The Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation was formed in 1996 with one fundamental goal — to provide new apprentices the opportunity to gain the valuable hands-on training they need to join the workforce as professional electricians and technicians.
The Foundation has never lost sight of this initial goal and has worked tirelessly to find new, exciting, and effective ways to fund this important work. Guiding the Foundation’s efforts is its ‘wheel’ of beliefs.
Foundation Chairman Tom Alexander, Atkins & Stang, says that at the 2019 IEC Business in Ft. Lauderdale, the Foundation had a consultant in to help them better understand and organize goals and expectations of the Foundation. It was there the Foundation Board came up with their ‘We Believe’ statements.
“All board members had a say and we were able to generate our statements and get the buy-in of every Foundation Board member,” Tom adds. “It’s simple on purpose and it keeps us all on the same page.”
Tom admits that the circle initially came about on a bathroom trip in The Home Depot.
“The Home Depot company vision and its standards were painted on the wall for employees to see every day,” Tom recalls. “I thought that was great and started thinking ‘how can we do that with our we believe statements?’ I went back into my truck, took out a yellow legal pad, drew a circle, and added some words. Then I sent it to LaNa (Foundation executive director) saying I think we should do something like this!”
Led By the Circle
Regular Foundation programs include The Home Depot ProXtra Grant, Equipment Grant, Foundation Scholarship Fund, and Disaster Relief Fund.
“New this year is the EmpowerHer Scholarship, with applications taken under our scholarship fund period,” says LaNa Al-Amin, MSOL. “It is sponsored by Wesco Women’s Impact Network and recognizes leadership potential and aligns with the Foundation’s mission to foster personal and professional empowerment. We look forward to announcing our first awardee soon.”
Foundation Board Member Dean Kredit, K2 Electric, serves as Foundation treasurer and equipment grant chairman. He also held leadership roles with IEC, including serving as president in 2013.
“As Foundation treasurer, I see the impact of various grants for our chapters and our apprentices,” Dean says. “Through my time in IEC, I knew a lot of the industry partners and knew the potential of their support. Even with transition in people over the years, these companies remain committed to providing the equipment our labs need to improve their skills. As I interact with them, they see opportunities where they can contribute.”
He cites the 2024 donation of more than 4,000 computers from Sonepar USA as an example. Dean says the company knew many IEC students often need computers and their company was in the position to be able to refurbish and donate them to the IEC Foundation.
“It’s just fun to be a part of the Foundation and work with so many wonderful people who act daily to put our beliefs into action,” Dean concludes.
Helene Webster is Foundation vice chair and executive director of the IEC Texas Gulf Coast chapter. Helene has seen first hand how her apprentices have benefited from Foundation support.
“In 2024, IEC Texas Gulf Coast was an equipment grant awardee and a Home Depot ProXtra award recipient,” she says. “These awards allowed our chapter to recarpet our auditorium, update some of our labs, and buy smart boards for our classrooms. Improvements like these allow us to interest the next generation of electricians to train with us and meet that wheel belief: ‘The Advancement of the Electrical Systems & Contracting Industry.’ I am so proud to be associated with the Foundation.”
Another belief is ‘Supporting Each Other In All Circumstances’ whether professional or personal. A few years back, the Foundation Board decided it was important to impact the local communities where members live and work. This resulted in organizing community service projects in the cities where SPARK is held.
“We wanted to give SPARK attendees the opportunity to leave behind a bit of the IEC spirit after our meetings ended,” says LaNa. “Working with local IEC members, we identify a need and organize an effort to help. Where possible, we try to include a service activity during the time at SPARK in addition to fundraising.”
Projects have included providing and packing much-needed toiletry items for the Louisville Home of the Innocents and donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 2022 in Louisville, raising funds for a service dog for a veteran in Dallas in 2023 through the Guardian Angels, and supporting a number of Tampa organizations in 2024 helping children affected by sex trafficking and other at-risk kids.
These community service initiatives were extremely important to Gene Mini, Foundation founding member, who passed away January 28, 2025. In honor of his heart for service, the Foundation’s annual community service project will be named The Gene Mini IEC Foundation Community Service Project. Donations are accepted here.
It All Fits Together
“The biggest statement on the circle for me is ‘Our Industry’s Future,’” Tom says. “I’m a graduate of the IEC Apprenticeship Program myself and nowhere in my wildest dreams back then did I think I’d be where I’m at today with this great career. Being involved with the Foundation helps me not be selfish and give other people in this world the opportunity to flourish.”
The Foundation has grown over the years in the amount and types of donations received and distributed widely through IEC chapters and in the local communities where IEC holds events through Foundation community service projects.
What hasn’t changed is the unwavering support of the Foundation and its partners to ensure that all have access to the fine training and career options offered by the IEC Apprenticeship Program.
