Complete Story
08/17/2025
ECA 7th Annual Young Professionals Leadership Conference
The event was held August 14 – 15, 2025 at the Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, IL.
ECA 7th Annual Young Professionals Leadership Conference
Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, IL.
August 14 – 15, 2025
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Young Professionals Committee was pleased to have sponsored its 7th Annual Young Professionals Leadership Conference. The event was held August 14 – 15, 2025 at the Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, IL. We thank the nearly 50 registrants who were able to participate with the conference.
The event began with an optional pre-Conference golf outing that was held on property at the Willow Crest Golf Club. The golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the course prior to the full conference start. On the Thursday evening, Alex Willis of Leadership Surge kicked-off the overall program with a pre-cursor to his Leadership session on the 15th. Following Alex Willis were representatives of three NECA Premier Partner firms: Milwaukee Tool: Megan Reilly, JSS Regional Manager and Patrick Hill, JSS Territory Manager; Graybar: Lily Reasoner, Marketing Manager; and 3M: Gina Sapienza, Electrical Markets Division. Each described their organization and its impact on the industry, what they do, and how they work with contractors in the industry.
The Conference continued on the 15th with a presentation by Alex Willis and then seven area Industry Leaders were on hand to discuss their group’s history / background, impact on the industry, importance of young professionals knowing who these contacts are and how their groups assist the industry.
These Industry Leaders / Groups included the following:
Don Finn, Business Manager / Financial Secretary, Local #134 IBEW;
Erin Keane, Executive Director, Electrical Insurance Trustees (EIT);
Tim Janis, Safety Training Specialist, Construction Safety Council (CSC);
Dan Allen, Executive Director, Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO);
Elbert Walters, III, Director, Powering Chicago;
Gene Kent, Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-TECH);
Ali Novinger, Director, Electric Association (EA).
The Conference concluded with Jared Christman, an ELECTRI International Liaison, Big State Electric, Ltd., who gave a “hands-on” AI presentation.
We thank Alex Willis and all of the presenters for their time and expertise. The Conference was a success due to their efforts.
Pictured from left to right are:
Gina Sapienza, 3M Electrical Markets Division; Mallory Gurtz, ECA Young Professionals Committee Chair, Gurtz Electric Co.; Alex Willis Leadership Surge; Lily Reasoner, Graybar Marketing Manager; Megan Reilly, Milwaukee Tool JSS Regional Manager and Patrick Hill, Milwaukee Tool JSS Territory Manager.
Pictured above is Mallory Gurtz, ECA Young Professionals Committee Chair, Gurtz Electric Co.,
as she reviewed the schedule of events.
Pictured is Mark Thomas, ECA Executive Vice President, as he welcomed the attendees.
Pictured is Alex Willis Leadership Surge, as he opened the Conference.
Pictured from the left to right side of the screen:
Megan Reilly, Milwaukee Tool JSS Regional Manager and Patrick Hill, Milwaukee Tool JSS Territory Manager.
Pictured is Lily Reasoner, Graybar Marketing Manager.
Pictured is Gina Sapienza, 3M Electrical Markets Division.
Pictured is Alex Willis during his presentation.
Pictured is Don Finn, Business Manager / Financial Secretary, Local #134 IBEW.
Pictured is Erin Keane, Executive Director, Electrical Insurance Trustees (EIT).
Pictured is Tim Janis, Safety Training Specialist, Construction Safety Council (CSC).
Pictured is Dan Allen, Executive Director, Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO).
Pictured is Elbert Walters, III, Director, Powering Chicago.
Pictured is Gene Kent, Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-TECH).
Pictured is Ali Novinger, Director, Electric Association (EA).
Pictured is Jared Christman, an ELECTRI International Liaison, Big State Electric, Ltd.
