Illinois State University construction management majors John Mueting and Marshall Graham participated in the ELECTRI International/NECA Green Energy Challenge in Boston on October 7–10, 2016.

The NECA Green Energy Challenge is a highlight of the annual National Electrical Contractors Association Conference showcasing NECA student chapters. Fourteen NECA student chapters participated in the 2016 real-world challenge competition, which asked students to develop real solutions with the assistance of NECA members and chapters.

This year, the competition focused on designing an energy upgrade of a local K-12 school. The upgrade included a small-scale PV (photovoltaic/solar) system. The Illinois State team placed 8th for their design for an electrical upgrade for Parkside Junior High School in Normal.

Illinois State team members included:

  • Bill Serbousek, executive vice president of State of Illinois NECA Chapter
  • Jeremy Wilcox, Wilcox Electric
  • John Mueting, junior construction management major, vice president of Illinois State’s team
  • Ian Andrews, Illinois Chapter Assistant Central Illinois NECA
  • Marshall Graham, senior construction management major, president of Illinois State’s team

Their bid and specifications for the Parkside project included lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), as well as solar panels.

NECA’s second annual student job fair followed the Green Energy Challenge competition. The job fair was designed to expose students to a variety of employment and internship opportunities within the electrical construction industry.