AEC JOURNAL - Association of Electrical Contractors
AEC JOURNAL - Association of Electrical Contractors
AEC JOURNAL - Association of Electrical Contractors
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<strong>AEC</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong><br />
April/May 2006 www.aecnyc.com<br />
Inside<br />
this<br />
issue<br />
THE<br />
NECA General Membership Meeting<br />
For the first time, other than<br />
for a contract ratification<br />
meeting, the two associations<br />
that constitute the New York<br />
City Chapter <strong>of</strong> NECA met in joint<br />
session on May 3, 2006.<br />
The reports <strong>of</strong> committee chairs<br />
were followed by an address <strong>of</strong><br />
Local Union No. 3, IBEW<br />
Business Manager Thomas Van<br />
Arsdale and remarks by Assistant<br />
Business Manager Raymond<br />
Melville.<br />
More than 125 members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
two associations had the opportunity<br />
to share important industry<br />
information and the chance to get<br />
to better know one another.<br />
Chapter President Gina Addeo and<br />
Chapter Vice-President Michael<br />
Castellano, along with NECA<br />
Governor David Pinter also<br />
addressed the assemblage.<br />
President<br />
Michael Castellano<br />
Backrow, Left to Right: Richard Wishnie, Howard Hirsch. Front, Left to Right:<br />
David Pinter, Ray Melville, Gina Addeo, Thomas Van Arsdale, Michael Castellano<br />
and Edwin Lopez.<br />
Page 2<br />
Jerry Rosenberg<br />
UPCOMING EVENT<br />
The 35th Annual Scholarship will be held on<br />
Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at Terrace on<br />
the Park, in Flushing Meadow at 5 PM.<br />
This year’s special recognition for outstanding<br />
service to the industry will be presented to Jerome<br />
J. Rosenberg <strong>of</strong> J.J. Rosenberg <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
<strong>Contractors</strong>. Inc.<br />
Spotlight on Raquel Nunez<br />
Pages 4 & 5<br />
<strong>AEC</strong> Spring Seminar<br />
Page 7
April/May 2006<br />
President’s Corner<br />
Michael J. Castellano<br />
At the time <strong>of</strong> this writing, our Scholarship<br />
Committee is arduously preparing for the 35th<br />
Annual Scholarship Awards program.<br />
Awards will be presented to promising and deserving<br />
scholars who will be encouraged to pursue careers in<br />
the electrical industry.<br />
In addition, four Local Union No. 3, IBEW apprentices<br />
will be recognized with receipt <strong>of</strong> the second annual<br />
Cup Award for their scholarship and winning essay<br />
submissions.<br />
Special recognition will be given to Jerome J. Rosenberg for his decades’ long commitment to<br />
the <strong>AEC</strong> and the electrical industry. We are proud <strong>of</strong> Jerry and all he has given to strengthen the<br />
industry, particularly through his many years as Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Joint Apprentice Training<br />
Committee.<br />
We are indeed fortunate to be part <strong>of</strong> an industry that has continuously supported and encouraged<br />
educational opportunity and helped meet the social needs <strong>of</strong> those that are less fortunate.<br />
Through the Joint Industry Board Annual Scholarship Awards program or the outstanding contributions<br />
<strong>of</strong> Local Union No. 3, IBEW clubs, millions <strong>of</strong> dollars have been unselfishly contributed<br />
to the community’s non-pr<strong>of</strong>it agencies and to those in need.<br />
I know how proud I am to be part <strong>of</strong> the industry’s activities and grateful for the opportunity to<br />
play a small part in supporting its progress.<br />
I want to recognize the financial support <strong>of</strong> our members, their employees and the many friends<br />
who have contributed to our Scholarship Fund. The generosity displayed is heartwarming,<br />
despite the high unemployment and difficult period we have experienced in recent years.<br />
Thank you for helping to make the 35th Annual Scholarship Awards program another very successful<br />
event.<br />
Michael J. Castellano<br />
President<br />
2
April/May 2006<br />
Snapshots <strong>of</strong> NECA GM Meeting<br />
1 2 3<br />
4 5 6<br />
7 8 9<br />
1. Ron Berger, Executive Director - STA and Michael Castellano, President - <strong>AEC</strong><br />
2. Steve Lazzaro, Vice President - NECA<br />
3. Herb Flaum, Board Of Director - NECA<br />
4. David Samuels, Board Of Director - NECA<br />
5. Edwin Lopez, Executive Secretary - NECA and Raymond Melville, Assistant Business Manager - Local 3, IBEW<br />
6. David Pinter, Governor - NECA<br />
7. Howard Hirsch, Past President - NECA<br />
8. Thomas Van Arsdale, Business Manager - Local 3, IBEW<br />
9. John Pinto, 1st Vice President - <strong>AEC</strong><br />
3
April/May 2006<br />
Nunez Electric, Inc.<br />
SPOTLIG HT<br />
RAQQUEL NUNEZ<br />
Nunez Electric is recognized<br />
throughout New York City for<br />
quality, commitment and outstanding<br />
dedication. It is a New York<br />
City and State Certified minority firm located<br />
in LIC, Queens. The company has been in<br />
business twenty years. Raquel Nunez is a<br />
second generation entrepreneur responsible<br />
for overall management, sales, estimating,<br />
and customer relations. Under her dynamic<br />
leadership the firm has been experiencing a<br />
35% annual growth.<br />
This quality oriented family business was<br />
established by Raquel’s father, Jose Nunez.<br />
His dream from early childhood was to be an<br />
electrician. After realizing his dream, Jose<br />
Nunez worked as a Local Union No. 3, IBEW<br />
‘A’rated Foreman working for over twenty<br />
years at Courtlite Electric, and Forest Electric.<br />
In 1987 he decided to open his own electrical<br />
contracting firm and later, in 1994, the firm<br />
joined Local Union No. 3, IBEW signing a collective bargaining agreement with six electricians.<br />
In 1999, due to health reasons, Jose asked his daughter, Raquel, to come into the business. He<br />
recognized the energy, value and dynamic leadership she could bring to the company. Raquel<br />
began to learn the basics <strong>of</strong> the electrical contracting business, taking advantage <strong>of</strong> as many<br />
technical courses she could attend and spending many hours in the field as well as in the <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
to acquire as much knowledge as possible.<br />
Raquel says, “At the age <strong>of</strong> nine, I was typing change orders for Howard Hirsch from Forest<br />
Electric and my first paycheck was $ 25.00. I also remember Saturday mornings at Liberty<br />
<strong>Electrical</strong> Supply buying material with my father while I waited at the counter eating jelly<br />
doughnuts with the owner Harvey Ball. It shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone that electrical<br />
contracting is my passion!”<br />
“Raquel says, “no matter how hard it gets, your integrity must outshine<br />
the hardship. ”<br />
4<br />
Cont’d on Page 5
April/May 2006<br />
Following in the foot steps <strong>of</strong> her father,<br />
Raquel perpetuates the values she learned<br />
from him integrating the business principles<br />
<strong>of</strong> “upholding high standards <strong>of</strong> workmanship,<br />
quality and integrity”. Raquel says, “no matter<br />
how hard it gets, your integrity must outshine the<br />
hardship. The harder it gets, the stronger you must<br />
become. This business is all about reputation….<br />
always fulfill your debts and obligations.” This is<br />
the honorable legacy <strong>of</strong> the Nunez family.<br />
Another business principle Raquel recognizes is that<br />
relationships are key for the survival <strong>of</strong> any business.<br />
Nunez Electric has been a subcontractor to Five Star<br />
Electric, developing a relationship with Five Star that<br />
has strengthened and helped their business grow. “I<br />
am more grateful than words can express to Five Star<br />
Electric,” Raquel said, and she gives special thanks<br />
to Malkiat Gosal for initially bringing them into the<br />
fold. Raquel adds, “Gary Segal has touched many<br />
lives with his kindness, including ours.”<br />
To date, Nunez Electric has successfully completed a<br />
total <strong>of</strong> one hundred projects for the New York City<br />
School Construction Authority. According to <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
at the SCA, “Nunez Electric has demonstrated<br />
the ability to complete projects safely, timely and<br />
within budget. The firm has a stellar track record <strong>of</strong><br />
achievement at the SCA and we are proud to be associated<br />
with such a quality oriented firm.”<br />
Nunez Electric is a preferred contractor for several<br />
important clients including CBS Broadcasting<br />
(Channel 2), Bloomberg and the New York Mets, as<br />
well as special projects in the Mayor's Office <strong>of</strong> Film<br />
and Development.<br />
<strong>AEC</strong> MEMBER<br />
Other work includes various public agencies such as<br />
NY/ NJ Port Authority, Con Edison, the NYC<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Design and Construction, the<br />
Metropolitan Transit Authority, and the Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Environmental Protection.<br />
Raquel is a Director <strong>of</strong> the Subcontractors’ Trade<br />
<strong>Association</strong> and <strong>Association</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
<strong>Contractors</strong>. She serves as co-chair <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong>’s<br />
WBE-MBE Committee and was recently appointed<br />
as a member <strong>of</strong> the Executive Committee <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Electrical</strong> Employers Self Insurance Safety Plan.<br />
In addition, Raquel is Vice President <strong>of</strong> the Women<br />
Builders’ Council and is very active in promoting the<br />
growth <strong>of</strong> women owned businesses by helping them<br />
break through what she perceives as the “concrete<br />
barrier”.<br />
Raquel holds a BS in Accounting, and a BA in<br />
Finance and Business Administration from H<strong>of</strong>stra<br />
University. She also holds a degree in electrical<br />
design from New York University.<br />
Raquel is the proud mother <strong>of</strong> an 18 year old daughter,<br />
Monica. When she has time from her busy<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional schedule, Raquel enjoys biking, horse<br />
back riding and eclectic music. She is currently<br />
involved with charitable organizations such as<br />
Angel’s Gate, helping the elderly and those who are<br />
not strong enough to help themselves.<br />
We are proud to have Raquel Nunez and Nunez<br />
Electric as active members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong>.<br />
5
April/May 2006<br />
Spring Convention and Seminar<br />
drive from the New York City region to<br />
Cambridge, Maryland was certainly a good invest-<br />
Thelong<br />
ment that paid many dividends for our members,<br />
their families and special guests. The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay<br />
Golf Resort and Spa was a spectacular setting for the <strong>AEC</strong> sponsored<br />
event.<br />
The convention committee members Steve Gianotti, Lisa Ranello and<br />
Steven Smith received many accolades for planning a well coordinated<br />
event for young and old. Carol Anelli provided her expertise with special<br />
gifts for all the attendees that attracted attention throughout the convention<br />
center.<br />
President Michael Castellano welcomed special guests Edwin Lopez,<br />
Executive Secretary <strong>of</strong> the New York <strong>Electrical</strong> <strong>Contractors</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>, Michael Bennett, NECA Albany Lobbyist, John Marich,<br />
Chairman <strong>of</strong> the New York State <strong>Association</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Electrical</strong> <strong>Contractors</strong><br />
and Lee Schrager, retired Executive Secretary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong>.<br />
General Counsel <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong>, Leonard Taubenblatt updated the assembly<br />
on important contract law issues that impact on daily business activities.<br />
He discussed recent case law and answered questions. Mr.<br />
Marich reported on issues and activities <strong>of</strong> the state association and Mr.<br />
Bennett reviewed key legislative issues that are under discussion by the<br />
New York State Legislature. President Castellano led a lively discussion<br />
on industry issues and concerns.<br />
Sal Anelli and David Harron organized golf and fishing tournaments<br />
and presented prizes to the sportsmen. Donna Falk <strong>of</strong> Travel Concepts<br />
was our delightful travel coordinator and Bingo extraordinaire.<br />
Of particular joy was the participation <strong>of</strong> so many children <strong>of</strong> all ages<br />
who were able to enjoy a clown, magician, receive gifts and participate<br />
in many activities over the weekend. Seven–year old Lauren Gold<br />
summed it all up, “Smores night was one <strong>of</strong> the best nights <strong>of</strong> my whole<br />
life.”<br />
<strong>Association</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Electrical</strong> <strong>Contractors</strong>, Inc.<br />
Michael Castellano<br />
Sal Anelli<br />
John Marich<br />
Michael Bennett<br />
6
April/May 2006<br />
in Chesapeake, Maryland<br />
Lisa Ranello Lorraine Lifton Stephen Gianotti Leonard Taubenblatt John Mannino Dan Hernandez<br />
Mr. & Mrs. John Pinto Timothy Gold and family enjoy the festivities<br />
Ivan Drazic Werner Wex<br />
John Pinto Andrew Drazic David Harron<br />
7
April/May 2006<br />
Richard G. Wishnie<br />
<strong>Association</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Electrical</strong> <strong>Contractors</strong>, Inc<br />
11-51 47th Avenue, PO Box 1707<br />
Long Island City, NY 11101<br />
718-752-0800<br />
718-752-0805<br />
www.aecnyc.com<br />
rwishnie@aecnyc.com<br />
debbie@aecnyc.com<br />
alewis@aecnyc.com<br />
Photos by Richard Wishnie<br />
OFFICERS DIRECTORS OBSERVERS<br />
Michael J. Castellano Robert Amabile Andrew Drazic<br />
PRESIDENT Joseph Barbaro Ira Grunther<br />
George Cecala Raquel Nunez<br />
Salvatore Anelli David Harron Fred Zambon<br />
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Dan Hernandez<br />
Barry Katzen* HONORARY<br />
John Pinto Carol Kleinberg Mattia DeAngelo<br />
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT John Mannino Herbert Flaum*<br />
Monet Milad Frank Heske<br />
Stephen Gianotti Richard Millwater Walter D. Whitelaw*<br />
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT J.J. Rosenberg*<br />
Albert J. Samilenko* GENERAL COUNSEL<br />
Steven Smith Gary Segal Leonard Taubenblatt<br />
RECORDING SECRETARY David Spindell<br />
Nicholas J. Stefanou Executive Secretary<br />
Lisa Ranello<br />
FINANCIAL SECRETARY/TREASURER<br />
Robert J. White Richard G. Wishnie<br />
STAFF<br />
Rudy Weissberg *Denotes Past Presidents Debbie Eschoe<br />
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Adrian Lewis<br />
8<br />
Designed by Debbie Eschoe