EC&M Industry Experts and Advisors

This page highlights some of EC&M's regular content contributors who are also experts in the electrical industry. Browse the list, view their content, and connect with them. If you are interested in joining this community of strategic technical advisors and contributing on a regular basis, please send an email to [email protected].

Mike Holt
NEC Trainer / Consultant, Mike Holt Enterprises

Mike earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. He started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Since 1975, he has provided custom in-house seminars for groups such as IAEI, NECA, ICBO, IBM, AT&T, Motorola, and the U.S. Navy. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations.

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Russ LeBlanc
NEC Consultant and Owner, LeBlanc Consulting Services

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a journeyman electrician and then eventually became a master electrician and licensed construction supervisor. He is currently the owner of LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, Mass. In 1999, Russ became an electrical instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Woburn, Mass., where he developed his passion for teaching. He quickly assumed the role of department head of electrical instruction. In addition to his monthly contributions to EC&M, he continues to provide master electrician courses, Code seminars, and arc-flash awareness training through his consulting service business and the Peterson School. Russ is an active member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Electrical Section and has authored numerous NEC proposals and comments, which have become Code rules. He is also a member and certified electrical inspector of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI).

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Mark Lamendola

Technical Consultant

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work. Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

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Eddie Guidry
Senior Fellow, Fluor Enterprises, Inc.

Eddie is a senior fellow with Fluor Enterprises, Inc., Sugar Land, Texas. He is highly skilled in electrical and control systems for industrial construction, design, and engineering (both domestic and abroad). The majority of Eddie’s 38 years of experience includes upstream and downstream portions of petrochemical plants and refineries. He is also heavily experienced in water and wastewater treatment facilities.

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Don Kiper
Independent Electrical Estimating Consultant and Trainer, Estimating 101

With more than 35 years of experience as a construction electrician, industrial maintenance electrician, foreman, estimator, estimating manager, and project manager, Don has used what he learned to lead in the implementation of estimating software with three electrical contractors where he has worked. Don has 17 years of experience in the construction field and 18 years of office experience and he has personally estimated over $700 million dollars in electrical projects. 

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Tommy Northcott, P.E.
Senior Power Engineer, Jacobs Technology, Inc.

Tommy earned a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in Power Systems from Tennessee Technological University. He is a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Tennessee, a Certified Reliability Leader, and a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional. Tommy has broad experience working with large electric utility systems as a Systems Engineer, Arc Flash Project Manager, Operations and Maintenance Manager, and Reliability Engineering Manager. Tommy has extensive experience in operations and maintenance of electrical equipment, performing arc flash analysis calculations, developing and conducting electrical safety training and developing company electrical safety standards to ensure OSHA and NFPA 70E compliance. 

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Gerald Talbot
Operations Manager, Mister Sparky

Talbot is a licensed, master electrician in Georgia, where he was born and raised. He has been in the industry for 22 years and is currently the operations manager for Mister Sparky Atlanta, where he manages a team of technicians. In his spare time, he plays with his kids, volunteers, and enjoys flipping houses. He can be reached at [email protected].

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Randy Barnett
Electrical Codes and Safety Program Manager, NTT Training

Barnett is an NFPA-certified electrical safety compliance professional with more than 35 years of industrial electrical construction, maintenance and training experience. He has worked as a journeyman electrician in nuclear and coal-fired power plants, on railroad locomotives and in various manufacturing environments. He is the author of “Commercial and Industrial Wiring” from ATP Publishers, the EC&M Book, “Introduction to Industrial Electrical Maintenance” and numerous articles. Randy conducts electrical code and safety classes worldwide and holds the NCPCCI General Electrical Inspector Certificate.

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John Lupacchino
Senior Design Engineer, Gaylor Electric, Inc.

John began his career in electrical construction as an apprentice and worked his way through the trade. He is currently licensed in more than 80 jurisdictions. With more than 35 years of experience, he now plays a vital role in Gaylor Electric’s Engineering Department, where he serves as a senior design engineer. With a focus on design engineering, quality assurance, and code compliance, he has earned the highest level of respect from industry professionals alike. John currently serves as an alternate on NFPA 70 Code Making Panel No. 3. In addition, he enjoys sharing his electrical knowledge through education. As an Associated Builders and Contractor's instructor, he continues to help grow a new generation of high-performing construction leaders.

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