Approximately 50 attendees representing IEC contractor members and chapters nationwide participated in the 2026 IEC Policy Conference, May 4-6, in Washington, D.C.
“The IEC Policy Conference served as a vital platform for IEC members to advocate for the merit shop philosophy,” reports Jimmy Sharkey, general manager, Current Connections, Inc., West Palm Beach, FL. “We received briefings on recent regulatory changes and current political landscape — these briefings not only prepared the group to discuss our issues in effective ways with our representatives but also allowed us to see that things are not so doom and gloom throughout the nation. Often people get the feeling that the federal government is not getting things accomplished or is working on unimportant issues that are self-serving, but experiencing and taking part in events like the IEC Policy Conference shows that while the federal government moves slowly, it does move and it is looking to make impactful changes in our world.”
During educational sessions, attendees heard from administration officials, merit shop-friendly candidates, and policy experts on a range of legislative and regulatory developments affecting the construction industry. Discussions focused heavily on the growing demand for skilled labor, the importance of apprenticeship and workforce training programs, and the need for policies that encourage competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects and reduce needless permitting delays on infrastructure and energy projects.
Along with IEC Lobbyist Ben Brubeck and Senior Manager, Government Affairs Jeremy Croft, these speakers included:
Jacey Albaugh, Committee Staff, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Dan Chasen, Labor Policy Director for Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee
Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President, Global Energy Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Brendan Jaspers, Political Director, National Republican Senatorial Committee
Matthew Keenan, Federal Affairs Liaison, Americans for Prosperity
Dr. Henry Mack III, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
Brody Mullins, Investigative Reporter and Author
Jack Pandol, Deputy Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee
Matt Penner, Labor Policy Advisor for Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee
Eric Schmitz, Director of Coalitions, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA-4)
Kristen Swearingen, Vice President of Government Affairs, Associated Builders and Contractors
Chris Broadhurst, owner of R & A Enterprises of Western Colorado, Inc., believes attending the IEC Policy Conference is a good use of a business owner’s time.
“You hear in those three days great summaries of issues that you don’t necessarily have the chance to keep up with,” Chris says. “For the smaller independent contractor, it also is a way to have your concerns heard and to be able to compete.”
Chris thought the keynote speaker Brody Mullins was really good this year, especially his input on Political Action Committees and how they work in the electrical field.
“One thing he said about how you always will have issues where one side believes one thing and the other side believes another really hit home for me,” he remembers. “He said take 10 things, see what both sides like equally, and then work on those instead of focusing on where they differ. I thought it was pretty interesting how he stated that.”
This year’s conference was especially timely, taking place during National Skilled Trades Day, Small Business Week, Construction Safety Week, and National Teachers Day — highlighting the essential contributions of skilled trades professionals, educators, and small business owners in the IEC community building and powering America.
Contractors Make Their Case on Capitol Hill
A highlight for many attendees, participants conducted more than 70 meetings with congressional offices, advocating for policies that support fair and open competition, workforce development, tax relief, permitting reform, immigration, and construction safety. For many first-time attendees, the Capitol Hill visits were eye-opening.
“For a long time, I hesitated to get involved in politics, largely because I felt intimidated by my lack of knowledge,” explains Javier Herrara, project manager, Central Electric Ent. & Co., San Antonio, TX. “I believed that someone else would look out for my interests and the future of the construction industry. However, when everyone assumes someone else is handling it, our collective voice on the Hill grows quiet.”
Javier certainly dug in intensely as his Texas contingent met with staffers from the offices of five Texas legislators: Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Representatives Monica De La Cruz, Henry Cuellar, and Chip Roy.
“Attending the IEC Policy Conference showed me how much I’ve missed out on over the years,” Javier continues. “I held myself back from growing and learning by not being involved. I realized that while I may not be a ‘political expert,’ my passion for this industry and its people is exactly what legislators need to hear. Thanks to the guidance of the more experienced IEC members, I felt supported throughout the entire process. I left D.C. with the realization that the only way to improve our representation is to show up, and I hope that in a few years, I can be the one guiding new attendees through their first meetings on the Hill.”
IEC Past President Troy Corrigan, president of Corrigan Electric Co., Louisville, KY, is a Policy Conference veteran and always looks forward to helping make an impact during the conference. This year was especially meaningful.
“Attending the 2026 IEC Policy Conference reminded me of the difference we make — one person at a time,” Troy says. “Learning what could be coming out of Washington that could affect our businesses along with meeting staff from our congressional offices requires our attention even when we struggle to step away from our businesses. If we sit on the sidelines, we cannot be a part of the conversation to shape our industry’s future through the legislative process. We represent the vast majority of like-minded contractors and electricians across the country, whether they are IEC members or not, and we need to be fighting for all of them. The more we can do, the more change will happen and the more likelihood the contractors that are not members will become members of IEC. There is strength in numbers, and we can become that strength when we act.”
Troy, along with Corrigan Electric colleague James Mattingly and Scott Harden, Prysmian, were able to meet with staff members in the offices of Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul; Indiana Senator Todd Young; Kentucky Representatives Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie, and Morgan McGarvey; and Indiana Representative Erin Houchen.
R & A Enterprises of Western Colorado, Inc. owners Chris and Tami Broadhurst, and Annette Gauna, training manager for IEC Rocky Mountain, formed a team that visited five legislative offices from their state: Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper; and Representatives Diana DeGette, Jeff Hurd, and Joe Neguse. He felt all the staffers they met with were quite interested in what they had to say.
Jimmy says the Florida IEC group of his father Don Sharkey; Tim White, APG; and Bob Terry, IEC Florida East Coast had meaningful visits with Florida Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott and Representatives Anna Luna and Brian Mast.
Championing Apprenticeship and Opportunity
Throughout the conference, IEC leaders emphasized the organization’s continued commitment to expanding career opportunities in the electrical industry through apprenticeship and workforce development initiatives and partnerships. With demand for 80,000 net new electricians per year for the next decade, IEC members reinforced the importance of practical, employer-driven workforce development and apprenticeship models that help address workforce shortages while creating pathways to rewarding careers in the electrical trades and future entrepreneurship.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. Henry Mack, head of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, provided updates to attendees on the Trump administration’s recent education and apprenticeship policy reforms and funding opportunities.
Mack helped close out the conference with a fitting tribute to the recent National Apprenticeship Week (April 26-May 2), visiting with apprentices and graduates from M.R. Electricians of the IEC Chesapeake chapter, following an engaging Q&A session with attendees.
M.R. Electricians’ apprentices also gave Mack a hands-on demonstration in conduit bending, providing a memorable highlight to the event.
“IEC appreciates all participating members, chapter leaders, sponsors, IEC staff, speakers, and policymakers who contributed to a productive and successful week of advocacy in Washington,” IEC Executive Director Amy Biedenharn said. “The strong engagement throughout the conference reflects IEC’s continued leadership in advancing policies that support the merit shop electrical contracting industry and America’s skilled workforce.”
Making Connections, Making Change
As evidenced by a LinkedIn post by IEC Policy Conference speaker Dr. Henry Mack following the event, IEC’s strength and power came through. Mack is U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor and head of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
“With over 20,000 active apprentices, IEC is on the front line of in demand skill training and delivering on this administration’s agenda. Thank you for the conversation and opportunity to meet your apprentices. The takeaways: busting state apprenticeship councils who stand in the way of expansion and market demand, improving transparency in state standard registration, clarity on ratio flexibility, clarity on access to new funding streams, and innovation in RTI/OJT delivery. On it.”