Key Takeaways or Learning Objectives:
- Understand the current political climate in Washington as it relates to merit shop policies
- Know the value of IEC’s advocacy efforts
- Learn the value of attending Policy Conference
- Understand conference logistics and participation expectations
Speakers:
Jeremy Croft- IEC Senior Manager of Government Affairs
Ben Brubeck- IEC Lobbyist
Mahsa Poorak- CEO, Southern Electric Co
Speaker Bios:
Jeremy Croft:
Jeremy Croft is the Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), where he leads national advocacy efforts for merit shop electrical contractors. He joined IEC in September 2025 after a 15-year federal career across the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs. Most recently, he was Deputy Chief of Public Affairs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, overseeing a six-person team responsible for communications on flood risk management, lock and dam projects, hydropower, and recreation.
Croft previously held public affairs roles with USACE Sacramento District, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and Plumas National Forest, gaining experience in media relations, event planning, public meetings, and social media. He began his career as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, attained the rank of Captain (O3), and deployed to Japan, Australia, South Korea, Central America, and the Caribbean. He also earned certifications as a Civil Affairs Officer and Information Operations Officer.
Croft holds a B.A. in Political Science from Patrick Henry College and an M.S. in Public Administration from the University of the Pacific. A native of southern Arizona, he now lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ben Brubeck:
Ben Brubeck is Principal and CEO of Government Affairs Solutions, LLC, a multi-client lobbying firm providing tailored federal and state government affairs and consulting services to association and corporate clients. Ben has worked as IEC’s federal lobbyist since September 2025. He previously spent over 21 years at Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a 23,000-member trade association, where he most recently served as Vice President of Regulatory, Labor and State Affairs. In that role, he represented ABC before lawmakers, regulators, media, and industry stakeholders on issues including labor and employment, infrastructure, procurement, clean energy tax credits, CHIPS Act funding, safety, immigration, project labor agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and workforce development.
Earlier at ABC, Brubeck led labor, procurement, state affairs, grassroots, and business relations programs, serving as a key contact for 67 chapters nationwide. Prior to ABC, he was a James A. Finnegan Foundation Fellow at the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee. Brubeck holds a B.A. in Political Science from Gettysburg College.
A Virginia resident and Connecticut native, he serves on the board of Brubeck Living Legacy, a nonprofit honoring his grandfather, legendary pianist, composer, and statesman Dave Brubeck, by supporting young musicians and promoting jazz education.
Mahsa Poorak:
Mahsa Poorak is CEO and Owner of Southern Electric Company, a commercial electrical contractor located in Alpharetta, Georgia. In addition to her role at SEC, Mahsa is an advocate for workforce development in the construction industry. She serves on the Board of Directors at the Atlanta Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association. Mahsa chairs the Governmental Affairs Committee and serves on both the Apprenticeship and Training Committee and Continuing Education Committee. She also serves on the IEC National Government Affairs Committee. Mahsa is active politically and is working on advancing legislation aimed to help grow skilled trades workers and apprenticeship programs in the construction industry.