News

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Oregon-Columbia Chapter and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 48 have been selected to receive the 2006 Community Organization Urban Pioneer Award from Portland State University’s College of Urban and Public Affairs in honor of the two groups’ successful joint partnership and programs.

“The partnership between NECA and IBEW represents the level of vision that makes Portland the great city that it is. We are pleased to honor two organizations so committed to the community,” said Lawrence Wallack, dean of the College.

NECA/IBEW join Williams and Dame, recipients of this year’s Urban Pioneer Award for Civic Leadership, and Mike Lindberg, recipient of this year’s Urban Pioneer Award for Public Service, at the fifth-annual dinner and banquet May 2, 2006, at the Portland Hilton Hotel.

The NECA is a management organization working specifically for the betterment of electrical contractors and the electrical industry. Locally, the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA represents professional electrical contractors in the Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington areas. The IBEW was founded in 1891 and was the first union established specifically for electricians. IBEW is the largest electrical union in the world. Locally, IBEW Local 48 was organized in 1913 to serve the needs of the region’s growing electrical industry.

The Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA and the IBEW Local 48 partner together to fund and manage the nationally acclaimed NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center’s apprenticeship program, safety program, health and welfare and pension plan, and other joint services. The results of this cooperation are evident in its success. Together, the IBEW Local 48 and NECA contractors have implemented a successful Drug-Free Workplace Program, completed more than 41 million man-hours of accident-free work, funded a new state-of-the-art training center and established a partnering program that is emulated by NECA chapters across the country.

“NECA and the IBEW are proud of our strong partnership and the accomplishments we have both made over many years while serving the greater Portland community and providing meaningful and respected career paths for thousands of Oregonians,” said NECA/IBEW representative, Tim Gauthier. “We are truly grateful for the recognition bestowed upon our industry by PSU.”

The Urban Pioneer Award was created to honor community leaders who exhibit many of the ideals taught to students, and valued by College of Urban and Public Affairs’ faculty and community partners. The College trains and educates the next generation of leaders who will address government, health and urban issues.

In 2005, Urban Pioneer Awards were given to Mayor Vera Katz (Nohad A. Toulan Urban Pioneer for Public Service), Kay Toran (Urban Pioneer for Civic Leadership) and Central City Concern (Urban Pioneer Community Organization). For more event information, please contact Rod Johnson at 503-725-4044 or rod@pdx.edu.

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Source:

Trish Hamilton (503-725-5209)
College of Urban and Public Affairs

For Immediate Release (#06-012)