Nashville, TN, December 18, 2024 – The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is excited to announce that the highly anticipated 2024 Apprentice of the Year (AOY) Competition, originally set to take place during SPARK in Tampa, Florida in October 2024, has been rescheduled. The competition will take place from February 27 to March 2, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  

The AOY Competition is a cornerstone of IEC’s mission to develop and promote the electrical industry’s best talent. This rigorous competition brings together top apprentices from across the country, showcasing their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to excellence. The event not only highlights the skills of these remarkable individuals but also underscores the vital role electricians play in building and maintaining critical infrastructure.  

Despite the adjustment, IEC is more enthusiastic than ever to honor these exceptional apprentices. The event in Colorado Springs promises to deliver the same level of competition, camaraderie, and celebration as in past years, if not more. This year’s event consists of 26 competitors, representing chapters from across the nation. This year’s competitors are: 

• Isaac Ayala, CRI Electric, Inc., IEC Greater San Antonio 

• Jesse Bevins, GA Central Electric, Inc., IEC Atlanta 

• Gavin Bihner, JDP Electric, IEC Dakotas 

• Wesley Black, L&O Electric, CenTex IEC 

• Matthew Boyd, Safety Electric, IEC of Oregon 

• Sarah Clauson, Electrical Contractors, Inc., IEC New England 

• Charles Dahlstrom, D.J.’s Electric, Montana IEC 

• Collin Flischel, Denier Electric Co. Inc., IEC of Greater Cincinnati 

• Matthew Forry, DeRock Electric Company, IEC Pennsylvania 

• Isaiha Gallegos, Oscar Lara Electric, Northern New Mexico IEC 

• Matthew Grady, F.B. Harding, IEC Chesapeake 

• Emmet Hanick, AMPED Electrical Services, IEC Indy 

• Jesse Harrison, APG Electric, IEC Florida West Coast 

• Colin Hartley, Roehrenbeck Electric, IEC Central Ohio 

• Kalie Jones, Croft’s Electric, IEC of the Bluegrass 

• Daniel Krohn, Foster Electric, IEC Southern Colorado 

• Kaylan Lee, Echo Electrical Services, IEC Fort Worth 

• Aaron McMurray, Montgomery Electric Inc., IEC Rocky Mountain 

• Spencer Pellegrino, Newport Audio, Video & Electrical, Inc., IEC of Utah 

• Allen Reed, Enerco Electric, IEC of Greater St. Louis 

• Rafael Salinas, Sun City Electric Co., Inc., IEC El Paso 

• Jose Sanchez Jr., A&H Electric Co., IEC Texas Gulf Coast 

• Noah Steinman, Beehive Electric, IEC of Southern New Mexico 

• Dylan Tegman, Makyle Electric, IEC of Arizona 

• Pablo Torres, A&M Electric, IEC Northern Ohio 

• Max Zhang, Intex Electrical Contractors, IEC Dallas 

“Our apprentices represent the heart and future of the electrical industry,” said IEC National Executive Director Thayer Long. “Rescheduling allows us to deliver an even more impactful event that shines a spotlight on their incredible achievements and supports our mission of workforce development.”