Registration / Networking: 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:30 pm
Business Session: 1:15 pm
Event Concludes:  2:00 pm

Legislative Issues Focus:

The session will feature Industry updates, as well as presentations from NECA Government Affairs, the Illinois Mechanical and Subcontractor Association (IMSCA) and the ECA's City of Chicago / Cook County Lobbyist.

NECA Government Affairs Rep. (not pictured)

IMSCA - Jessica Newbold

Jessica Newbold Hoselton is the Executive Director for the Illinois Mechanical and Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA).  In this position, Jessica manages the day to day operations of IMSCA and serves as the association’s chief lobbyist.  Jessica represents the interests of the sub-contracting industry at the Illinois state capitol by monitoring and taking action on legislation that impacts the Illinois construction industry.  Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2002 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and her Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from Purdue University in 2004. 

Chicago / Cook County Lobbyist - Michael Alvarez

Michael Alvarez has enjoyed a fast-paced career closely associated with local, state, and federal government activities that serve the interests of the citizens and businesses of the State of Illinois. Alvarez and Associates is a full service firm that assists clients in navigating through the public and private sectors in the City of Chicago, Cook County, the State of Illinois and Washington. Prior to forming the firm, Alvarez was a Senior Advisor to Senator Barack Obama. In this capacity, Mr. Alvarez provided strategic and political counsel to the Senator and his staff and served as liaison to various constituency and ethnic groups. He also was responsible for communicating and negotiating with city, state, county, and federal elected officials on a variety of initiatives on behalf of constituents. Prior to his position with Senator Obama’s office, Mr. Alvarez served as the Deputy Director for Community Relations & Legislative Affairs for the Illinois Department of Employment Security in Chicago. He has also worked on a variety of prominent political campaigns in the City of Chicago, Cook County and at the Federal level.  Michael won the November 2nd, 2010 General Election and was the top vote getter in Cook County for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation of Greater Chicago. Michael served as a member of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s transition team focusing on Transportation and Infrastructure. Michael is currently a member of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation Board of Directors and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Alvarez has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s degree in Corporate and Managerial Communication, both from Northwestern University. Michael and his wife, Erin, along with their sons Luke, Patrick and Michael, live on Chicago’s North Side.

Jared Karbowsky - NECA Government Affairs Director

Jared Karbowsky is the Director of Government Affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). In his current role, he oversees the Federal Government legislative and regulatory department for NECA. He works on a wide array of legislative and regulatory issues for NECA such as energy, infrastructure and transportation, healthcare, pensions, workforce and labor, and procurement policies. He also oversees NECA’s $1.5 million PAC where it supports a wide array of members of congress. Before joining NECA in 2021, he worked on Capitol Hill for various Members of Congress for six years. Most recently, he worked for Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) as his legislative assistant working on various legislative issues such as the National Apprenticeship Act, American Rescue Plan, and GROW Act. Congressman Donald Norcross is the only IBEW electrician in Congress. He began his career working for the International Painters Union and Allied Trades (IUPAT).

A native of Maryland and Pittsburgh, Jared earned her bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). His family has deep knowledge in the union construction world with his father being a union member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and being a 3^rd generation union member. 

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