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Loading...The 2025 NECA/IBEW 4th District Industry Night was more than a gathering—it was a statement of unity. Held during the Fourth District Progress Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, the event brought together contractors, labor leaders, customers, and industry partners from across the region to explore what’s possible when collaboration drives the conversation. At its core, the night celebrated the power of the NECA/IBEW partnership, an alliance uniquely positioned to lead the electrical construction industry through a period of rapid transformation.
From expanding market share to meeting clean energy demands, NECA contractors and IBEW members are proving that labor-management collaboration isn’t just ideal, it’s essential. That message was echoed throughout the evening, not only by union leadership, but by contractors and clients who recognize the value of working with a highly trained, adaptable workforce. “If NECA and the IBEW don’t work together, we fall behind,” said Jack Savage, Executive Director of the Eastern Region of NECA. “But when we move in sync, the sky’s the limit.”
While the event marked the first for new IBEW Fourth District Vice President Austin Keyser, his remarks reflected the evening’s broader theme: a forward-looking, cooperative future. “We’re built to grow, built to fight, and built to build strength,” Keyser noted. And that strength lies in unity.. between labor and management, between jobsite and policymaker, and between tradition and innovation.
One of the evening’s highlights was a panel discussion that emphasized the cornerstone relationship between NECA and the IBEW. Jack Savage spoke directly to the strength of this labor-management partnership, stating, “We are the most progressive partnership in labor today.” From jointly advancing market share to tackling challenges through shared vision, the NECA/IBEW team continues to prove what’s possible when leadership aligns.
The evening also spotlighted emerging alliances—like the powerful collaboration between the IBEW and the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). Speakers highlighted how these “unlikely allies” are advancing clean energy initiatives while employing IBEW members on high-impact, community-based projects.
Ultimately, the 4th District Industry Night was more than a networking event. It was a rallying cry for unity, growth, and collective impact. As IVP Keyser put it, “We’re built to grow, built to fight, built to build strength.” Together, the NECA/IBEW team is lighting the path forward—for the workforce, for industry, and for the future of energy.