Harford County Electrical Contractors Association Electrical Apprenticeship Program Hosts 42nd Annual Graduation

The Harford County Electrical Apprenticeship (HCECA) Program’s 42^nd annual graduation took place on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Amoss Center at Harford Technical High School. The graduation ceremony celebrated 75 graduates.

Rod Bourn, Owner of Down Set Lead was the master of ceremonies and opening remarks were made by JeanMarie Makres, Executive Director of the program, and by Jason Sieracki and Steve Madison, both Training Coordinators. The event also included remarks from Dr. Theresa B. Felder, Harford Community College President, who spoke of the perseverance demonstrated by these students who work full time and attend school twice a week in the evenings, requiring great dedication and sacrifice. She also acknowledged the importance of the graduates’ support of their families, friends, and employers. The keynote speaker of the evening was Mr. David White, Flying Hour Program Manager, Army National Guard at National Guard Bureau, who spoke of his own personal history and experience, beginning his career in the trades which subsequently led him to advancement and a successful and fulfilling career in the military.

The apprenticeship school, which is housed at Harford Community College’s Edgewood Hall, typically graduates approximately 70 to 80 students each year. Since 1982, 2,076 apprentices have graduated from this program. They anticipate over 125 new enrollments for the fall of 2023.

The Harford County Electrical Contractors Association was formed as an official group in 1941. In 1978, the organization was restructured and over the next few years it became one of the largest electrical apprenticeship programs in the state of Maryland.  The Contractors Association organized their members, worked with local and state agencies, hired educational consultants, and formed a long-term academic partnership with Harford Community College, thus ensuring the stability and growth of the trade. With this partnership all graduates, upon completion of their apprenticeship with HCECA, are eligible to receive 21 college credits toward an A.A.S. degree in Technical/Professional Studies or 19 credit hours toward an A.A. degree in General Studies.

The apprenticeship program includes four years of classroom instruction, in accordance with state and federal regulations. The classes begin in September and run through April each year, which meets the required 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year. Students are thoroughly trained in residential, commercial and industrial wiring, and the National Electrical Code for a total of 576 classroom hours over the four years. In addition, apprentices must acquire 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Upon completion, each student is issued a State of Maryland Certificate of Completion, identifying the student as a qualified journeyperson electrician.

The seventy-five 2023 HCECA graduates are Eric L. Abbott, Zachary M. Aljets, Greg W. Ashburn, Nathan A. Ashwood, Muhammad Asif, Alexander D. Bagster-Collins, Daniel J. Bailey, Dalton J. Battaglia, John P. Baynes Jr., Jeffrey J. Boggs, Gregory A. Bolling Jr., Brent A. Brauer, Brandon Z. Brietenback, Joshua J. Brown, Zachary A. Brown, Ciera J.M. Cline, Jacob T. Coomes, Joshua D. Cooper, William L. Decker, Jonathan C. Deyette, Blake R. Diem, Jeffrey P. DiMattei, Jr., Francis D. Dix, Daniel M. Donaldson, Andrew Vlad Donnelly, Logan T. Donovan, Shane P. Fifer, Glenn D. Frock Jr., Kevin V. Fuhr, Stephen M. Fusting, Austin C. Gerhart, Michael P. Gillis, Nehemiah I. Goggins, Samuel E. Gordon, Finn R. Gottschalk, Shane P. Gress Jr., Patrick A. Handlin, Joshua T. Hinchy, Gavin A. Hines, Austin W. Hoffman, Jonathan Howell, Brett A. Johnson, Evan C. Johnson, Skyler R. Leschefsky, Anthony J. Maggio, Ian C. Magill, Sean W. McKay, Keegan E. Miller, Kenneth H. Moler, Samuel N. Mullen, Luis C. Munsey, Kenneth L. Murray, David B. Nathanson, Austin D. Otte, Tomasz Piasecki, Cody L. Reachard, Ryan A. Ringger, Chase L. Ringus, Gregory P. Ryan, Larry R. Sheets, III, Brendan M. L. Sigler, Jordan D. Smith, Matthew P. Smith, Nicolas A. Soper, Jacob S. St. Sauveur, Jonathan D. Steele, Carson E. Stevens, Zachary T. Stone. Cameron P. Thompson, William C. Thornton, Scott A. Tingler, John E. Vovak, Bruce M. West, Bryce P. Woolford, and Harrison R. Zorbach.

The seven graduates with the highest GPA were recognized for their academic achievement (from 1^st through 7^th place): William C. Thornton (97.905), William L. Decker (97.893), Samuel N. Mullen (97.509), Glenn D. Frock Jr. (97.321), Evan C. Johnson (96.393), Stephen M. Fusting (96.363), and Jonathan D. Steele (96.211). Also recognized for perfect attendance all four years were Jeffrey D. DiMattei Jr., Andrew Vlad Donnelly, Samuel N. Mullen, and Jonathan D. Steele. The Outstanding Student Award, sponsored by the Electrical Contractors Association of Baltimore County, was also presented in honor of the memory of the apprenticeship program’s late instructor Lee Jolley. An award of $100 was given to one outstanding student in each of the 16 apprenticeship classes (1^st through 4^th years). The 4^th year recipients were Cameron P. Thompson, Ryan A. Ringger, and William C. Thornton.

For more information on the Harford County Electrical Contractors Apprenticeship Program, please visit hcecamd.org, email hceca@harford.edu or call 443.412.2800.

Photo Credit: Josh Eller, Harford Community College, The Harford County Electrical Apprenticeship Program Class of 2023 Graduates.