September Sessions and Fall Plans

 

Autumn is a season of momentum and reflection for NECA Boston and our industry, and the past several weeks have given us much to celebrate, starting with our Contract Spotlight, McDonald Electrical Corporation. The company recently marked its 26th anniversary while undertaking some of its most ambitious projects to date. Their leadership on Boston’s South Station Transit and Tower project, as well as their award-winning work at Northeastern University’s EXP building, is reshaping the region and delivering significant benefits to the people of our state.

 

We also congratulate McDonald CEO Mike McDonald on being sworn in as NECA District 1 Vice President during this year’s National Convention in Chicago—a proud moment for our chapter.

 

This fall also brought us together for several meaningful events. Our September Chapter Meeting at Schneider Electric’s R&D Lab in Andover provided members with an inside look at the cutting-edge technologies shaping our future. The NECA National Convention was another highlight, offering education, networking, and the celebration of Boston-based excellence on the national stage.

 

Closer to home, we joined Local 103 in celebrating its 125th anniversary—an unforgettable evening honoring the legacy and impact of organized labor in Boston. Governor Healey and former Boston Mayor and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh were among the many special guests on hand to pay tribute to Local 103. NECA Boston was also proud to participate in the IBEW Second District Progress Meeting in Providence, where I had the opportunity to join industry leaders in a labor-management summit on strategies to grow market share and strengthen our value proposition.

 

We also co-sponsored the Power Forward Gala with IBEW, a wonderful evening recognizing collaboration and innovation.

 

On the legislative front, members should be aware of the new Responsible Contractor Guidance issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which went into effect July 2025. These new compliance requirements for contractors and subcontractors will have a direct impact on affordable housing projects across the Commonwealth.

 

Finally, I encourage everyone to take advantage of Document Crunch, a free tool available to NECA Boston members that streamlines contract review and risk management procedures.

 

As always, I’m grateful for the energy, dedication, and vision our contractors bring to every project and partnership. Together, let’s carry that momentum forward.

 

— Kristen Gowin, Executive Manager, NECA Boston