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“From the President’s Desk,” Electrical Contractor magazine, October 2011

Looking Back ... And Moving Forward
The end of my term as NECA’s president is fast approaching. It’s going to take a couple of months to say good-bye.
One message I’d like to part with is the same one I started with: I feel tremendously blessed and very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve an organization and industry I believe in and respect.
All outgoing officers like to reflect on their time in office as a time of stability and strength for the organization they’ve been chosen to represent. However, that wasn’t the circumstances I came into office with. Instead, we’ve endured an economic recession and painfully slow recovery. Just as the entire construction industry has felt the full force of this ailing economy, so has NECA and every other entity that serves the industry.
But, I believe that adversity is just another word for opportunity and that wisdom comes from learning how to reallocate resources, make tough decisions, and move out of the comfort zone. Sometimes, it comes down to a case of “adapt or die.” It is very satisfying that so many electrical contractors have taken this challenge to heart and are busy adapting to both the changing structure of our national economy and our industry.
NECA, too, has had to choose its battles wisely and concentrate its efforts as an organization on the areas where the most change for the better can be achieved. I’d like to think I had some influence on the choices made, because I am extremely proud of my association choosing to go all out to identify and develop new market opportunities for electrical contractors during this time of financial turmoil and forced frugality.
In particular, I’m thinking of how far we’ve come since I assembled the NECA Energy Solutions Task Force in 2009. Its purpose is to address specific market opportunities in sustainable, green construction, energy efficiency, and renewable and alternative energy sources.
NECA has been highly involved in the electric vehicle infrastructure market since June 2010. In their glee to announce the roll-out of the new EVs, it seems the automakers initially failed to recognize that electrical contractors MUST be a critical link in the supply chain. NECA set them straight by becoming engaged in the development of installation standards for EV charging systems and interacting with a broad coalition of EV market stakeholders. And, working through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), NECA is ensuring that there are electric industry professionals in every state who are trained and certified in installing and maintaining electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
Through these activities, our association has become a respected resource for the EV industry. The EV manufacturers and dealers now know they can count on their customers having access to the services they need to keep their vehicles running — and in demand. So, not only has NECA developed a new market for electrical contracting services; our association’s enthusiastic response to the needs of the auto and EVSE manufacturers has enabled NECA to assume a leadership position in the sector.
I am also extremely pleased to have presided when NECA reconfirmed its leadership as the electrical contracting industry’s chief advocate for safety by adopting a national standing policy that makes it clear that implementing safe work practices is NOT optional but is a responsibility that must be share by employers, employees, and customers. It stresses that to achieve zero injuries in the workplace, contractors must strive for zero-energy work environments as the normal and best practice, whenever achievable, in accordance with NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
In fact, September 12, 2009, when NECA’s Board of Governors voted in that policy, was one of my proudest days in this office — because I take it personally. You see, striving for zero injuries is engrained in my mind because it’s part of my companies’ corporate culture. Because we care about our employees and our customers and their families, jobsite safety is always our No. 1 priority. I hope it’s yours, too.
Well, these are just two examples of recent progress that convince me that NECA and the electrical contracting industry are moving in the right direction. Another is the election of Dennis Quebe, the chairman of Chapel Electric in Dayton, Ohio, as NECA’s next president. Dennis is both a good friend and colleague, and I’m enthusiastic about the leadership he will bring to the association and our industry.
Of course, there’s much more to relate about progress and challenges — and the many, many opportunities that lie ahead. I’ll address some of these in my next, and last, column.
Rex Ferry,
NECA President
CEO, Owner of VEC Inc

VEC begins training workforce with SafeLand and SafeGulf

At VEC, safety on a job site is more than a concern, it’s a mission. That’s why it is important for us to stay up to date with training requirements within our industry. We are proud to report we have begun training our workforce with SafeLand and SafeGulf.
We care about the workers and their families, so we take safety very serious.
SafeLand and SafeGulf Description
The PEC Basic Orientation safety awareness course includes both SafeGulf and SafeLand. PEC Basic was designed to take the place of multiple Operator orientations and to give each student a general idea of life and safety issues in the oil and gas industry, upstream, downstream, onshore or offshore.
VEC has an in-house trainer, Bob Foust, Safety Manager, on-staff to provide the most current training to our employees for this program. VEC has had 25 field and management staff obtain this certification and will be training additional staff in an on-going effort. Bob Foust also can train client and sub-contractor personnel to meet the PEC Basic and the more extensive PEC Core training.
SafeLand and SafeGulf Basic Course Objectives
• To prepare the student to know what types of additional training they will need in order to work for the various operators at both onshore and offshore facilities.
• To create a mind set in each student that will help them to play an active role in the safety program at their work facility.
• To explain to each student the value of asking questions when they do not understand a certain aspect of their job.
• To ensure that each employee that has completed this program has an identification card indicating that they have completed the course.
This 8-10 hour one-day program meets API RP 75 & API RP T-1 requirements and provides a basic understanding at an awareness level of certain general safety information that an employee should know before entering a company facility and while performing their assigned work duties. Over 25 of the leading oil and gas operators, such as Annadarko, BP, Marathon, ExxonMobil and others, accept this orientation as it meets their requirements. Upon successful completion of course, each student is issued a picture ID with a unique barcode. The student information is then stored in an online database. This orientation has become the standard program for the industry and certifies a student at awareness level for the following:
• SafeGulf Certification
• SafeLand Certification (New)
• Confined Space
• Rigging
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
• Lockout/Tag-out
• Fall Protection
• Hazmat (HM 126)
• Hazardous communications
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Hearing Conservation
• Emergency Response
• Process Safety Management
• Welding Safety
• Defensive Driving
• Hazwoper (Oper.)
• Fire Protection
• Medical Records
• Forklift Safety
• Respiratory Protection
• Electrical Safety
• Terrorism Response Awareness Program (TRAP)
• Back Safety
• Alcohol and substance abuse awareness
• Offshore Transportation (Departure, Helicopter, Boat, Arrival, etc.)
• Offshore Safety (Swing Ropes / Personnel Baskets, Water Safety, etc.)

“From the President’s Desk,” Electrical Contractor magazine, September 2011

It All Starts with Energy Management
Although insightful Pre-Convention Workshops begin Friday, October 21, the major kick-off for NECA 2011 San Diego is the first-of-its-kind program scheduled for the next day — the NECA Energy Forum. The information about it at www.necaconvention.org opens with this irrefutable statement: “Virtually every new building and energy technology increases demand for electrical contracting expertise, while challenging electrical contractors to develop their knowledge and skills.” Can’t argue with that.
Nor can you argue with the notion that the Energy Forum is a symbolically fitting start for a multi-day learning adventure focused on developing knowledge and skills among professionals who can rightly be called “energy managers.”
Installing power distribution systems and lighting fixtures is, of course, still the mainstay for most electrical contractors. In fact, 94 percent of the respondents to this magazine’s most recent “Profile of the Electrical Contractor” said they are doing traditional power and lighting work. But, they are filling in the gaps left by the drop in traditional work with systems integration to make buildings perform better and more efficiently than ever before, power quality work, sustainable building projects and service/maintenance contracts.
In general, those contractors who have not only survived but actually thrived through the economic downturn have made serious efforts to diversify the type of work they perform. In tough times, you have to take a step back and think about what your company's goals are, to review everything you were taking for granted and maybe make some changes you wouldn't have considered before. That can be a good thing!
But, don’t think that, when the economy bounces back, the electrical contracting business will retract to doing only what was considered traditional work a few years ago. Performing non-traditional services involving energy management, in one way or another, is the new “normal.” An improved economy will bring more opportunities for us to provide energy solutions to our customers — all the more reason for contractors to develop their knowledge and skills as energy managers now.
The truth is, the construction economy IS starting to improve in some areas, though the recovery is uneven. Wherever electrical construction is making gains is where we see an emphasis on energy management. A case in point is the line construction industry, which is beginning to experience a major turnaround.
This summer has seen a 19% increase in heavy construction led by the start of several large electric utility projects, according to the economists at McGraw-Hill. And, we can expect power projects to increase dramatically in 2012 and beyond, now that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has just adopted new rules to remove barriers that have stymied construction of new multi-state transmission lines and renewable-energy projects feeding the grid. FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff says about 60% of the new U.S. generating capacity put in place by 2019 will consist of wind and solar projects, and many of these projects will need miles and miles of new transmission lines to succeed. (We’ll undoubtedly hear more about this dramatic development at NECA’s Energy Forum in San Diego, where Chairman Wellinghoff will deliver the keynote address.)
Building new infrastructure is a necessary first step to building the “Smart Grid,” which is intended to provide for the efficient delivery of reliable, economic, and sustainable electric power. A smarter grid will result in increased coordination between the outside and inside branches of our industry — and more work for both.
Opportunities in non-traditional service areas are coming from many other sources, as well. For example, as long as the need for faster transmission speeds and additional bandwidth to support all types of voice, data, and video applications continues (and the need shows no signs of abating any time soon), ECs can find work in installing, maintaining and upgrading all types of networks supported by low-voltage and fiber optic cabling.
As long as new building automation technologies keep appearing on the market (no letup there, either), we contractors can make a nice living installing, maintaining and upgrading systems for controlling building temperature; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment; lighting; life safety/fire; security ... and the list goes on. And, don’t forget, all those systems need to be integrated by knowledgeable electrical contractors for optimal performance.
Those are just a few examples of new and emerging markets for our services. My point is, electrical contractors need to keep learning in order to keep up with the introduction of new opportunities in our technology-driven industry. Learning all you can about energy management and how to deliver energy solutions to customers is a good place to start.
It never ends. It only changes.
Rex Ferry,
NECA President
CEO, Owner of VEC Inc

VEC TEAM ROCKS!
VEC Inc participated in the 2011 Community Cup, a community wide challenge that allows local companies and their employees to compete in physical events such as, volleyball, golf, tug-of-war, obstacle course, running, swimming, biking, basketball…and more.
The team at VEC Inc took the challenge for the first time this year and came in 4th place overall for our division, placing first and second in several events! We had a great time planning, practicing, socializing and competing with our local companies.
Community Cup 11

“From the President’s Desk,” Electrical Contractor magazine, August 2011

NECA Goes Into Overdrive To Help Steer EV Market
Earlier this summer, the newly formed Electric Vehicle Standards Panel (EVSP) of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) held its first face-to-face meeting of major EV stakeholders to initiate work on a strategic roadmap identifying the standards and conformity-assessment programs needed to enable the widespread acceptance and deployment of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure in the United States. The meeting was held, appropriately, in Detroit — Motor City, USA — and, of course, NECA was there.
ANSI is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States and also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards. ANSI formed the EVSP to offer an open forum focusing on such standardization issues as design, performance, safety, testing, certification and training related to the EV market.
EVSP efforts are intended to be complementary to other standardization activities in the U.S. and abroad, including those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP), Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and others. (As I previously reported, NECA is developing a Standard for Installing and Maintaining Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) through the ANSI approval process as part of our series of National Electrical Installation Standards® (NEIS).)
At the initial meeting of the EVPS, groups were formed to identify concerns and develop action plans. NECA was represented there by Mike Johnston, executive director, Standards & Safety, and Rob Colgan, executive director, Market Development. NECA is active on the panel’s Infrastructure Installation working group where Johnston and Colgan serve as principal and alternate representatives, respectively. Information identified by this working group is provided to NECA as the development of our EVSE standard progresses.
NECA is also active in the Electric Vehicles Industry Training Partnership (EVITP), a coalition of EV manufacturers, charging station developers and service providers formed to prepare a ready force of trained and certified electricians and electrical contractors familiar with the unique characteristics of EVSE technology. When EVITP Partner Advisors met in April for a Master Train-the-Trainer program for the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment, the first event of its kind for the EV industry, NECA was there, too.
And so were more than 50 participants — master electricians with at least five years field experience and a professional instruction background — from 25 markets around the U.S.
Upon successful completion of the rigorous three-day program, master instructors returned to their home markets to train additional EVITP Instructors and hold workforce-training courses.
In addition, Mike Johnston and Rob Colgan are now jointly leading NECA’s new EVSE Management Workshop, a program that offers essential information about the growing opportunities for electrical contractors in supporting EVSE installation services, as well as details about performing site assessments, coordination of electrical permits and inspection processes, and a review of the various types of EV supply equipment and required branch circuits.
NECA is also working on various initiatives with a wide variety of other stakeholders in the EV market — and with Congress. Right now, our association is closely monitoring two recently introduced bills that promote the deployment of plug-in electric drive vehicles (H.R. 1685 and S. 948), so we can jump into action when the time is right to push them to passage. This legislation could help create jobs and end America’s dependence on foreign oil by extending a tax credit related to EVSE, grants to selected communities to demonstrate widespread deployment of electric vehicles, and other measures to incentivize both deployment and domestic production of the needed vehicle components and charging infrastructure. The bill is also supported by a broad coalition of business leaders and national security experts.
And, even before any of this happened, NECA issued a position statement advocating for the creation of a safe and accessible charging infrastructure to promote and support expanded use of electric vehicles nationwide. Our statement also recognizes that the installation of electric vehicle supply equipment is indisputably electrical work that should be subject to the same workmanship and safety requirements as traditional electrical work.
The EV market offers tremendous opportunities for electrical contractors. NECA’s enthusiasm and commitment to this emerging market are demonstrated by our association’s involvement in developing a robust support system for electric vehicles. And we’re going into overdrive to help make this market grow.
If you want to grow along with it, now’s the time to invest in some research and training. Don’t let the opportunities pass you by!
Rex Ferry,
NECA President
CEO, Owner of VEC Inc

“From the President’s Desk,” Electrical Contractor magazine, July 2011

Zeroing In On Workplace Safety Is Everybody’s Job
Risk is a part of life, but it’s more immediate and apparent in some lives — including those spent in the construction industry. Every construction project starts with some uncertainties. Can we accomplish what we promised? Will we make a reasonable profit? What if something bad happens during the construction process, like a dispute that shuts down the project and leads to litigation? Even worse, what if someone gets hurt in an accident on the job?
As the owner of a contracting company, I create risk by getting projects for us to work on, which, in effect, exposes us to the all the potential worries I hinted at and then some. It is the job of our project managers, supervisors, and safety professionals to manage those risks inherent on every construction project so that the bad things don’t happen, we all get paid adequately, the customer is happy, and everyone goes home safe and sound at the end of the day. However, achieving the latter is actually everybody’s job —employers, employees, and customers, too.
Maintaining jobsite safety is such an important task because an accident that leaves someone injured or killed is the worse thing possible of all possible bad things that could happen on a project. First, obviously, there’s the toll in human suffering, and I believe we all have a duty to try to prevent others experiencing unnecessary pain and loss to the full extent of our capabilities.
But consider this also: There are few events that can disrupt a project faster than a jobsite accident, and, the monetary costs can be staggering. The National Safety Council estimates that the average total expense related to a non-fatal injury incurred on the job is well above $200,000. That figure includes an average of about $60,000 for direct costs (emergency room and doctor visits, medical bills, medicines, and rehabilitation), with indirect costs accounting for the bulk of it. Indirect costs include such things as administrative time dealing with the injury and medical care, increased insurance premiums, and hiring and training another person to replace the affected worker. The costs go up exponentially if a seriously incapacitating injury or fatality is involved, or if a lawsuit ensues.
And don’t forget all those harder-to-estimate costs — damage to your company’s reputation that can cost you current and potential customers, the trauma and loss of confidence suffered by the injured person’s co-workers, unwanted media attention, and other things you (probably) wouldn’t wish on your most irritating competitor.
All these points were brought out at the first annual NECA Safety Professionals Conference. However, the theme struck throughout NSPC 2011 is the importance of striving for a zero-energy work environment through a shared-responsibility approach to safety, as expressed in NECA’s standing national policy on “Safety Programs and Safe Workers. (The policy statement, as well as a recap of the conference, is provided on page 105.)
OSHA requires that electrical equipment not be worked on while energized unless the task to be performed is not feasible in a de-energized state (such as for testing or troubleshooting) or de-energizing would actually increase hazards. The how-to’s come from NFPA 70E, the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, which covers job planning and hazard analysis, de-energizing and lockout/tagout procedures, arc flash prevention, and personal protective equipment.
That is why I have repeatedly urged my fellow electrical contractors to develop a thorough understanding of NFPA 70E and make compliance part of your company’s culture and outreach to customers. There must be no lack of communication between the front office and the front lines on this issue.
A new edition of this standard has been approved for 2012, so now is the time to invest in some worker training on the changes. Believe me, when you empower your workforce to implement the best practices related to safety in the workplace, you’ve made a profitable investment in the long-term success of your company.
And don’t forget that “shared responsibility” for zero-energy workplaces applies to customers, too. It is important to educate owners about the risk and possible losses they face by not coordinating scheduled outages so work at their premises may be performed safely. If a customer absolutely refuses to abide by the common-sense requirements of NFPA 70E, that’s a customer you are better without.
No project payment can be high enough to justify cutting corners on safety. Lives, and livelihoods, are at stake.
Rex Ferry,
NECA President
CEO, Owner of VEC Inc

NECA 2010 Safety Awards
VEC was awarded two safety awards through NECA for the Safety Excellence Award District 2 and an award for Zero Injury 2010.
Congratulations to VECs Safety Director, Bob Foust, for an excellent job directing the company on safety training and awareness. Your hard work and dedication has been recognized, you and your position at VEC is appreciated!
Pictured are Chris and Jeff with Frank Piatt, a NECA Field Representative, Eastern Region.

Chris & Kris Jaskiewicz Conquer Tennessee Marathon
Summary by Kristin Jaskiewicz, Chris J.’s wife:
The course was brutal, beautiful, and very unforgiving. I have the scratches and bruises to prove it. If you lost focus for just a second you would end up in the dirt. It was full of hills, rocks and roots and at times would open up into the most amazing views. I finished with a time of 2:27 (thought I went way slower than that so I was pleasantly suprised!) which earned me 198th place out of nearly 400 entrants. But Chris is amazing...he finished in 3:56 (his other marathon he finished 4:17 so he took off 21 minutes!) which earned him 27th place out of nearly 200 entrants. Mind you, this was done in 90 degree heat (which we Northern Ohioers were NOT prepared for!!) and had leg cramps (dehydration) for the last 6 miles. Let's just say Chris was born for this mentally, physically and with his unyielding determination. Many people did not finish (dehydration, falls) and there were many medics on site and called into the course to aid the runners so this was serious stuff out there.
I think Chris and I have decided that this is for us...we love the challenge, the sweat and the pain that goes into the preperation for a race and we will hopefully be going back next year!

VEC Inc. Attains Safety Honors
The NECA Safety Excellence and Zero Injury Award Program attracts more participants every year as NECA contractors continue to raise the bar on safety performance. Safety-conscious contractors are justifiably proud of their achievements, and they know their winning status is a powerful marketing tool for gaining more customers.
Participants enter the competition by completing a short entry form that gathers data from their OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), along with information on the total number of man hours their companies worked in the past year. Entrants also supply the Experience Modification Rate (EMR) that their insurers apply to their Workers Compensation policies and some information about any OSHA citations received in 2010 and their company’s operations and best practices.
Based on this information, there are two types of awards presented through this program. One is the Zero-Injury Award recognizing those companies that worked through the entire year without experiencing any recordable incidents. NECA Safety Excellence Award winners are selected based on a comparison of safety data for their companies with pertinent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for similarly sized electrical contracting firms. All award recipients are well below the industry averages for lost-work incidents and total recordable incident rates.
Congratulations to all NECA Safety Award Winners!
VEC Inc. received the following awards in NECA Safety Excellence and Zero Injury Award Program:
DISTRICT 2:
SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
ZER0-INJURY AWARD WINNERS

LA NECA Chapter Dinner
Rex A. Ferry, CEO and Owner of VEC Inc is also the U.S. NECA President. Here Rex is addressing the LA NECA Chapter’s Officer installation dinner and swearing in the Officers of the LA Chapter.

American Heart Association 2011 Heart Ball
VEC Inc was a Diamond Sponsor at the black-tie preferred dinner and dance held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown OH. More than 300 guests, including many members of the local corporate and medical communities were in attendance at this grand event.
The evening honored Dr. Dominic A. Bitonte as the Heart Of The Community award recipient and Dr. Gary A. Young with the 2011 Cardiac Service Award. The evening offered a delightful sit-down dinner, silent and live auction, an Open Your Heart appeal for children’s cardiovascular research and entertainment by The Sensations.
The American Heart Association is the only voluntary health agency dedicated solely to the fight against the nation’s number one and three killers – cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our Heart Ball is the second largest fund raising event for the American Heart Association in the tri-county area. Proceeds from this event go towards lifesaving cardiovascular education and research in our community.
Rachel Barber, VEC Inc Accounts Receivable Manager, was the 2011 Heart Ball Event Chair. Rachel did an outstanding job coordinating this event while utilizing the help of Dr. Landgraff, this year’s Auction Chair, along with her truly dedicated committee and the assistance of Tricia Potesta, who were responsible for contributing the wonderful items presented.
A Special Thank You:
“Thank you to the American Heart Association staff, consisting of Charlotte Diss, Senior Director, Peg Whetstone and Allison Ottmann. These three ladies achieved the goals set by the American Heart Association through their intense dedication and positive attitudes. Without their guidance, this event would not be as large of a success as it turned out to be. Thank you!”
~Rachel Barber
Pictured from left to right: Jim Bobby (Fuel & Gas Division Manager), Anna Bobby, Brandon Davies (SI Network Engineer), Rachel Barber (Accts Receivable Manager & Heart Ball Event Chair), Jeff Barber (VP of Systems Integrator), Larry Mohn (Military Construction Division Manager), Sarra Solic (Director of Marketing & Business Development), Chris Jaskiewicz (COO and Vice President, VEC Inc), Kristin Jaskiewicz. Missing from picture, Melissa Davies.

Human Resources 2010 Mahoning Valley Growth Award
Our very own Tricia Ferry is being recognized for the Human Resources 2010 Mahoning Valley Growth Award hosted by the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. Tricia will be attending a banquet to accept this award for her efforts in developing and supporting various Human Resource efforts to make VEC Inc. such a great place to work.
To list a few:
• CBC Program
• Organizing Non-Profit events
• Employee of the Month Program
• Benefits and 401K
• Event Planner for company events
• Valley Ladies Roundtable Group
• Newsletters
• Open-Door approach
• Signed everyone up to receive a monthly copy to their homes the NECA Magazine “Electrical Contractor”
• Lunch and Learns
Let’s support and offer encouragement to our fellow team member, who makes strides everyday to improve the HR position and the company as a whole.
Check out our VEC FORCE page for descriptions of these developments
Check out the Award Program at:
http://www.regionalchamber.com/MemberResources/EventCalendar/2010%20Growth%20Awards.aspx

NECA Convention 2010 Boston
The NECA Boston Convention 2010 was a huge success experienced by all. From networking, workshop sessions, opening and closing motivational speakers, NECA put on another first class trade show convention. Future lunch and learns will be hosted by those VEC teammates who attended the convention to share their experiences with all at VEC.

Trumbull Career & Technical Center Visit
VEC Inc’s CEO, and NECA president Rex Ferry, visited the Trumbull Career & Technical Center to speak with the student about various topics.
Rex reviewed his 41 years in the industry and shared with the students all the different places and types of positions he has worked in.
Listed below are some of Rex’s talking points:
• Shared all of the diverse opportunities that exist in our Electrical Industry and career opportunities are endless.
• The future will be in “Energy Management” and less in the Electrical Contracting we know today.
• Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish a “Goal” you set for yourself…In America anything is possible.
• 3 tips to get ahead in the corporate world
o Be on time and dress for the occasion
o Be Honest
o Show you have an interest or passion in what the task is
• Say No to Drugs it will only ruin your career and life.
• Talked about the safety that is demanded in our industry. There are not many second chances dealing with High Voltage, especially.
• Reason for the National Electrical Code, which is our guide to perform to industry standards
• Reviewed the NECA web site page they dedicate to career opportunities in the industry.
• I signed everyone up to receive a monthly copy to their homes the NECA Magazine “Electrical Contractor”
The mission of the Trumbull Career & Technical Center is to enable our students to become productive members of society by providing for our students a comprehensive combination of academic and career-technical skills and experience in a safe, non-hostile diverse environment. This will prepare them to select from the widest possible range of post-secondary career and educational options that are commensurate with the students' aptitudes and interests.

City Scape 2010 Event
On Saturday, June 5th, VEC employees and families,(10 in all!), pitched in and helped with City Scape 2010. Our project for the day was to landscape the two flower beds outside of the Chase and PNC banks on the corner of Federal and Market St. Adam and his brother Mark, helped out with the weeding of the Market St. bridge.
We started off our morning by meeting up with each other for a great breakfast at the Golden Dawn in Liberty at 7am and from there we met downtown at the tents for our assignment. The event started at 8am and the rain held off and gave us a great morning for what we had to complete!
After our morning of volunteering, Larry and Sarra introduced us to a new adventure called geocaching. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. We found (3) within a few city blocks of each other in Youngstown.
Thank you Larry, Sarra, Adam, Mark, Rick, Diane, Heather, Kyle and Madison. We enjoyed ourselves through this team building opportunity and had a great time giving back to the community!

Rise Above It, St. Louis Marathon
Interviewee: Chris Jaskiewicz, COO
When did you start running?
I started running about 3 years ago but never serious. Once I purchased the Nike+ system, I started to log my runs, which is an important step when doing any kind of physical activity. The tracking of my workouts increased my excitement and drive.
Trail running?
I started trail running after meeting Pat Perry, Genesys. He explained the difference between running on pavement and running trails. I did some more research and found several benefits to trails over roads; easier on the knees, hips and back. In addition, it uses more muscle, which builds a stronger overall body.
Do you run alone or do you have running partners?
I have had several people run with me while training but I primarily run with my wife Kristin. Her dedication keeps me motivated…if I am out running, she is right there with me.
What about trail running is so special to you?
Every day we get involved with many stressful activities. Running on a beautiful outdoor trail brings a lot of peace to your inner self. I train mostly at Mill Creek park and Cook Forest. The views are amazing and you feel like you are part of nature. I have seen many different wildlife while running: Bear, porcupine, deer, pit bull, hawks, snakes, raccoons; just to name a few.
What’s your favorite songs on your iPod right now?
If you read my playlist you may think I was born in the 40’s or 50’s but I listen to crooners like Crosby, Sinatra, Dino, Peggy Lee, Julie London and of course Elvis.
Books on tape?
For really long runs I enjoy listening to books on tape. Recently I have listened to “7 Habits of Highly Effective people”, “How to win Friends and Influence People” and “Blink”. It is a great time to learn.
During your training, how often did you run?
I run (4) days a week at a minimum and range from 20 to 36 miles a week depending on what I am training for.
After running in a very different terrain than Youngstown Ohio, what did you discover about future training initiatives?
Running in the Ozarks in St Louis taught me several things. 1.) Youngstown is flat 2.) It does rain in other parts of the country as hard as it does in Youngstown 3.) You need to eat while running long races, a lesson I learned after nearly running out of energy with 4 miles remaining.
Who or what inspires you to run for cancer?
My father passed away from cancer in 2003. It was about that time that LIVESTRONG was starting to become well known with Lance’s recent battle with cancer and the yellow bands. It seemed that everyone I knew had been affected by cancer in some way. I decided that I would battle cancer before I would be diagnosed with the terrible disease. I became a vegetarian and started regular training. I love to talk about the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and physical fitness to anyone that wants to hear it.
Sum up your thoughts and discoveries about your experience in St. Louis.
It was without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. But I feel very blessed to be given the willpower and strength to run that race. It was the thoughts of the 30 people represented on my shirt who have fought cancer that gave me the strength to finish that race. I hope that my run will encourage at least one person to make a change in their life like I did.
Kristin wasn’t able to train or run in this marathon because she is pregnant with our second child, but she was amazing. She supported me through the entire training process and then flew with me to St. Louis to support me for the race. She kept encouraging me throughout the process that I would do great. It was knowing that she was at the finish line that helped me get through the last 6 miles. I could not have done it without her support.
Name of Cause?
Rise Above It (RAI). RAI is a branch of LIVESTRONG that focuses on young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. RAI provides financial assistance and clinical trials information to Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer patients.

Sprint Distance Triathlon, Boardman OH
Interviewee: Curt Bodamer, Chief Estimator
Triathlon Events
500M Swim - 14 ½ Mile Bike - 5K Run
This became a family event…Who participated?
Myself and my two daughters, Jessica and Emily.
Was this your first Triathlon?
First triathlon for all of three of us, but it most likely will not be the last.
What inspired or encouraged you to do this Triathlon?
A friend suggested that this seemed like an event for me and my daughters would enjoy doing together. I didn’t need to ask twice…the girls were immediately up for the challenge and excited to begin training.
Which is your strongest and weakest events?
Swimming was the worst for me, I was ready to quit after two laps. Emily crushed me, (along and most everyone else) in the swimming event with a 7:34. I have been running for years, so running was my strongest event.
Jessica and Emily are both great swimmers and runners, so the biking was the only new thing for them…and who doesn’t like riding bikes?!
What did you do to train for this event?
I ran almost every other day. I should have been in the water every day.
What’s your favorite songs on your ipod right now? Books on tape?
Too many songs to start that, but the Powersong on my iPod is “I Was A Kamikaze Pilot” by the Hoodoo Gurus. REM, Beth Orton, Glen Hansard and Ani DiFranco make for an easy run. As for books on tape, “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris is probably the only book on there right now.
Do your daughters have the same songs on theirs?
No, but they are slowly starting to discover that some music written before they were born might be worth a listen.

NECA Convention - 2009 Seattle, WA
VEC employees joined electrical contractors across the nation in sharing ideas, attending workshops and learning of the latest products in the industry during the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) convention in September.
VEC President and CEO Rex Ferry, shown below, became NECA President in January 2009. He spoke to the entire convention about the importance of partnerships and relationship building. The 3-day event, held in Seattle this year, also featured talks by retired Starbucks President Howard Behar and Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to conquer the "Seven Summits."

Buckley Air Force Base - Completed September - 2009
Evets Electric successfully completed the installation of the hydrant fueling system and all associated wiring at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.
The endeavor allowed Evets the opportunity to work with Reliable Contracting Group. Reliable Contracting President Steve J. Thornberry stated, "Thank you for being a part of our team on the Consolidated Fuels Facility project at Buckley Air Force Base. It was indeed a team success, and we look forward to working with you again in the future."

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