About IEC Oregon

Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon is the sole voice of Oregon's merit-shop electrical contractor. With members of expertise in all aspects of the electrical construction industry, we are diverse and offer something for just about any firm engaged in electrical construction.

IEC Oregon was originally created as Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon Association (IECO) in 1978 by a group of several contractors who saw a need for a collective voice for open-shop electrical contractors and a mechanism for training the industry's future workers. Founding incorporators included John Beck, Burch Judson, William Engelman, R.G. Adams, Virgil Viner and Louis Allen.

The association saw great struggles in its early days as it battled to create an apprenticeship program for the industry. Their efforts were met with great resistance, however they ultimately prevailed. From there IECO grew, adding members and apprentices steadily throughout the 1980's. In those days the work of the association was divided among members.

In 1990 the IECO Board of Directors saw the need to add staff people to run the growing organization. In that year the association hired its first Executive Director, followed by more staff and new apprenticeship programs. Membership surpassed 100 contractors, and IECO became IEC Oregon to align its name more closely with the national association.

The 1990's also brought the organization a variety of new member benefits. New group discounts for insurance and education added value to members businesses. These included discounted health insurance programs, workers compensation insurance, and property and casualty insurance.

In March 2004, with 120 members, IEC Oregon hired its fourth Executive Director, John Killin. Today, membership has reached 165 and is still climbing. The association has added a variety of new programs including continuing education classes for journey level personnel, promotional advertising, safety and business management training, employment application service, shared worker program, and several committees to assist in running the association.

The future for IEC Oregon is very bright. In the coming years IEC Oregon plans to break 200 members and become a premier business association in the state. In the sidebar to the right are the 2006-2007 Board of Directors and staff of IEC Oregon.

Board of Directors

President
Wade Parkin
New Tech Electric

Vice President
Paul Ellis

Milestone Electric

Secretary/Treasurer

IEC National Board Member
David Daniels
All Things Electrical, Inc.

Immediate Past President

IEC National Awards Committee Chair

Emerson Smoker, Sr.

Rite Way Electric

Past President

IEC National Senior Vice President
Steve Wiege
Damascus Communications Inc.

Director
Sheila Lemons
Bear Electric

Director
Keith Steenslid
Bridgetown Electric

Director

Aaron Van Fleet

Triton Communications, LLC

Associate Director
Shawn Miller
Miller Public Affairs

Staff

Executive Director

John Killin
john@iecoregon.org

 Area II Apprenticeship Director

Sadie Pullen
sadie@iecoregon.org

Area I Limited Energy Apprenticeship Director

Eva Sizelove

eva@iecoregon.org

Accounting

Lydia Taylor
lydia@iecoregon.org

Committees
IEC Oregon uses a variety of committees to help in running the association in a way that best represents the needs of our members. Those who have strapped on the tools have great knowledge of the needs, challenges and demands of running their business. Through the committee structure IEC Oregon uses the collective knowledge of our members to plot a course that will ensure the success of those involved in the association. Below is a full list of IEC Oregon committees and a description of each.

Education and Training Committee
The Education and Training Committee's focus is on ensuring that education in the electrical industry does not stop after apprenticeship. The committee addresses opportunities where IEC Oregon can turn KNOWLEDGE into POWER for merit-shop contractors. The committee looks for continuing education classes and workshops IEC can sponsor to make sure member contractors are at the top of their game. The Membership Committee meets as often as needed.

Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee assists in identifying proactive efforts to use public policy to strengthen our industry. Members analyze the impacts of proposed government regulations on merit-shop electrical contractors and your bottom line. They assist in advocating for merit-shop philosophy to elected officials and regulators, evaluate candidates for support of IEC in their election efforts, and help solicit funds for distribution by IEC Oregon PAC. The Government Affairs Committee will meet quarterly in most cases, but meets monthly during legislative sessions (January-June in odd numbered years).

The Membership Committee
The Membership Committee helps identify opportunities for IEC Oregon to add value to its membership. It develops opportunities for the association to better serve our members by strengthening existing programs and adding new ones that can add value to member businesses. Identifying and help recruit potential new members that will strengthen the association and creating incentive and recognition programs for members who recruit and build IEC Oregon membership are also priorities. The Membership Committee meets quarterly (four times a year).