IDEAL National Championship Competitors Share Their Stories

We’re following the stories of electricians from across the country as they work on some of the nation’s most incredible projects. From Texas Motor Speedway, to Solider Field and more; watch their stories and see how they power our world.

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Person in blue hard hat and orange shirt working with electrical wiring, holding a metal conduit with gloved hands in an industrial setting.

Featured Episode

Luis Sanchez | Competitor at Heart

Luis Sanchez was raised with a competitive spirit. Growing up as a soccer player taught him how to be a team player and work hard to complete a personal challenge. He came into the electrical trade because he loved doing hands-on work. His efforts as a hard worker and quick learner have paid off. The four-year electrical apprentice competed and placed 3rd in the 2022 IDEAL National Championship. See how Luis gets his competitive edge.

Person working on electrical wiring in a partially constructed building, holding a yellow wire and a blue cable reel next to a ladder.

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Wire to Wire Episodes

Construction worker installing electrical wiring in a wooden framed building.

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Josh Tower | The Next Generation
For Electrician Josh Tower, being a sparky is part of a family legacy. The work ethic Josh’s dad taught him sticks with him each time he shows up to a work site. From placing top three in the 2022 IDEAL National Championship to the job site, Tower takes pride in his work everyday. Hear Josh’s story in this Wire to Wire episode.

Construction workers in a workshop, one holding a blueprint, another wearing a hard hat labeled '240 VOLTS.' The setting includes tools and equipment.

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Tom Kennedy | Teacher Turned Champion
What if your electrical teacher was the nation’s top electrician? You saw him take home the trophy at the 2022 IDEAL National Championship, now hear his story. Tom Kennedy has been an electrician for 31 years, and he’s been teaching apprentices since 1997.  

Person holding a green ladder next to a vehicle with tools in the trunk.

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Emma Becker | A Trailblazer in the Trades
In this edition of Wire to Wire, we’re celebrating Apprentice Emma Becker. She’s a trailblazer in the trades who not only took home the Automatic Qualifier title, but was the first female to advance to the final apprentice round at the IDEAL National Championship. 

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Anthony Kovalchick | Electrician to Champion
When Anthony Kovalchick started in the trade 10 years ago, being an electrician was just a job. Now, he says, it’s more than that. In 2021, after competing for 5 years straight, Kovalchick knew he had the trophy in the bag in the competition’s final generator challenge. 

Person on rooftop with solar panels and city skyline in background, wearing Shedd Aquarium shirt.

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Dale Drozda | Shedd Aquarium

From beluga whales to sharks, Dale Drozda works alongside some pretty cool aquatic creatures as Head Electrician at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. In this episode of Wire to Wire, watch how Dale keeps critical life support systems up and running for the 32,000 animals that reside at the Shedd.

Person wearing safety gear on a Ferris wheel structure with ocean in the background.

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Mario Villasenor | Navy Pier
Get to know Mario Villasenor, head electrician at Chicago’s Navy Pier for 26 years in our latest episode of Wire to Wire. Tasked with keeping the lights on at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, every move counts when Mario scales this attraction nearly 200 feet in the air. 

Person in construction gear with blurred face, wearing a green hard hat and orange safety vest, standing in a construction area with large windows.

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Noreen | Bose Center for Performing Arts

This episode of Wire to Wire features 2020 National Competitor, Noreen. Not only is Noreen a seasoned professional, she’s a proud member of Tradeswomen Building Bridges, an organization working to increase female visibility in the trades. Learn more about what initially drew Noreen to a career in the trades.

Two people standing in front of Hollywood Casino building with signage displaying temporary hours.

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Alex Cook | Hollywood Casino

This Wire to Wire video takes you behind the scenes with Alex, one of our 2020 IDEAL National competitors. Like many electricians, Alex developed his passion for the trades from his father. See how Alex is carrying on his father’s legacy while also paving his own way.

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Erik Brandenburg | Arizona

This Wire to Wire episode goes behind the scenes with Erik, a 2020 National Chamionship competitor who specializes in lighting systems for large resort-style homes. Watch as he installs an LED lighting system that decreases the home’s power consumption by 80%.

Worker on hydraulic lift adjusting a large digital screen with grid pattern.

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Jeremiah Bibby | Texas Motor Speedway

Jeremiah Bibby, a returning 2019 IDEAL National Championship Professional Competitor shares a behind-the-scenes look at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX, home of Big Hoss, the Guiness World Record holder for largest LED HD Video Board in the world. 

Two construction workers in safety gear perform a fist bump in front of a brick building.

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Dan Becerra | Apprentice

In this episode, Dan Becerra, a returning 2019 IDEAL National Championship Apprentice Competitor shares how he got into the trade, and talks about the satisfaction he gets from working with his hands doing electrical work in schools.

A person with a blurred face standing in a stadium under a clear sky, wearing a dark shirt with a strap over their shoulder.

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Tom Russell | Soldier Field

In this episode, Tom Russell, Master Electrician at Soldier Field, takes us behind the scenes for a look at what it takes to keep this iconic football stadium lit and comfortable for tens of thousands of guests in both the winter and summer seasons.

Person wearing a helmet in front of wind turbines and mountains.

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Brook Thomas | Carver Wind Site

In this episode, we visit the Carver Wind Site in Palm Springs, CA with Brook Thomas, for an inside look at what it takes to maintain 3,500 wind turbines. Brook started his own company specializing in electrical operations and maintenance of wind turbines.  

Person standing on a platform near a roller coaster track with a tower and American flag in the background.

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Hector Malagon | Six Flags Magic Mountain

In this episode, Hector Malagon takes us behind the scenes at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Sant Clarita, California. Hector has been an electrician at the amusement park for 27 years and manages a team of 20 electricians.