single vs. multiple prime bidding issues, among other areas. The event concluded with an open reception for all legislators. We do hope that you will be able to participate at the next IMSCA Lobby Day.  Pictured on the far left side of photo in the first row during the evening Reception is
James McGlynn, ECA Legislative Committee Chairman, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
with other IMSCA Lobby Day attendees.
Dan Rutherford, Illinois State Treasurer visited the event and is the middle of the photo (red tie).  Pictured above at the podium is Senator Kirk Dillard as he began his presentation.Pictured above is House Representative Elaine Nekritz during her presentation.
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NECA Legislative Conference
The NECA 2013 Legislative Conference and the Political Leadership Council Summit is scheduled for May 14 - 16, 2013. NECA's legislative priorities include policies aimed at permanent relief for multi-employer defined benefit pension plans, job creation, investments in energy efficiency and our nation's infrastructure to improve the economy and economic competitiveness. Register early as hotel space is limited and hotel registrations must be made by April 15th. As a reminder, the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a $1,000 scholarship for those ECA members in attendance; the scholarship is paid after the event. We do hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity and participate with this important legislative event. Please visit www.necanet.org/PortalTools/Meeting/Index.cfm to register. |
| Paddy's Day Luncheon 2013
The Annual Paddy's Day Luncheon Society Program was held on March 15, 2013 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Over 700 attendees were on hand to enjoy the festivities. This annual electrical industry event featured the Shannon Rovers, Award presentations, Irish Dancers, among other activities.
The "Francis P. Cummins" Award was given to Mr. Stefan Lopata, Kelso-Burnett Co. and this year's "Big Shillelagh" was Susie Cassidy, Communications Supply Corporation. City of Chicago Chief Electrical Inspector, Daniel Allen was also announced as the The "Big Shillelagh" for 2014. We hope that you will be able to participate with next year's Paddy's Day Lunch!  Pictured above from left to right are:
Stefan Lopata, Kelso-Burnett Co. and
Mark Nemshick, ECA Executive Vice President  Pictured above is Daniel Allen, City of Chicago Chief Electrical Inspector.  Pictured above is Susie Cassidy, Communications Supply Corporation. |
Apprentice Graduation Ceremony
The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) held its Apprentice Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois. Over 400 apprentices advanced to the journeyman level. The program was highlighted by presentations from representatives of the Chicagoland Electrical Construction Industry including Mr. David Witz, ECA President, Continental Electrical Construction Company and Mr. Terry Allen, Local Union #134, IBEW Business Manager. Each congratulated the graduates and discussed the importance of education and training within the industry, as well as the importance of continuing that education throughout a journeyman's career. The program also featured presentations for the "Outstanding Apprentices of the Year" which include the following: "A" ProgramFirst Year: Alvaro Vega Second Year: David King Fourth Year: John O'Connell Fifth Year: Kenneth Kucharski Graduate: Eric Williams "C" ProgramFirst Year: Guillermo Quiroz Second Year: David Olsson Graduate: Jeffrey Wozniak Andrea Hall Apprentice Excellence AwardMelissa Martin We applaud the graduates and wish them well in their new roles in the industry. We thank all those who coordinated and participated with the Graduation Ceremony. We also wish to thank the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trustees (EJATT) for their dedication to the industry.  Pictured above from left to right are:
John O'Connell, "Outstanding Apprentice of the Year" - 4th Year, Linear Electric, Inc. and Robert Fimbianti, EJATT Trustee, Linear Electric, Inc.
Pictured at the Ceremony in the back row on the far right is: David Witz, ECA President, Continental Electrical Construction Company among a number of graduates, their spouses, EJATT IBEW Associate Trustee(s). |
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January 2013
Industry Statistics
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| 2012 | 2013 |
Number of Contractors
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664
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639
| | Journeymen & Apprentices Employed | 9,197
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9,026
| | Monthly Hours Worked | 854,630
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840,128
| | Cumulative Hours Worked for Period | 854,630
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840,128
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April 10, 2013 ECA Regular Membership Meeting Itasca CC Itasca, IL April 15 - 17, 2013 NECA NOW Conference J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort Phoenix, Arizona April 19, 2013 CISCO Annual Luncheon Maggiano's Banquets Schaumburg, IL May 8, 2013 ECA Regular Membership Meeting The Clubhouse Restaurant Oak Brook, IL DATE CHANGE!!!
May 6 - 8, 2013 Basic Electrical Estimating Workshop The Lodge Oak Brook, IL Registration information to be forwarded, soon.May 9 - 10 Advanced Electrical Estimating Course The Lodge Oak Brook, IL Registration information to be forwarded, soon.May 14 - 16, 2013 NECA Legislative Conference Mandarin Oriental Hotel Washington, D.C. May 20 - 22, 2013 NECA Safety Professionals Conference Crowne Plaza Denver-International Airport - Denver, CO
June 12 - 13, 2013 ECA 42nd Annual Spring Conference Grand Geneva Resort Lake Geneva, Wisconsin NECA Convention and Trade Show October 12 - 15, 2013 Washington, D.C. |
We Need Your Comments
The Association urges all members to utilize the many resources that are available on-line at the ECA website. We hope that the information provided will help you better run your business, by helping you become aware of what's new in the marketplace not only in the Chicago area, but nationwide.
Available in the On-Line Resources section of the ECA Website is the Equipment & Material Member Exchange. Visit the "Member's Only" section and unlock all the features provided to ECA members.
The Events area of the site is constantly being updated. Please view the calendar for upcoming educational programming, as this dynamic is ever-changing. We hope that you will take advantage of the on-line surveys, polls, etc. Your participation will assist in the development of future programs offered by the Association.
Please let us know how we're doing and send your comments via e-mail. Visit the "Contact Us" portion of the website.
We look forward to your visit to: www.ecachicago.com.
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