Bill Fowler, Southwire’s Manager of Business Development and eMobility Infrastructure Solutions, was recently elected to serve on the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Board of Directors.
The IEC association represents over 4,100 merit shop-based contractor members and trains over 17,000 apprentices each year to become electricians. Merit shop electrical contractors perform two-thirds of all electrical work in the industry each year. The IEC National Board of Directors manages all aspects of the IEC, determines policies and approves budgets and financial activities.
“Bill has been an innovator and a consistent contributor to the growth and development of all our programs,” said LaNa Al-Amin, Executive Director, IEC Foundation. “His forward-thinking ideas and unwavering commitment have elevated the impact of the IEC in countless ways. He played an essential role in guiding us through our transition and expansion of the equipment grant programs, ensuring their success and sustainability. Bill’s ability to connect with others and his dedication to our mission have left a lasting impact on the IEC, the electrical industry and the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for his service.”
In 2021, Fowler received the IEC industry achievement award for his innovations to the industry and organization for more than 30 years. He also received this honor again in 2023 for creating and implementing a basic electrical certification class at 12 for Life and modeling it to be done throughout the country by the IEC at the high school level to help introduce students to the electrical industry and guide them towards an electrical career.
“As a newly appointed member of the IEC Board of Directors, Bill has an incredible opportunity to share his deep understanding of solving contractor pain points in many of today’s critical installations,” said Marc Hall, Southwire’s vice president of renewable technologies. “We’re seeing technology change and demand for power occurs at a rate much faster than any other industry cycle in our markets, and Bill brings the experience and strategic vision to help IEC’s members prepare for and navigate continued disruption and change.”
This year, the IEC made a change to the Board of Directors and decided to bring in outside views on where the industry is going when it comes to wire and cable, digital power, EV, distribution and hand tools. To do this, the Board of Directors made a bylaw change so that the Board would now include two additional individuals who are not members of the association of electrical companies.
Out of all the manufacturers and distributors the IEC works closely with, Fowler was one of the two individuals selected to serve on the Board. The other individual selected to serve alongside him is from Milwaukee Tools.
“Bill brings a forward-looking perspective that will help position IEC’s members at the cutting edge of emerging technologies highlighting the critical importance of proactive market adaptation in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape,” said Richard Oglesby, Southwire’s senior vice president of OEM and industrial.
With this new position on the IEC Board of Directors, Fowler will help lead the IEC apprenticeship program and curriculum, help to push newer technologies faster and work to grasp new innovations alongside his peers.
“It has been a true pleasure to serve alongside Bill and get to know him. I am proud to call him both an IEC Foundation Trustee and a friend,” said Tom Alexander, Chairman, IEC Foundation. “Bill truly has a heart for service—whenever you call upon him, he gives his all to help others. His knowledge, skills and unwavering dedication have been invaluable assets to the IEC. Bill is an exemplary leader and a shining example of what it means to give back to the future of the electrical industry and the communities we are privileged to serve.”
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