The IEC National Board of Directors manages all aspects of IEC, determines policies, and approves budgets and financial activities. The board includes the Executive Committee, Regional Directors from each of IEC’s five regions, one Industry Partner representative, IEC’s Executive Director, and the chair of the Executive Director’s Council.
The board holds regular in-person and virtual meetings throughout the year which are open to all IEC members unless the Board is engaged in an executive session where confidential issues are discussed. Official meeting minutes are posted to the IEC website once approved.
Bruce Kohan, President
Kohan Electric, Inc., New Jersey IEC
Bruce Kohan serves as President of Kohan Electric, Inc. and All Phase Group, Inc. as a second-generation business owner in electrical and construction services. Both businesses are based and licensed in New Jersey and sections of New York with projects consisting of data centers, medium voltage, and commercial. He served as President and Legislative Chairperson of NJECA and NJIEC for NJ Merit Shop Contractors during his career. Bruce also was instrumental in the implementation of current CEU education requirements in New Jersey, which became law for electrical license renewal working with a local lobbyist and legislators. Bruce is passionate about making a positive impact for electrical contractors and advancing the profession stating, “I look forward to propelling IEC to become a nationally recognized leader in the electrical industry.”
Billy Ross Hill, Treasurer
Hill Electric, IEC San Antonio
Billy Ross Hill is a second-generation owner and the current president of Hill Electric in San Antonio, Texas. Like his father before him, BR views Hill Electric as an extension of his personal ministry. A ministry based on servant leadership, rooted in Faith.
Initially hired to oversee marketing at Hill Electric, BR quickly realized his passion for building relationships and helping others succeed. He stated in a recent interview that relationships underlie the culture of his company. Further stating that he most enjoys, “Making a difference in the lives of people…customers.” Ross says “That is what I love. That is who I am.” Today he is accountable for ensuring continual improvement by developing and incorporating business strategies designed to maximize individual strengths. His goal is simple; to improve the quality of life for his team, their families, and customers. His strategy affirmed by those he leads, with Hill Electric being named a Top Workplace for 2022 (fifth time receiving this award).
Donald Hulsey, Secretary
Hulsey Electric, Midwest IEC
Don joined Northwest Indiana IEC, now Midwest IEC in 2000. He was elected secretary of the Board in 2002 and served in that position until elected President in 2015. While also serving one year as a first-year instructor and remained active in supporting instructors and training program. He played an instrumental role in moving the training center from a 2nd story meeting room to a 1000 sq. ft. facility in 2017. He lead the Midwest IEC Board to actively pursue and hire first, full-time Executive Director in 2020 and facilitated the move into the new 4500 sq. ft. training center in 2021, with the goal to grow the training program. Don assisted the Executive Director and researched other IEC chapters to plan the new lab facilities that instructors can use to better train apprentices.
Don believes his new position will be able to help reach even more members and help develop the next generation of IEC leaders. IEC, and the electrical industry, is always evolving and moving forward. What was the normal, is now ancient history. “We must always, as the Executive Board, be good stewards of IEC’s finances while steering IEC to a path of growth and prosperity.”
Don Sharkey, Vice President
Current Connections, IEC Florida East Coast
A lifelong resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, I currently live in Jupiter, FL with my wife of 44 years, Catherine. We have 2 grown children, son Jimmy and daughter Rosemary. I have worked in the electrical industry since graduating high school in 1976. Prior to graduation I attended a vocational program for residential wiring throughout my junior and senior year. This provided me with the entry level skills necessary to be successful in the industry.
To this day, I am convinced that I would not have been able to excel in the industry as I have, without the benefit of the training I received at the North Technical Education Center. After graduation I began my career as an electrician’s helper, journeyman, foreman and later estimator for several small businesses in the South Florida construction market.
Myself and a partner, Jerome Schmitz, went into business in 1984 by creating Current Connections, Inc.. We purchased Jerry’s interests in 1991 and Catherine and I have been partners since. Our business operates in the commercial, institutional and industrial new construction, renovation and modernization markets throughout South Florida. We currently employ 30 field employees and 12 office and warehouse staff members. I have been a member of the AGC Florida East Coast Chapter since 1986, where I have served on numerous committees, the Board of Directors (1994 – 2009) and as Chapter Treasurer (2005 – 2009). I have been a member at large of IEC since 1990. I was part of an effort in 1994 – 1996 to create a local IEC Chapter that was not successful. I joined an IEC Forum Group in 1999 that is still meeting three times annually.
In 2017 with the help of several other companies, we were able to successfully create the IEC Florida East Coast Chapter where I served as founding president and later past president. I am currently serving on the Board of Directors as the A & T Liaison. I have been a State of Florida Licensed Electrical Contractor since 1991. I am currently serving my third 3-year term as the electrical contractor member of the Palm Beach County Building Code Advisory Board and have served 3 terms as the EC on the PBC Construction Industry Licensing Board. We are members of Christ Fellowship Church a non-denominational mega-church, and I enjoy playing golf, shooting sporting clays, fishing, watching athletic events, reading and the Florida Gators.
Cecil Leedy,Immediate Past President
LEW Electrical Services, IEC Florida West Coast
Cecil Leedy serves as CEO of LEW Electrical Services in Tampa, Florida. He comes from a long line of electricians, including his grandfather and father, and now is joined in the profession by his two sons.
His father started LEW Electrical Services, and Cecil joined the business upon graduating from The Citadel, where he was a scholarship member of the football team. He and his brother took over the business in 1989 and have had their share of ups and downs over the years but have learned a lot in the process. Cecil joined IEC in 1994 and credits the organization for teaching him how to run his business the right way. He has served as chair of the IEC Government Affairs Committee and on the board of directors at chapter level on and off for more than 20 years.
Cecil is very active in government affairs and helped push two bills through the Florida state legislature which Governor Jeb Bush signed into law. He was involved in hiring his chapter’s first lobbyist in Tallahassee, and continues to fight for the merit shop voice at both the local and national levels.
Thayer Long, Executive Director
IEC National (Non-voting member)
Thayer Long is the Executive Director of the National Office of the Independent Electrical Contractors, a federation of businesses and associations in the electrical and power distribution industry. IEC is comprised of over 4,100 member companies and 53 local and regional IEC associations who utilize IEC’s nationally recognized apprenticeship program and workforce development resources. In this role as Executive Director, he is responsible for all aspects of IEC’s apprenticeship and educational programs, speaking with members of Congress and regulators on behalf of the IEC members, and working with the IEC National Board of Directors, the IEC Chapter Executives, and the IEC National Committees to ensure the vitality of the electrical industry and IEC’s position in it.
Thayer has over 25 years of experience representing a variety of business sectors. Prior to IEC, Thayer served in several chief executive positions for the housing and finance industries, real estate and community development, and printing and graphic arts segments.
Thayer is a graduate of Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He is originally from outside of Philadelphia, PA and currently resides in Arlington, VA with his wife and son.
Kings Electric Services, IEC of Greater Cincinnati
DNS Technologies, IEC Northern Ohio
Extreme Electrical Contractors, LLC, IEC of Greater St. Louis
A-Var Electric, Southern Colorado IEC
VA Electric, Northern New Mexico IEC
Encore Electric, IEC Rocky Mountain
Gaffney's Electrical Contracting, IEC Pennsylvania
Esposito’s Electric, New Jersey IEC
Coastal Electric, IEC of Georgia
APG, IEC Florida West Coast
Kent Electric Systems, IEC Texas Gulf Coast
Williams Electric, CenTex IEC
Central Electric Company, IEC San Antonio
IEC Florida West Coast Chapter
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