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 />
June/July 2006 www.aecnyc.com<br />
Inside<br />
this<br />
issue<br />
THE<br />
New Era Vets Receive Industry Support<br />
President Michael Castellano Spotlight on Robert J. White 35th Annual Scholarship Program<br />
Page 2<br />
Pages 4 & 5<br />
Photo by Richard Wishnie<br />
Representatives <strong>of</strong> the electrical industry presented a contribution <strong>of</strong> $62,000 to the New Era Veterans, Inc. on Saturday, July<br />
29, 2006. The organization based in the Bronx, houses mostly Vietnam veterans and other war veterans who require housing<br />
and support services.<br />
The electrical industry support will provide much needed replacement furniture for the 150 residents. Accepting the contribution<br />
were President John Laguna and CEO Dr. Ruth Schaeffer. Present at the festivities were <strong>AEC</strong> President Michael Castellano, <strong>AEC</strong><br />
Executive Secretary Richard Wishnie, JIB Chairman Dr. Jerry Finkel, Business Manager Thomas Van Arsdale, NYECA Executive<br />
Secretary Edwin Lopez, NYECA member John Villafane, and Business Representatives, Joseph McSpedon and Ray West.<br />
Pages 6 & 7
June/July 2006<br />
President’s Corner<br />
Michael J. Castellano<br />
has received an initial report<br />
from Dr. Perry Daneshgari, a consultant<br />
Theindustry<br />
to the Joint Industry Board <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Electrical</strong> Industry, regarding market size and share. It is the<br />
first step in our quest to recover lost market share and to<br />
determine a successful strategy for future marketing activities.<br />
The JIB Business Development Committee has approved the<br />
resources required to proceed with additional analysis and<br />
assistance from Dr. Daneshgari at its last meeting on July 25,<br />
2006.<br />
In addition to NECA efforts to increase market share and regain lost work opportunities, the IBEW has<br />
established a new web site devoted to IBEW pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism and productivity. The site is a continuation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the effort <strong>of</strong> IBEW President Ed Hill to change the attitudes <strong>of</strong> his members through his “State <strong>of</strong> Our<br />
Union” address that has been shown throughout the country by local unions and by NECA contractors to<br />
their employees.<br />
You can access the site at www.ibewhourpower.com. Employers can promote the site by printing flyers or<br />
handbills that can be distributed to your employees. When on the site, go to the “Promoting Hour Power”<br />
at the bottom <strong>of</strong> the home page to access the materials.<br />
A meeting was recently held with representatives <strong>of</strong> the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau <strong>of</strong> Fire<br />
Prevention. Attending the meeting were John Mannino, Sam Pace, Richard Sobel, Richard Wishnie, Edwin<br />
Lopez and Bruce DeShay. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the meeting was to review the operations <strong>of</strong> the Bureau and to<br />
discuss the difficulty that electrical contractors are experiencing with requests for inspections and related<br />
communications with the Fire Department.<br />
We have requested that a committee be approved by the Fire Department that would meet regularly to<br />
review problems and assist in finding solutions to ongoing issues.<br />
We learned <strong>of</strong> a serious shortage in personnel within the Bureau that makes it difficult for this pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
and dedicated staff to meet the demands being placed upon them.<br />
We have pledged to assist in getting more resources to the Fire Department to hire additional inspectors<br />
that will not only be cost efficient but help ensure the public’s safety.<br />
Michael J. Castellano<br />
President<br />
2
June/July 2006<br />
Apprentice Interviews Continue<br />
Interviewing 3233 applicants for acceptance into the JIB<br />
Apprentice Training Program is a task that has taken dedication<br />
and commitment by many industry volunteers.<br />
Each week, representatives <strong>of</strong> Local Union No. 3, IBEW, employer<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong> and NYECA, and JIB staff come together<br />
twice per week to interview 40 applicants per day.<br />
The sessions have been held since April <strong>of</strong> 2005 and are continuing<br />
throughout this summer. To date, more than 2,900 interviews<br />
have been held, with 400 still to be completed.<br />
While many <strong>of</strong> our <strong>AEC</strong> members have participated in the interview<br />
process, <strong>of</strong> particular note are the following members who<br />
have given an extraordinary amount <strong>of</strong> volunteer time to the<br />
process:<br />
The first classes <strong>of</strong> an educational forum funded by a $40,000 grant from the Building Trades Employers<br />
<strong>Association</strong> were held at the <strong>AEC</strong> headquarters in Long Island City.<br />
Two groups <strong>of</strong> participants successfully completed an 8-hour course held over a two-day period titled<br />
“Developing a Successful <strong>Electrical</strong> Contracting Team”. The course was developed by a committee made up<br />
<strong>of</strong> local NECA contractors along with NECA representatives Stuart Binstock, Executive Director <strong>of</strong> the NECA<br />
Management Education Institute and William H. Jones III, Field Representative.<br />
Mr. Binstock and Mr. Jones are the course instructors. The sessions are open to both field and <strong>of</strong>fice employees<br />
and emphasize team building, communications, and customer service.<br />
The next session is to be held on August 14 to 15th in the New York City NECA <strong>of</strong>fices. Additional classes<br />
will be held over the next few months to accommodate a total <strong>of</strong> up to 250 participants.<br />
Special thanks to: Steve Anzalone, Howard Braunstein, Andrew<br />
Drazic, Stephen Gianotti, Dan Hernandez, Raquel Nunez, Steven<br />
Smith, Dave Spindell and Robert White.<br />
NECA Classes Held at <strong>AEC</strong> Headquarters<br />
BTEA and Building and Construction<br />
Trade Council Agreements<br />
The Building Trades Employers’s <strong>Association</strong> and the<br />
Building and Construction Trades Council have tentatively<br />
agreed upon facets <strong>of</strong> a plan to recover lost market share in the<br />
New York City area. Although additional negotiations are necessary,<br />
major important components have been reduced to writing,<br />
paving the way towards a final agreement.<br />
Representatives from both organizations have met several<br />
times to help develop a draft that will be considered by their<br />
respective memberships. All participants in any final Market<br />
Recovery Plan will be required to be participants in the New<br />
York Plan.<br />
Steve Anzalone Andrew Drazic Stephen Gianotti Dan Hernandez<br />
Raquel Nunez Steven Smith Dave Spindell Bob White<br />
William H. Jones<br />
Upcoming Conventions<br />
The <strong>AEC</strong> Fall Convention will be held in Orlando,<br />
Florida from November 2-7, 2006.<br />
Reservations can be made by contacting Donna L. Falk <strong>of</strong><br />
Travel Concepts at 1-800-245-2330 or 1-732-222-1400.<br />
The 2006 Annual NECA Convention will be held from<br />
October 7-10, 2006, in Boston, Massachusetts. New<br />
York City members will be housed at the Marriott Hotel.<br />
Reservations can be made on line at the NECA Website at<br />
www.necaconvention.org.<br />
3
June/July 2006<br />
ELEMCO<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
ROBERT J. WHITE<br />
ROBERT OBERT White began his career<br />
with Elemco as a technician in<br />
1978. In 1985, his journey<br />
brought him to the leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
Elemco Testing and Elemco <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
Construction as President and CEO.<br />
Under agreement with Local Union No. 25,<br />
IBEW, the organization signed a collective<br />
bargaining agreement with Local Union No.<br />
3, IBEW, in 1995 and with Local Union No.<br />
1049, IBEW in 2000.<br />
Bob entered the electrical industry as an<br />
apprentice electrician in Local 25, IBEW, in<br />
1966. He became a skilled welder and<br />
splicer and also was a shop steward. As a<br />
Journeyman electrician he also took on additional<br />
responsibilities as a foreman.<br />
From 1995 through 1997, Bob served as<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the International <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
Testing <strong>Association</strong> (NETA) after serving on<br />
the organization’s Board <strong>of</strong> Directors beginning<br />
in 1990.<br />
NETA is an accredited standards developer<br />
for the American National Standards Institute<br />
(ANSI) and defines the standards by which<br />
electrical equipment is deemed safe and reliable.<br />
NETA Certified Technicians conduct the tests that ensure equipment meets the association's stringent<br />
specifications. NETA is also the leading source <strong>of</strong> specifications, procedures, testing, and requirements,<br />
not only for commissioning new equipment but for testing the reliability and performance <strong>of</strong> existing<br />
equipment.<br />
Elemco Testing and <strong>Electrical</strong> Construction has a long list <strong>of</strong> clients including the New York Times, the<br />
New York Post, H<strong>of</strong>stra University, Stonybrook University, the Empire State Building, Verizon, and the<br />
Nassau University Medical Center. Bob says, “Our business philosophy is to provide and distribute outstanding<br />
product and services in a manner that meets or exceeds the expectations <strong>of</strong> our customers and<br />
the industry, and that company integrity is foremost.”<br />
TESTING<br />
Cont’d on Page 5<br />
4
June/July 2006<br />
“Our business philosophy<br />
is to provide and distrib-<br />
ute outstanding product<br />
and ser vices in a manner<br />
that meets or exceeds the<br />
expectations <strong>of</strong> our cus-<br />
tomers and the industr y,<br />
and that company integrity<br />
is foremost.”<br />
<strong>AEC</strong> MEMBER<br />
Bob White is a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong><br />
and has served with distinction<br />
for the last several years as the Vice<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong> Scholarship and<br />
Educational Fund.<br />
The Scholarship Fund provides opportunities<br />
for deserving students that are<br />
entering the electrical industry to complete<br />
their college education.<br />
In addition to being a strong believer in<br />
education, Bob also has dedicated his<br />
time and resources to serving the less fortunate<br />
through numerous community<br />
service organizations.<br />
He is a Board Member <strong>of</strong> the Irish<br />
Repertory Theatre and a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Friendly Son’s <strong>of</strong> Saint Patrick, Hour<br />
Children, The Cleary School for the Deaf<br />
Golf Committee, the Irish American<br />
Building Society and The Davis Park<br />
Volunteer Fire Department on Fire<br />
Island.<br />
Married to Gladys(Gigi), Bob has two<br />
grown sons, James and Sean and a grandson,<br />
Harrison Rhys White and a stepdaughter,<br />
Delina.<br />
He graduated from North Babylon High<br />
School, received a LLA Degree from<br />
Cornell University and an <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
Construction Technology Degree from<br />
Suffolk County Community College.<br />
His personal interests include golf, skiing,<br />
boating, and travel.<br />
Bob’s Volunteer Work<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong><br />
5<br />
Vice President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>AEC</strong><br />
Scholarship and Educational Fund<br />
Board Member <strong>of</strong> the Irish<br />
Repertory Theatre<br />
Member <strong>of</strong> the Friendly Son’s <strong>of</strong><br />
Saint Patrick<br />
Board Member <strong>of</strong> Hour Children<br />
Board Member <strong>of</strong> the Cleary<br />
School for the Deaf<br />
The Irish American Building<br />
Society<br />
The Davis Park Volunteer Fire<br />
Department
June/July 2006<br />
35th Annual Scholarship Dinner<br />
35th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner was<br />
Theheld on June 21, 2006, at Terrace on the Park.<br />
The <strong>AEC</strong> <strong>Electrical</strong> Scholarship and Education Fund<br />
Corporation had another very successful program<br />
awarding $50,000 to deserving students entering pr<strong>of</strong>essions<br />
in the electrical industry.<br />
This year’s Honoree was<br />
Jerome. J. Rosenberg <strong>of</strong> JJ<br />
Rosenberg <strong>Electrical</strong><br />
<strong>Contractors</strong>, Inc. Mr. Rosenberg<br />
was honored for his dedication<br />
and commitment to the <strong>AEC</strong> and<br />
the <strong>Electrical</strong> Industry for over a<br />
50-year period.<br />
Mr. Leonard Taubenblatt, Esq.,<br />
<strong>AEC</strong> Counsel, presented the welcoming<br />
address and included his experienced advice<br />
and counsel to the award recipients.<br />
Scholarship recipients included Nicholas Powell who<br />
received the Steven Smith Award; Tamzid Nabi, the<br />
Joseph Barbaro Scholarship; Jefferson Lin, the Carol<br />
Kleinberg Scholarship; and Sergy Dinershteyn, the<br />
Herbert Tipperman Memorial Scholarship.<br />
Awards were presented for the 3rd Annual Apprentice<br />
Achievement Grants to Lina Belliard, 1st year; Jennifer<br />
Matteson, 2nd year; Joseph Crispino, Jr., 3rd year;<br />
Kimberly Marchant, 4th year and John Pusinelli, 5th<br />
year. The apprentice recognition was for high scholarship<br />
achievements and outstanding written essays.<br />
A Presidents Cup Award listing the apprentice award<br />
recipients was presented to Director George Schuck for<br />
prominent display at the Joint Industry Board.<br />
President Michael Castellano and Vice-president Robert<br />
White thanked the members <strong>of</strong> the Scholarship<br />
Committee for the excellent work they performed in<br />
developing a very well organized event.<br />
Michael Castellano Jerry Rosenberg Bob White<br />
Barbara and Jerry Rosenberg<br />
Amongst the guests attending the program were JIB Chairman Gerald Finkel, JIB Counsel Vito Mundo, JIB Apprentice<br />
Director George Schuck and Assistant Apprentice Director Timothy Calascibetta. Also attending were JIB Pension Director<br />
Salvatore Bruzzese, Local Union No. 3, IBEW Business Representative Robert Nichols and BTEA President & CEO Louis<br />
Coletti.<br />
6<br />
Cont’d on Page 7
June/July 2006<br />
Wednesday, June 21st, 2006<br />
Front Row-Seated from L to R: Frank Paolino, Walter D. Whitelaw, Carol Lifton, George Cecala, Leonard Taubenblatt, John Gruja and Michael Navarrete.<br />
Back Row from L to R: Steven Smith, George Schuck, Barry Teger, Nicholas Stefanou, Stephen Gianotti, Richard Wishnie, Michael Castellano, John<br />
Broxmeyer and Bob White.<br />
Apprentice Recipients: Front Row- L to R: Joseph Crispino Jr., Kimberly<br />
Marchant, Jennifer Matteson and Lina Belliard.<br />
Back Row- L to R: Michael Castellano, Georgian Mannino(Mother <strong>of</strong> John<br />
Pusinell), George Schuck and Tim Calascibetta.<br />
Award Recipients<br />
Scholarship Event<br />
Past Scholarship Recipients: Front Row- L to R: Nicholas Powell,<br />
Tamzid Nabi, Sergey Dinershteyn and Jefferson Lin.<br />
Back Row- L to R: Steven Smith, Beth Tipperman, Barry Katzen and Bob<br />
White.<br />
Steven Smith, Jason He and Bob White Jerry Rosenberg and Mahesh Deep S. Gianotti, M. Castellano, Herb Flaum, Phuc Dang, W. Whitelaw, B. Katzen, J. Rosenberg<br />
7
June/July 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 />
Tel: 718-752-0800<br />
Fax: 718-752-0805<br />
Website: www.aecnyc.com<br />
Email: rwishnie@aecnyc.com<br />
Email: debbie@aecnyc.com<br />
Email: alewis@aecnyc.com<br />
Photos by Miller Photography and 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/Published by Debbie Eschoe