Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP has been serving the Pacific Northwest for 117 years. This prestigious law firm recently joined the ELECTRI Council at the Founder ($100,000) level. Allen Estes, Oles Morrison Partner and Council representative, stated, “ELECTRI's commitment to contractor education led to our decision to support ELECTRI. We see it as a natural step towards our shared interest in the continued success and growth of the industry.” Since the 1930's, the focus of Oles Morrison’s practice has been on construction, government contracts, and public procurement. They represent both national and international clients on projects in the United States and abroad. With offices in Seattle and Anchorage, attorneys provide timely and cost-effective solutions to the most complex problems. Oles Morrison, with the assistance of a seasoned team of in-house consultants and paralegals, provides advice on issues arising from Requests for Proposals and Invitations to Bid, through Protests, Requests for Equitable Adjustments, Disputes, and Terminations.

ELECTRI International now offers an extended pledge option for contractors who decide to make a gift now to the Foundation but want to spread the payments over the next 20 years. Legacy Initiative founder Dick McBride (Southern Contracting, San Diego) is enthusiastic about this new gift plan. “Contractors in every District are concerned about the future of their companies. Some have already set succession plans in place. Others are only now beginning to consider who will take over when they retire. They want to be active in the ELECTRI Council but might be reluctant because they know that they’re getting ready to pass the reigns of the company to someone else within the next three to five years.”

14 NECA Student Chapters Accept Green Energy Challenge: The Second Annual Green Energy Challenge – sponsored by ELECTRI International -- is well underway with 14 NECA Student Chapters competing. This year, each team must identify a local manufacturing facility that needs energy-efficiency improvements; complete an energy audit for its power and lighting systems; and prepare a preliminary energy retrofit design. Each Student Chapter must also design a new solar PV and/or wind energy system for the facility. Three finalist teams will be selected for oral presentations and the winner will be chosen by jury at NECA 2010 Boston. Team information and a link to the Challenge Facebook page can be found at http://www.necanet.org/publications/newsletter/index.cfm?fa=showIssue&issueId=1183