06/14/2024

ECA 52nd Annual Spring Conference (June 12 - 13, 2024)

Program was held at The American Club in Kohler, WI.

ECA 52nd Annual Spring Conference
The American Club - Kohler, WI
June 12 - 13, 2024

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its 52nd Annual Spring Conference on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – Thursday, June 13, 2024 at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin.  The conference had 86 registrants!  The American Club is one of the premier resort hotels in the country. It is the only AAA Five Diamond Resort in the Midwest.  The Conference kicked off with a golf outing (shotgun start) on the Blackwolf Run River Course.  Golfers were able to network after the round at a special reception.  Wednesday evening’s reception/dinner meeting at The American Club provided the latest information regarding Association and industry events.  

Highlights of this Membership Meeting included recognition of the NECA Excellence in Safety Award winners, as well as the NECA Zero Injury Award winners.

NECA Excellence in Safety Awardees:
Continental Electrical Construction Company
Hy-Power Electric Company
Kelso-Burnett Co.
Linear Electric, Inc.
Lyons Electric Company, Inc.
EMM Electric Inc. dba Moran Electrical Contracting
McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Phoenix Business Solutions, LLC
Prospect Electric Company

NECA Zero Injury Awardees:
Hy-Power Electric Company
Linear Electric, Inc.
EMM Electric Inc. dba Moran Electrical Contracting
McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
Phoenix Business Solutions, LLC
Prospect Electric Company

Also, the ECA would like to congratulate the following member firms who were acknowledged for their recent anniversaries with NECA:

AVI-SPL: 25 years
G&M Electrical Contractors Company: 50 years
Hardt Electric, Inc.: 50 years
Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Inc.: 25 years
Interstate Electronics Company: 25 years
MDI Electrical Construction, Inc.: 25 years
Red Hawk Security Systems LLC dba Red Hawk Fire & Security: 25 years

Representatives from G & M Electrical Contractors Company, Hardt Electric, Inc. and Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Inc. were on hand to receive their special plaques.  

There was also a surprise recognition for Mark Thomas, ECA Executive Vice President.  Mr. Thomas will be awarded the “Robert L. Higgins Association Executive Distinguished Service Award” at the upcoming NECA Convention in San Diego.  This national award was established in 1989 by the NECA Board of Governors.  The award is to be presented to the staff executive or chapter manager who has made the greatest contribution to the advancement of the association either in a specific year or over a period of time.  Congratulations, Mark!

The Thursday morning seminar featured a presentation from Mike Breslin called, “People First The Next Evolution of Construction in the Workplace.”   Mark Breslin is an author, speaker, CEO and influencer at the highest levels of business in North America. He has spent decades advising CEOs and senior leaders in business, government, labor and nonprofit arenas in both the U.S. and Canada. His presentation was designed for the construction industry and focuses on creating a culture that provides a competitive advantage for performance, commitment, and establishing your organization as a destination employer. It highlighted the essential changes required at both an individual and team level, while sharing best practices from top-performing companies across North America. The program addressed the challenges of changing generations, talent shortages, retention strategies, and leadership development. Every member of the organization, from the CEO to the field, plays a crucial role in this evolution, and it requires a shared vision of values, expectations, commitment, and performance.

We hope all of the attendees enjoyed the unique surroundings of The American Club!  Next year’s program will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025 – Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, WI.

Mark Thomas, ECA Executive Vice President is acknowledged for being the recipient of NECA's 2024 “Robert L. Higgins Association Executive Distinguished Service Award.”   He is to receive the award during the upcoming NECA Convention in San Diego.

Pictured are a number of golfers getting ready for the round on the River Course.

The scenic River Course.

More of the River Course...

Pictured from left to right are:
Tim Taylor, ECA Assistant Manager;
ECA Executive Committee members: Scott Block, Block Electric Company, Inc. and
Dave Chorley, Continental Electrical Construction Company

Pictured above is Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc.,
as he began the Membership meeting.

Pictured above is Kendra Dinkins, ECA Research and Education Committee Chair, Taylor Electric Company,
as she gave the Committee update.

Pictured above is Mallory Gurtz, ECA Young Professionals Committee Chair,
as she gave her Committee report.

Pictured is Gene Kent, IBEW - NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) Director.

Pictured is Elbert Walters, III, as he gave the LMCC update.

Pictured are the attendees.

Pictured from left to right are:
Peter Hardt, David Hardt, Hardt Electric, Inc. and
Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc.

Pictured is David Hardt, Hardt Electric, Inc.

Pictured from left to right are:
Thomas Scianna, Tom Rivi, G & M Electrical Contractors Company, and 
Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc.

Pictured is Thomas Scianna, G & M Electrical Contractors Company.

Pictured from left to right are:
Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc.,
Corrie Krula and Kevin Coakley, Hard Rock Concrete Cutters, Inc.

Pictured above is Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc., as he opened the seminar.

Pictured above is Mark Breslin, as he began his presentation.

Pictured from left to right are:
Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc., and Mark Breslin.