2026's 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars
Sponsored by LEDVANCE
As the silver tsunami hits the electrical trades and engineering industry, aspiring leaders are rising to meet the challenge of designing and building tomorrow’s electrical systems. EC&M’s 30 Under 30 celebrates these Electrical All-Stars, who are not only investing in their own skills training and development, but also educating those who follow in their footsteps.
“I hope that by sharing my experience and perspective, I can help others, especially young individuals considering a career in the industry,” said Kyler Mealey, project manager for B&B Electrical Systems LLC. “There is a lot of opportunity in this field, and with the right mindset, hard work, and a willingness to take chances, you can go further than you might expect.”
Ernesto Castillo, an electrical test technician trainee for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), said it’s motivating to be selected and pushes him to keep improving and proving himself in this field.
“I want to keep learning as much as I can, gain experience, and eventually be in a position where I can lead and mentor new trainees,” he said. “LADWP has invested a lot in my career growth and journey, and I want to give back by helping the new generation of technicians grow and succeed within the Department.”
By mentoring others on their team, the All Stars can expand their own skill set and grow as leaders in the electrical industry. They can also make an impact on their local communities by designing and installing new electrical systems. For example, Jarod Didomenico, crew lead for Claypool Electric, said one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is seeing a project come to fruition based on his design.
“Sometimes, it’s in the form of conduit racks filling an electric room exactly as planned, elements of a unique prefabricated system coming to life, or even just seeing little details carefully added to a specific step that has been studied over,” he said.
To help their companies to improve reliability, safety, and productivity, many of the 30 Under 30 are embracing new technologies. For example, Justin Patterson, assistant project manager at Helix Electric, said his company is leveraging AI, centralized storage platforms, project management software, and building information modeling to optimize productivity.
“Being at the forefront of technology today is what sets a good electrical contractor apart from a great one,” he said.
Patterson said being selected for the EC&M 30 Under 30 is validation of the long hours, sacrifices, and drive to be the best. He looks forward to using this recognition to give back to the electrical contracting community as he advocates for and helps advance the field.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected among such an inspiring and impressive group of young professionals, and I’m excited by the responsibility this brings,” he said. “I now have a platform to mentor others, to inspire innovation, and to push the industry forward.”
Tyler Brennen, another 30 Under 30 honoree, said he loves working in the electrical consulting field, and while he knows he has a lot left to learn, he looks forward to experiencing continuing growth.
“My hard work, passion, and dedication being recognized is a great honor that I could not have achieved without the support of my mentors, friends, family, and firm,” said Brennen, who is an electrical engineer IV for CDM Smith. “While I am incredibly proud of this achievement, I recognize that I could not have achieved this without my support system around me.”
EC&M's 30 Under 30 Electrical All Stars for 2026:
About the Author
Amy Fischbach
Amy Fischbach is a freelance writer, editor, and host of the Line Life Podcast based in Overland Park, Kan. Contact her at [email protected].