This year, EC&M proudly celebrates its 125th anniversary. I’m not sure how 25 years have passed so quickly, but I vividly remember all of the work that went into our centennial anniversary issue in 2001, in which we chronicled a century of editorial excellence serving the electrical industry. Since November 1901, when the magazine published its first edition as The National Electrical Contractor, our mission has remained remarkably consistent: to help electrical professionals stay informed, work safely, and succeed by delivering trusted technical information from the industry’s leading subject matter experts. Nowhere is that commitment more evident than in our National Electrical Code (NEC) coverage. Bringing our readers analysis on the latest revisions to every edition of the Code since the magazine’s inception, EC&M has continued this century-long commitment to Code education.

One of the reasons we’ve remained such a trusted resource for Code coverage for so many years is the fact that we’ve gathered the best technical minds in the industry, partnering with leading experts in the field to present and translate the Code language into practical application content. For decades, Mike Holt exemplified that commitment. Through hundreds of articles, conference presentations, webinars, and videos, he has helped generations of electrical professionals better understand the NEC. As Mike begins an exciting new chapter following his final month as an EC&M contributor in June 2026, we thank him for the tremendous legacy he leaves behind and wish him continued success. Building on that legacy, we’re excited to welcome two nationally recognized Code experts to the EC&M family. Beginning with this July 2026 issue, Paul Abernathy and Ryan Jackson will join our editorial team, helping continue our long tradition of delivering trusted NEC coverage to our audience.

Many of you already know Paul through his work as founder and executive director of the Certified Master Electrical Code Professional program, administered by the Electrical Code Academy, Inc., where he is CEO, president, and chairman of the board. He is also creator of the Fast Trax^® System and a member of NFPA 70 Code-Making Panels 5 and 17. For nearly four decades, he has dedicated his career to helping electrical professionals not simply memorize the Code but truly understand how to navigate and apply it. He also served as the electrical engineer overseeing electrical plan review and field inspections for Richmond, Va., and the Code supervisor overseeing field inspections/internal training for Alexandria, Va.

Ryan Jackson brings an equally impressive blend of field experience, inspection expertise, and technical leadership to the table. A member of NEC Code-Making Panels 3 and 14 and multiple UL Standards technical committees, Ryan has taught thousands of seminars across the country and authored one of the industry’s most sought-after NEC references, his three-volume Comprehensive Guide to the NEC, which is used in IEC’s apprenticeship curriculum. His practical, visual teaching style and extensive experience developing Code education make him an outstanding addition to EC&M’s editorial team.

We’re excited to watch Paul and Ryan deliver their own unique perspectives, experiences, and teaching styles to our audience. The electrical industry will continue to evolve; so will the National Electrical Code. And EC&M will continue to do what it’s done since 1901 — deliver the trusted technical insight that helps electrical professionals build safer, smarter, and more reliable electrical systems. Here’s to the next 125 years.