Workforce

Sparking Success: Award Finalists

By Rachel E. Pelovitz
June 7, 2021
Topics
Workforce

JOHN PINELO, SR.
Sales Engineer
Federal Technology Solutions Inc.
Electrical and Low Voltage Programs Instructor
Associated Builders and Contractors – Southern California
Corona, California

After more than 30 years in the electrical/low voltage sector, John Pinelo Sr., sales engineer at Federal Technology Solutions Inc., knows what is most important: happy customers and passing along the torch.

“What I enjoy most is when a design installation is complete and the customer is happy,” he says. “I also love when I am called out for an urgent service request and I am able to resolve the problem.”

Pinelo also serves as an instructor for Associated Builders and Contractors’ Southern California Chapter, teaching other tradespersons his skills and inspiring them with his passion for the craft. “I enjoy sharing my knowledge with the younger generation of craft professionals,” he says.

Mentorship is personal to Pinelo, who has already passed his skillset to his son. “I enjoy teaching him, as well as all the other apprentices at ABC, so they can also set goals for themselves and be successful in their careers,” he says.

Pinelo is an exemplar of the merit shop attitude. A lifelong learner, he discovered the electrical field while still in high school watching telephone technicians connect communication lines. “What really inspired me was knowing that I would be recognized as a professional tradesperson and able to work anywhere in the Unites States if I desired,” he says. The feeling of being recognized as an expert in his trade was “very rewarding,” he says, and prompted him to, eventually, gain a C-7 Low Voltage Contractors License, as well as his own business.

“I try to do everything from my heart,” Pinelo says. “And I want others to be successful as well.”

ERIC WAGAMAN
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES INSTRUCTOR
FRANKLIN COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

At 12 years old, Eric Wagaman put shingles on a roof for the first time. “I was amazed by how the older workers could put a bundle of shingles on a shoulder and climb a ladder to the roof,” he says.

Now, after 37 years in the industry and 18 as an educator, Wagaman says “the spark that was created by a sense of accomplishment burns like a fire in me to this day.”

There is no length he would not go to in order to inspire that same spark in his students—and it pays off. Wagaman’s class recently passed inspection on work completed for the Franklin County Nursing Training Center for Adult Education that has been under construction. Over the past five years, students have executed trench work, plumbing, framing in bathrooms and classrooms, gas hookups, ADA accessibility requirements, painting and more.

“This was a massive undertaking, but the experience achieved by the high school students was unmatched,” Wagaman says. That experience, as well as peace, pride and a sense of achievement are what bring Wagaman back day in and day out, regardless of the challenges.

“There is no better feeling than being able to say, ‘We built that!’” he says.

by Rachel E. Pelovitz

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