Complete Story
10/03/2025
ECA Student Committee Update - NECA Convention / ECA Member Special Presentation (10/2/25) / ECIC for 2026
Updates highlighting the NECA-IIT Student Chapter recent activities.
ECA Student Committee Update
NECA Convention in Chicago
Upcoming ECIC for 2026
Recent Member Presentation
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / the Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA wishes to thank the ECA Student Committee for their oversight concerning the NECA-IIT Student Chapter. The Committee is instrumental in coordinating potential speakers, topics, among other areas that will aid the students in learning about the industry, as well as offering insight into the varied aspects of the ECIC Challenges. As you are aware, the NECA - IIT Student Chapter recently participated in the 2025 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) sponsored by NECA and ELECTRI International. Even though the students did not place in the full competition, the NECA-IIT Student Chapter won the “Student Chapter of the Year” Award and were acknowledged during the recent NECA Convention that was held in Chicago September 12 – 15, 2025!
The following students were able to actively participate with the recent NECA Convention that was held in Chicago: Aaron Jimenez, Jose Alonso, Andrew Partyka, Cristian Reyes, Emiliano Mora. Dr. Dan Tomal, IIT Facilitator, also encouraged his entire class register to utilize the Trade Show Only portion of the Convention. A number of ECA members were asked to participate with the NECA/ELECTRI Buddy System for students during the NECA Convention. Thank you to all who were able to assist, especially, Scott Block, Block Electric Company, Inc., Jon Lumley, Aldridge Electric, Inc., Mallory Gurtz, Gurtz Electric Co., Thomas Pedergnana, Malko Communication Services, LLC, and Mike Meyer, ECA Student Committee Chair, Continental Electrical Construction Company.
The 2026 preliminary ECIC Proposal was recently submitted to the Student Chapters: 2026 ECIC Proposal. The IIT students look forward to next year’s competition.
2026 ECIC Competition Student Chapter teams are challenged to:
- Design the electrical system from schematic to construction documents.
- Use BIM tools to model and coordinate the system and resolve clashes with other trades.
- Plan project delivery using project management best practices.
- Price and schedule the project using a detailed estimate and schedule.
- Prepare a change order in response to a mid-project scope modification.
- Develop prefabrication and technology integration plans that improve efficiency and safety.
- Leverage AI tools for design, estimating, or scheduling—documenting when and how AI was used.
Dr. Tomal is also expanding the current IIT Smart Tech Lab. A number of area and national vendors have contributed to its expansion. Smart Tech Expansion - Request for Assistance
Video highlighting Smart Tech Lab: https://youtu.be/cn6OAK0Sl9M
Dr. Tomal is looking for speakers to close out the semester / next semester. Currently, Jon Lumley, a former IIT student and Safety Executive at Aldridge Electric, Inc. presented on October 2nd (see below). Matt Kamber, Gurtz Electric Co. will be presenting in November.
The students would like to thank Jon Lumley, Corporate Energy Marshall, Aldridge Electric, Inc. for his special presentation on Thursday, October 2, 2025 during the Student Chapter session. Mr. Lumley, who is a former IIT INTM Graduate / NECA-IIT Student Chapter member, spoke on the varied aspects of Aldridge Electric, Inc.’s coast-to-coast activity in the industry from the Utility sector (substation work) to Transportation to Foundation boring work, among other areas. Jon spoke of the importance of safety on the jobsite, arc flash hazard prevention, among other topics. Again, we thank Mr. Lumley for his assistance and welcome ECA members for their input for future presentations!
Please contact the ECA if you are interested in participating with a presentation / ECIC competition. Many of the presentations are done remotely. Please contact the ECA office for further information.
Pictured are IIT students with Josh Bone, ELECTRI Director (on far left) with Dr .Dan Tomal, IIT Facilitator (middle), as the Student Chapter received the "Student of the Year" Award.
Pictured is Jon Lumley, Corporate Energy Marshall, Aldridge Electric, Inc.,
during his special presentation on Thursday, October 2, 2025 during the Student Chapter session.
