Today’s young electrical professionals are igniting a spark in the industry with their passion, persistence, and burning desire to make a difference. To honor those who rise above and beyond their peers, EC&M shines the spotlight on a select few — the 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars.
Over the last eight years, EC&M has accepted nominations for this special recognition from electrical contractors, electrical engineering firms, and plants/facilities for electrical professionals 30 years old or younger. To make the cut, they must demonstrate innovation, efficiency, and creativity, while incorporating technology into their jobs.
Carlie Cook, site manager for Rosendin, said she is honored and grateful to be selected for the 30 Under 30 honor.
“Growing up, I never imagined myself in the electrical construction industry, let alone thriving as a young woman in the field,” Cook said. “I’m so thankful to have found this career path and hope it inspires other young professionals to pursue opportunities in this industry as well.”
This year, a record number of nominations flooded in for the 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30. Our select group of Electrical All Stars, who are shining brightly at their companies, are helping to shape the electrical industry.
For example, Sophia Pike, electrical engineer III for Syska Hennessy Group, enjoys walking around Boston, knowing that she helped to change and develop the city’s iconic skyline.
“It’s really cool to see something tangible when I spend so much time looking at floor plans on a computer screen,” she said.
Like others in our 30 Under 30, she also enjoys serving as a mentor to the younger engineers. Nicholas Burge, superintendent for Eldeco, agreed, saying his favorite part of his role is being able to watch people excel in their careers.
“There is nothing more rewarding than giving someone encouragement and watching them take off running,” he said.
To make their mark, many of the engineers, electricians, project managers, and business owners in this year’s group are embracing the latest tools and technologies and going above and beyond to improve productivity and safety for their workforce.
Nada Abdelfattah, electrical engineer III at Mott MacDonald, said technology is critical for today’s electrical firms and drives efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage in an increasingly complex industry landscape.
“Advanced design software, building information modeling, and analytical tools not only streamline workflows but also enable the development of more sophisticated, sustainable, and optimized electrical systems,” Abdelfattah said.
Katie Green, assistant project manager for Encore Electric, said staying up to date with technology is very important, especially with projects getting more complex and fast-paced.
“Tools like BIM, digital collaboration platforms, and field-tracking software help us stay organized, work more efficiently, and keep everything moving smoothly,” Green said.
While the 30 Under 30 have diverse educational backgrounds, training experiences, and work responsibilities, one common theme that emerged is that the electrical industry is fast-paced and moving quickly into the future. Eric Laub, the great-grandson of the founder of Cache Valley Electric, said opportunities in the electrical industry are abundant right now.
“Anyone who has a great attitude and work ethic has a tremendous opportunity to succeed,” Laub said.
The following profiles explore the educational and training backgrounds of these 30 young electrical professionals and reveal how they are continuing to make a lasting impact on their companies and communities.
EC&M's 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars for 2025:
Sharing Insights: Strategies to Scale to the Top of the Electrical Industry
The 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30 have wrapped up their apprenticeships, earned their degrees, and sharpened their skill sets. As they continue to advance in their careers, they offered the following tips for other up-and-coming electrical professionals aspiring to be leaders in the industry.
- Stop being fixated on how things have always been done. “Flexibility leads to growth and allows you to adapt under the many different pressures of being in the fast-paced and hard-working electrical field,” said Mason Brunelle, project superintendent for Interstates Electrical Corporation.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. “Whenever a problem arises, I want to find the problem and execute,” said Hannah Shasserre, project engineer for ArchKey Solutions. “Confrontation can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary in being successful in this industry.”
- Accept constructive criticism. “Never allow anyone to put a cap on yourself, including yourself,” said Kaitlyn Shands, estimator for Amteck.
- Be open to learning a new way of doing things. “There is always going to be a different way of doing a task than how you do it or what you’re taught,” said Jonathan Reese, electrical foreman for Hill Electric Co. Inc.
- Network inside and outside your company to create connections. “I really don’t think I would be where I am without my go get it attitude and the network of people I created when I started at my current role,” said Sophia Pike, electrical engineer III for Syska Hennessy Group. “Create your own network of subject matter experts so you can be the most well-rounded engineer you can be.”
- Be proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning. “It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about thinking critically and adding value wherever you can,” said Emily Neumann, lead electrical engineer for Black & Veatch.
- Be interested in your work, and stay determined. “Love what you do, so it doesn’t feel like a job all the time,” said Kevin Lytle, Jr., electrical foreman for Allfab Group, Inc.
- Focus on safety. “It is the most important thing for young electricians to succeed,” said Rubin Logan, electrical apprentice for the University of Houston.
- Have a strong work ethic. “I believe in doing everything to the highest ability and more,” said Luis Llamas, master electrician and owner of El Salvador Electric. “The electrical industry is tough, but you can give up easy.”
- Focus on the three Es: ethics, enthusiasm, and the environment. “Always set a standard, be present, and seek feedback to adjust to what it will take to become a successful individual,” said Prime Hein, street lighting engineering associate for the City of Los Angeles.
- Be able to work with others as a team. “This is an important skill because most tasks on the job require teamwork,” said Paul Giovanni, fifth year apprentice for TC Electric.
- Treat every day like it’s your first day on the job. “Take every opportunity to learn, grow, and take on new challenges,” said JD Chenoweth, project manager for Sturgeon Electric Co. Inc. “Never stay content with where you are at. There is no growth in the comfort zone.”
- Embrace technological innovation and develop leadership capabilities. “I believe success in today’s electrical industry requires technical excellence paired with business acumen, a commitment to sustainable solutions, collaborative skills that bridge disciplines, resilience through challenges, and dedication to continuous learning,” said Nada Abdelfattah, electrical engineer III at Mott MacDonald.
- Learn how to use tools like AI and automation. “As engineers, we are at the forefront of innovation and design, and we need to keep pushing the envelope better and faster,” said Dylan Bui, electrical engineer for Salas O’Brien.
- Never be complacent. “Complacency has no place in our line of work, and I make sure that each client feels confident to call on me at any time, even long after the project is complete,” Bui added.
About the Author
Amy Fischbach
Amy Fischbach, EUO Contributing Editor
Amy Fischbach ([email protected]) is a freelance writer and editor based in Overland Park, Kan.