Quick Links
Jimmie Slemp
Background
- Born in Sacramento, CA
- Served three years in the U.S. Army, where he gained his first electrical experience as a
power generator equipment repairperson
- Attended American River Junior College in Sacramento
- Learned of an electrical apprenticeship program from a friend; entered, and completed,
the program
- In his more than 20 years in the industry, has worked for five larger electrical contractors
in the Sacramento area, including Rex Moore Electrical Contractors & Engineers and Butterfield
Electric, Inc.
- Started teaching at WECA in August 2001; currently Lead Instructor, teaching full-time
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Graduate, standard electrical apprenticeship program, Sacramento, CA, 1988
- Certified California Electrician
- C10 License
- California Credentialed Vocational Education Teacher
Teaching Philosophy
"We have a lot of information to cover in two weeks; sometimes I can only introduce a subject to the
students. I hope I can do it in such a way that a student becomes interested and continues to learn
on his or her own. That's one of the reasons I like the electrical field-there's always something new
to learn."
You may reach Slemp at jslemp@goweca.com
Dan Bierly
Background
Continuing Education and ET Program Manager Dan Bierly holds both residential and commercial certifications
and brings many years of experience to WECA in his new role as ET Lead Instructor. Dan is a graduate
of WECA’s Apprenticeship Program, and has extensive experience in construction as an electrician,
including working for WECA member contractor H&D Electric as a Field Foreman for seven years.
As an ET instructor for WECA, Dan has taught over 40 test preparation courses as well as many other
ET courses. A staunch supporter of the electrical industry, Dan has worked with the Construction Speakers
Bureau and other agencies to promote the industry.
Dan’s teaching and field experience, combined with his technical expertise, contribute significantly
to the development of top quality ET curriculum and to assuring that delivery of classroom training
consistently meets WECA’s standards of excellence.
You may reach Bierly at dbierly@goweca.com
Larry Carlyle
Background
- Born and reared in Sacramento, CA
- As a teenager, helped at family-owned Carlyle Electric but was not truly involved
in the industry until he took over the business in 1983, when he learned about electricity
by working with journeymen electricians; over the years he supplemented his practical
tradecraft by taking classes on electrical topics. He continued to operate the business
for 25 years, until 2003
- Started teaching at WECA in January 2004; currently teaching full-time
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- BA degree, Political Science, California State University, Hayward
- Previously held a C10 License
- Certified California Electrician
- California Credentialed Vocational Education Teacher
- As a business owner, active member of WECA for more than 20 years; WECA Board
member for 14 years; WECA president, 1991 - 92
- Served on the California Electrical Industry Training Committee (which determined standards
for state-approved apprenticeship programs) in 1999
Teaching Philosophy
"The students of the WECA apprenticeship programs have a variety of learning styles. It is
my intent to teach to all those learning styles and leave no student behind."
You may reach Carlyle at lcarlyle@goweca.com
Steve Jatala
Background
One of
the greatest strengths of WECA’s
Voice-Data-Video/Low Voltage training program is the
program manager and lead instructor, Steve Jatala.
Steve is one of the few electricians in California to
have obtained his VDV Electrician Certification after
taking and passing the state certification exam in March
of 2008. Steve has been working in the trade since
graduating from a VDV/Low-Voltage Apprenticeship program
in 1999, serving as a Lead Technician with various
contractors from 2000 to 2008. Steve’s knowledge,
experience and teaching ability resulted in him leaving
the field and taking a full-time instructor position
with WECA in 2008; he has been leading and
developing the WECA VDV Training Program ever since,
including a complete renovation of our VDV training
facility and equipment over the past year.
In
addition to teaching WECA’s VDV apprentice classes,
Steve also developed and teaches our VDV Certification
Exam Prep Course that is based on his own experience
taking and passing the notoriously difficult exam. Due
to his wide range of industry knowledge, Steve has also
developed numerous custom training courses for
contractors throughout California. One of his most
popular programs has been a week-long VDV training
program for companies that want to keep low-voltage work
in-house in order to increase revenue and bidding power.
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
-
CA
Certified VDV Electrician
- BICSI certified technician
-
Currently studying to become BICSI Registered
Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)
-
Multiple industry vendor certifications, including:
-
Leviton
-
Systimax
-
Panduit
-
Ortronics
-
Corning
-
Krone
-
Anritsu Line Sweep Certification
Teaching Philosophy
“I
always enjoyed working in the field, but teaching has
been even more rewarding since it allows me to pass on
my knowledge and interest in the trade to the next
generation of field employees. It is very gratifying to
assist a contractor in growing his or her business or to
help a student increase his or her career
opportunities.”
You may reach Steve at
sjatela@goweca.com
Ned Johns
Background
- Born in San Francisco, CA, and grew up in San Mateo, CA
- Serving as the neighborhood bicycle mechanic in his youth, Ned graduated to automobile mechanics
by age 15. After graduation from high school and trade school, he worked the following 23 years in
the Heavy Duty equipment and automotive industries. Though having a very diverse exposure to these
industries (machinist, service technician, accredited mechanical instructor, service manager, field
operations manager, and as a senior research assistant for Chevron Research and Technology Company),
the closure of the company he worked for in 2001 finally motivated Ned to make a career change.
- In July 2001, Ned started the WECA commercial electrician apprenticeship program.
Early in May 2006, (prior to graduation in November 2006), he passed the California State General
Electrician certification test and began teaching part-time for WECA as a 1st-year Electrician Trainee
instructor
- Ned started instructing full-time for WECA in December 2007
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Recognized by the PAS executive committee as one of the top ten automotive technical students in the thirteen western United States and western Canada (received 2 scholarships)
- Dean’s Honor graduate from Phoenix Institute of Technology (1978)
- Detroit Diesel Allison factory accredited instructor (1981-1985)>/li>
- California State Certified General Electrician (2006)
Electrical industry experience:
- Electrical, Data and Fire Alarm system installations and upgrades at multiple school campuses
- Commercial and residential electrical service work
- High security clearance jobsite remodels and installations (California D.O.C.; Dept. of Homeland Security; Sacramento County Crime and Forensics Lab.; Sacramento County D.A. office)
- Various custom residential installations and remodels (Photo labs, complete kitchens, etc.)
Teaching Philosophy
"I’m not a self made man; I’ve prospered from the selfless mentoring that I’ve received from many excellent people. At WECA, I have the opportunity to help others reach their potential."
You may reach Johns at njohns@goweca.com
Rick Labon
Background
- Born in Grosse Point Woods, MI; lived in Florida several years before coming to
Southern California in 1990
- First became interested in electricity in middle school while attending a two-semester
electronics class; electronics is still one of his hobbies
- Starting in 1982 and learning practical tradecraft on the job, has accumulated more than 20 years
of commercial and residential experience; most recently worked as a commercial foreman for Sadler
Electric Inc. of El Cajon
- Started teaching for WECA in June 2005; currently teaching full-time
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Certified California Electrician
- Credentialed California Vocational Education Teacher
Teaching Philosophy
"To mold an apprentice to be a safe, knowledgeable, and competent journeyman electrician."
You may reach Labon at rlabon@goweca.com
Mike Moyer
Background
- Born in Vallejo, CA
- Entered, and graduated, a standard electrical apprenticeship program; completed a correspondence
electrician course; entered, and graduated, a postsecondary vocational school with a degree in
electronics
- Worked as a journeyman electrician and foreman for various companies in Northern California from
1985 to 2002
- Founded MAK Electrical Consulting of Lincoln, CA in 2002, which he continues to operate
- Started teaching at WECA in October 2003; currently teaching full-time
Degrees/Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Graduate, I. C. S. Correspondence Electrician Course, 1983
- AA degree, Electronics, Heald Institute of Technology, Martinez, CA, 1984
- Certified in: Microwave Electronics Theory; Electrical and Building ICBO Inspection; Pipe-Bending;
Motor Control; Economical Motor Theory
- Certified California Electrician
- C10 License
- California Credentialed Vocational Education Teacher
Teaching Philosophy
"I expect my students to come to class with a strong willingness to learn.to be active participants
in their education.to take the information and knowledge provided to them, then put it to use immediately
and go far with their careers."
You may reach Moyer at mmoyer@goweca.com
Mark Milne
Background
- Born and raised in San Diego, CA
- Interested very early on in the electrical field since watching older brother make a motor from scratch in school
- Began a career in 1994 making precast concrete electric boxes
- Began working as an apprentice in 1999
- Began Teaching for WECA in 2007
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- CA State Certification since 2007
- Fluent in Russian, intermediate in speaking Spanish
Teaching Philosophy
- Be professional, study hard, and be positive.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Be an influence for good to all around you.
Areas of expertise/specialization:
Motor controls circuits, and motor control labs, Electronics, Webcasting Get Wired
Interesting/notable facts about Mark:
Avid boater and water skier. Enjoys camping and family time. Traveled to Russia, Armenia, Finland, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Mexico.
Why Mark feels training is important in the trade:
It is essential to your career to be a both craftsman and a scholar. As a craftsman you must build the best for your company. As a scholar you must learn the most for yourself and your career.
You may reach Mark at mmilne@goweca.com
Zack Wallace
Background
- Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, March 30 th, 1962
- I became interested in the electrical field through a family friend.
- I began my electrical training in 1994 after I was hired by H&D Electric in 1993
- Started teaching for WECA in September, 2006. Currently teaching ET, CE, and Apprenticship classes, and am the ET Lead Instructor.
- I moved to California in 1984, after finishing 3 yrs of electronics technology training in Charleston, S.C.
- The milestone in my career was when I landed my first foreman job in 1999, the final year of my 5 yr apprenticeship.
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Associates Degree in Electronics Technology from Nielsens Electronic Institute, Charleston, South Carolina 1984/ WECA Graduate 1999. Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship/Electrician General Certification since 2005
Teaching Philosophy
I like to provide students with basics or what we do as Electricians. Letting them Know the value of their education, and how what they are doing today is an investment in their future. I stress the fact that our trade requires us to always be safe, and that the safety is the key to long and lasting career in the industry. I encourage them, to get all that they can get from this educational experience, because it is only the beginning to where this trade can take them.
You may reach Zack at zwallace@goweca.com
Keith Chitwood
Background
- Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Worked as an apprenticeship instructor for ABC for 17 years
- Worked as an apprenticeship coordinator for ABC for 6 years
- Worked at Atlantic Technical Center as a full-time instructor for 3 years
- Owned and operated an electrical contracting and service business
- Moved to California in 2004
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Completed a four year electrical apprenticeship through ABC in Florida
- Attained a Journeyman’s License in Broward County, Florida
- Attained a Master’s License in Broward County, Florida
- California Certified General Electrician
- California Certified VDV Technician
- Certified Electrical Craft Instructor with NCCER
- Certified Master Trainer with NCCER
Teaching Philosophy
“We don’t have to make our students learn, they are born with that ability. We have to provide learning opportunities that will enhance their chosen career path.”
Why Keith feels training is important in the trade:
The electrical industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving profession. To keep pace with the evolution, one must continually learn about new concepts and methods of performing work.
You may reach Keith at kchitwood@goweca.com
Kevin DeRocker
Kevin joined WECA as a VDV Apprenticeship Instructor in May of 2011.
Background
- Born in Amsterdam, New York
- Introduced to the electrical field by his father at an early age; his father was a lineman for 30 years and his brother is an electrical engineer
- Underwent formal training at WECA; he is a graduate of WECA’s VDV Apprenticeship program
- Worked for Sierra Building Systems prior to becoming an instructor at WECA
- Moved to California in 2001
Degrees, Certification/Licenses, Industry Involvement
- Fulton Montgomery Community College Associates Degree. June 1992
- Western Electrical Contractors Assn. Graduated VDV Apprentice May 2011 (Salutatorian)
- California State Voice/Data/Video Certification. June 2011
- California State Fire Life Safety Certification. July 2011
Career Milestones
- July 2008, Sierra Building Systems, Fire Alarm & VDV Apprentice
- June 2011, Received California State VDV Certification
- June 2011, Western Electrical Contractors Assn. Fire Alarm and VDV Instructor
Areas of expertise/specialization:
- Fire Alarm and Intrusion
- Kevin feels that as a former student, he is in a position to uniquely relate to student concerns
Why Kevin feels training is important in the trade:
You may have the tools to do a job, but the proper training molds you and teaches you to master those tools and become an expert in your field.
Teaching Philosophy
Kevin's teaching philospophy is based on one of his favorite quotes: Don't give up. Don't ever give up. -Jim Valvano, NC State Basketball Coach gave a speech at the ESPY Awards in 1993 while fighting cancer.
You may reach Kevin at kderocker@goweca.com
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