Victor Ammons was born in North Carolina, but has lived primarily in New Jersey since the age of five. He spent his high school and college vacation times working in a small, family owned electrical contracting firm. Vic and his high school sweetheart, who were married after sophomore year, graduated from North Carolina State University. After four years in the Army, during which time their first child was born in Germany, Vic and Nancy alternated getting MBA degrees. They now have three children and two grandchildren.

After a number of years of running the family contracting business while his father's health declined, Vic trained and turned the business over to his brother-in-law. Vic then returned to the engineering field in which he had trained. Vic is now the Director of Electrical Engineering for The Prisco Group, a mid-sized Architectural/Engineering firm in central New Jersey.

Vic now resides in west central New Jersey in an area with a few dozen families among several hundred acres of woodlands. Yes, there are still woodlands in New Jersey; we haven't gotten around to paving over them all yet. Vic and Nancy, who celebrated their 35th anniversary in 2004, are avid square and round dancers, and are active in several clubs. Vic is also an amateur beekeeper. Both are active in several capacities in their church.

Steve Arne has been involved in the electrical industry since 1974 working in various positions from electrician to full time instructor and department chair in technical post secondary education. Steve has taught electrical topics including electrical code and apprenticeship training classes as well as university business classes. Steve has developed curriculum for many electrical training courses and has developed university business and leadership courses while working as a Curriculum Development Specialist. Currently, Steve offers occasional exam prep and continuing education code classes.

Steve has a bachelor's degree in technical education and a master's degree in administrative studies with a human resources emphasis. Licenses held by Steve include electrical master, electrical inspector, electrical contractor and real estate home inspector. Steve is a board member of the Black Hills Chapter of the SD Electrical Council and a member of the SD Real Estate Task Force on Home Inspection. Steve enjoys developing his own websites.

Steve and his lovely wife Deb have celebrated over 32 years of marriage in Rapid City, South Dakota where they are both active in their church and community. They have two grown children and 5 grandchildren. Their daughter Jolene is a registered nurse and their son Ryan works as an electrician and construction supervisor.

Steve states, "Every teacher understands the joy of helping others as they learn and experience new insights. My goal is to help others understand more of the technological marvels that surround us. I thank God for the wonders of His creation and for the opportunity to share it with others."

Mike Culbreath devoted his career to the electrical industry and worked his way up from an apprentice electrician to master electrician. While working as a journeyman electrician, he suffered a serious
on-the-job knee injury. With a keen interest in continuing education for electricians, he completed courses at Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. and then passed the exam to receive his Master Electrician’s license.
In 1986, after attending classes at Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc., he joined the staff to update material and later studied computer graphics and began illustrating Mike Holt’s textbooks and magazine articles. He’s worked with the company for over 25 years and, as Mike Holt has proudly acknowledged, has helped to transform his words and visions into lifelike graphics.

Mike Holt worked his way up through the electrical trade. He began as an apprentice electrician and became one of the most recognized experts in the world as it relates to electrical power installations. He has worked as a journeyman electrician, master electrician, and
electrical contractor. Mike’s experience in the real world gives him a unique understanding of how the NEC relates to electrical installations from a practical standpoint. You’ll find his writing style to be direct,
nontechnical, and useful.
Did you know that he didn’t finish high school? So if you struggled in high school or if you didn’t finish it at all, don’t let this get you down, you’re in good company. As a matter of fact, Mike Culbreath, Master Electrician, who produces the finest electrical graphics in the his-
tory of the electrical industry, didn’t finish high school either. So two high school dropouts produced the text and graphics in this textbook! However, realizing success depends on one’s continuing pursuit of
education. Mike immediately attained his GED (as did Mike Culbreath) and ultimately attended the University of Miami’s Graduate School for a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Mike Holt resides in Central Florida, is the father of seven children, and has many outside interests and activities. He’s a six-time National Barefoot Water-Ski Champion (1988, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, and
2008), has set many national records, has competed in three World Championships (2006, 2008, and 2010) and continues to train and work out year-round so that he can qualify to ski in the 2012 World Barefoot Championships at the age of 61!
What sets him apart from some, is his commitment to living a balanced lifestyle; placing God first, family, career, then self.

Ryan Jackson is a combination inspector in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. He began doing electrical work at the age of 18. At the age of 23 Ryan landed his first job as an electrical inspector, and subsequently
became certified in building, plumbing, and mechanical inspection (commercial and residential), as well as building and electrical plan review. Two years after becoming an inspector, he was approached by
a friend in the area asking him to fill in for him at an electrical seminar. After his first class he was hooked, and is now a highly sought-after seminar instructor. Ryan has taught in several states, and loves
helping people increase their understanding of the Code.
In 2005, Ryan met Mike Holt in Salt Lake City, and they became friends immediately. He helped Mike with his Understanding the NEC, Volume 2 videos and began editing his books as well. Ryan believes that there are only a small handful of opportunities that change a per-
son’s life and career, and meeting Mike was one of them.
Ryan can often be found in his garage turning wood on his lathe, and in the autumn you’ll find him at as many University of Utah football games as he can attend, which is typically all of them. Ryan married
his high school sweetheart, Sharie, and they have two beautiful children together: Kaitlynn and Aaron.

Jeff Larus started his electrical career by completing programs in Industrial Electronics and Electronics Technology at Western Dakota Vocational Technical School in Rapid City, South Dakota right after graduating from high school. Jeff completed his electrical apprenticeship and two years as a journeyman working in his father’s electrical contracting business. He tested for and received his South Dakota Electrical Inspector’s license as soon as he was eligible to test.
Since 1990, Jeff has worked for the City of Rapid City as an Electrical Inspector. As a combination inspector for the city, Jeff does primarily electrical and mechanical inspections. Over the years, he has acquired many certifications in all aspects of building inspection and plan review. He holds licenses from the State of South Dakota and the City of Rapid City as well as certifications from the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and the International Code Council.
Jeff teaches electrical continuing education classes for Western Dakota Tech and local electrical trade groups. He has volunteered with the Pennington County Search and Rescue Team for the past 19 years.
Jeff and his wife Kae of 11 years live in Rapid City, South Dakota where they have two children Jessy and Tabitha in grade school. Jeff and Kae have been active in Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Black Hills and the Casey Family Foster Care Program.

Michael Pillarella holds a Master’s degree in Education. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts and an Associates degree in Electric and Electronics Engineering Technology.
Mike established his own proprietary school opening the Pillarella School of Electrical Code & Theory in 2007. His proudest moment as an instructor was when his son, Tim, earned his Master’s license. Tim
was the first to receive his license as an attendee of the school.

In 1988, Mike established and became the President of E.M.I. Electrical Contractors, Inc. providing over 20 years of service to the South Coast area. He put this education to good use by becoming a
Certified Electrical Related/Shop Instructor, and the Outside Electrical Projects Manager within the Massachusetts Public School System.

Mike is also a licensed Master Electrician in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine and an approved continuing education provider in those states. He’s also approved to
teach OSHA Outreach Construction Courses. He is President of the Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association Bristol Chapter and First Vice President and Education Chairman of the International
Association of Electrical Inspectors Roger Williams Chapter

Phil Simmons is self-employed as Simmons Electrical Services. Services include consulting on the National Electrical Code and other Codes, writing, editing, illustrating and producing technical publications and inspection of complex electrical installations. He develops training programs related to electrical codes and safety and has been a presenter at numerous seminars and conferences. Phil also provides plan review of electrical construction documents.
Phil began his electrical career in a light-industrial plant. He is licensed as a master electrician and was owner and manager of Simmons Electric Inc., an electrical contracting company.
Phil previously served as Chief Electrical Inspector for the State of Washington from 1984 to 1990. He also served as Executive Director for the International Association of Electrical Inspectors as Executive Director and as Education, Codes and Standards Coordinator. He was International President in 1987. He also served as Editor of IAEI News and updated the Electrical Inspection Certification Study Guides as well as the Neon Installations Manual.
He served Underwriters Laboratories, as a Corporate Member and on the Electrical Council and on the UL Board of Directors. Phil presently serves NFPA on Code Making Panel-5 of the National Electrical Code Committee. He previously served on the NEC CMP-1, as Chair of CMP-19 and member of CMP-17. He served six years on the NFPA Standards Council, as NFPA Electrical Section President and on the NEC Technical Correlating Committee.

Eric started in the Electrical field by working as a journeyman electrician for a small contractor in the Houston area while going to college pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, in 1982,
Eric worked as an electronic technician where he installed and maintained life safety control systems in high rise buildings. In 1989, Eric went to work for Dow Chemical where he designed power distribution
systems for major industrial complexes in the U.S., Spain, Brazil, and Germany. Eric was very involved in both creating Electrical standards and procedures as well as checking existing standards and proce-
dures for alignment with national standards.

He also worked as a Construction Manager where he ensured Code compliancy of installations as well as provided field engineering support. Eric currently has his own business and spends a good deal of
time teaching classes in both the National Electrical Code and electrical circuits. He is also a member of the Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board for the State of Texas.

Eric lives in Lake Jackson, Texas, with his wife Jane. They have three children: Ainsley, Austin, and Brieanna. Ainsley is a teacher in Boston who will be getting married in the summer of 2011. Austin will be enlisting in the Air Force, and Brieanna will be starting college in the
Fall of 2010.