Larry Abernathy entered the U.S. Army after graduating from high school and received training in communications and electronics. He served in Korea, Germany, and three tours in Vietnam, where he was wounded twice. Larry was trained as an Army instructor and taught communications and electronics at the U.S. Army Southeastern Signal School at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He then served an IBEW apprenticeship and became licensed as a journeyman in 1976 and as a master in 1979. Larry was employed in construction, industrial, commercial, and residential work until becoming the Electrical Inspector for the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1986 with a promotion to Supervisor of Building Inspection in 1988. In 1995, he became employed by the Ford Motor Company and works in the Research and Engineering Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Larry has also taught National Electrical Code update classes.


Larry is married with three grown sons, one of whom is an IBEW journeyman electrician.

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."

Tarry has been the Chief Electrical Code Compliance Officer for the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals (Florida) for the last twelve years, standardizing enforcement in 30 municipalities and the unincorporated area of Broward County. He has served on the Electrical Technical Committee to the Board of Rules and Appeals for over ten years, and as an advisor to the committee for nine years. He has been a member of National Electrical Code (NEC) Code-Making Panel-13 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) since 2000 for the 2002 & 2005 NEC. He helped develop the NFPA & IAEI National Certified Residential Electrical Inspector and Master Electrical Inspector examinations. Tarry is currently a member of the Electrical/Alarms Technical Advisory Committee to the Florida Building Commission, and a former member of the Education, Disciple, and Licensing Work Group for the Governor's Building Code Study Commission for the State of Florida.

Tarry has been married to his wife Beckie for 34 years. They have twin daughters and two grandchildren.

Dennis Carlson started in the electrical trade in 1980 with Simmons Electric based in Greeley, Colorado and did residential and commercial work with them until 1985. He then went to work for Atkinson Electric based out of Ft. Collins, Colorado until 1987, also doing residential and commercial work.
Dennis has since worked on various industrial projects for TIC (The Industrial Company) as a journeyman, electrical foreman, and project coordinator. He is presently the Manager of the Electrical Craft Training Program for TIC.
Dennis instructs levels first, second, third, and fourth year trainees. With the use of Mike Holt’s NEC Exam Preparation book, he has had a success rate of 90 percent with his fourth year trainees on the Colorado State electrical exam.
Dennis lives in Steamboat Springs, with his wife Cindy. Their son Josh will be attending college in the Fall of 2008, studying for an engineering degree, and specializing in robotics. Their daughter is enrolled at CSU in Ft. Collins studying for a degree in Art.

Daniel Craft a high school dropout had little confidence in amounting to anything of value in society. He found himself with little discipline and even less education. Daniel soon found himself desperate for something, anything. As a hard worker he had no problem keeping jobs that required a strong back.
At the young age of 20, he was offered a job as an electrician’s helper, where he learned fast that if he was going to survive in this technical world, he would have to go back to school. But where would he start? Realizing the necessary sacrifice of laziness and ignorance, for a life of dedication and discipline, he began taking electrical courses at Los Angeles Trade Tech.
While working as an electrician’s helper he applied for an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 441 in Orange County, California. Over a year had passed from applying, before being accepted in the five year apprenticeship where he would complete structured electrical courses as well as extensive hands on training.
Daniel is now recognized by the IBEW and the state of California as being a Journeyman Electrician. He currently works as an Electrical Foreman for R.L. Douglass Electric, Inc. in Orange County, CA., and starting January 2008 will begin teaching continuing education courses at the Orange County Electrical Training Trust in Santa Ana, CA.
At the age of twenty-eight he has held fast, excelling in areas such as electrical construction and the National Electrical Code. He believes it’s crucial that one must maintain the position of a student if he/she is going to be successful, especially in the electrical industry.
Daniel has a passion for helping others achieve confidence to grow into the person that God meant them to be. Contrary to the “dropout’’ Daniel now lives his life putting God first, family second, and career a close third.

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.

Doug Douty has been a consultant in the electrical and building fields for many years. Doug’s vision is to help you maximize your talents and abilities and to provide solutions to difficult problems. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, and a 2006 winner of Mike Holt’s Top Gun presentation award.
Doug holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Technology from California State University, Fresno, and California State Contractor’s license in electrical general contracting. He is an instructor in the electronics department at Fresno City College, an Adjunct Professor at California State University, Fresno, and a nationally recognized speaker in the electrical industry.
Doug resides in Fresno in the Central Valley of California with his wife. He has four grown children and five grandchildren. Doug has a passion for helping people reach their full potential in life. He also enjoys cycling, running, reading, and continual learning as well as family vacations.
Doug’s motivational style of teaching captures his audience’s attention. At Doug’s seminars, students not only increase their knowledge, but their confidence as well. Seminar topics include Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E), the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), AC Fundamentals, AC Power Systems, Control Systems, Electrical Certification Preparation, and Continuing Education.

Wes Gerrans, upon obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Andrews University in 1965, began his career as an Industrial Arts instructor at Eau Claire Michigan High School. After teaching for four years, he worked in the construction trades for the next 23 years. In 1992 he completed an Electrical Technology course at Northwest Kansas Technical School. It was at this time that he first had contact with Mike Holt when he helped with the editing of one of Mike’s earlier books. He then worked for Archer Daniels Midland as an industrial electrician until 2002, when he went back to NWKTC, now a college, as an instructor in the electrical program.
Wes remains happily married to his wife of 43 years, Jacque, who continues to be a source of strength and encouragement. She retired from being a school psychologist this year and is now enjoying a more leisurely pace at home. Their children are both married. Their son, Neil, is a teacher in Seattle, WA; their daughter, Lisa, teaches in Lincoln, NE.
Other areas of interest for Wes have included a commercial fishing business in Alaska, rebuilding wrecked vehicles, and restoring antique furniture. He is an active leader and teacher in his church. He enjoys participating in community projects, has a passion for teaching, and for sharing the Good News of Jesus.

Scott Harding began his electrical career as an electrician’s helper working part time in the family business. After graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree from Clemson University, he worked as
an electrical engineer for RTKL Associates, a large design firm located in Baltimore, MD.
After leaving RTKL, Scott went to work at F.B. Harding, Inc. an Electrical Contractor located in Rockville, MD where he’s been for the last 22 years. He is a licensed Master Electrician in multiple jurisdictions and is the current President and CEO of F.B. Harding, Inc, making
the family business a third generation company. Scott also serves on NEC Code-Making Panel Number 5 (Grounding and Bonding) and worked on the 2005, 2008 and 2011 cycles.

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.

John Mills is an instructor for Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. and is a Certified Electrical Contractor, Certified Inspector, Plan Reviewer, and CBO. John started in the electrical trade in 1980 as a helper and attended an ABC Apprenticeship Program, then worked his way up to Master Electrician. John has been an instructor for 20 years, teaching master and journeyman exam preparation courses and Florida State certification courses.
John resides in Miami, Florida with his wife Corina and their four sons. John’s hobbies are working with wood and metal. He makes wooden bowls and furniture from trees that have been cut down. He enjoys making things for his children as well as fishing, family picnics, and vacations with his family.

Lynn started his career as an electrician in 1979, became a licensed Electrical Contractor in 1985, and owned and operated L & B Palmer Electric. He later went to work as an Electrical Inspector for the County of Sacramento. Lynn is a member of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, Sacramento Valley Chapter, where he also served as Chairman, and was a member of IBEW Local 340 Sacramento.

Lynn has taught a variety of apprenticeship, journeyman and Code training classes. Lynn currently teaches in the Building Inspection Technology Program at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. After working for the County of Sacramento for 10 years, he went to work for the State of California as a Construction Supervisor.

Lynn currently resides in Elk Grove, California, with his wife Brenda and two children, Christopher and Jennifer.

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.

James Thomas has been working in the electrical field since 1985 and is licensed in the State of North Carolina. He has worked in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical jobs. James has been
an instructor teaching electrical and electronic courses (including the National Electrical Code) full time at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC for over 16 years and has taught thousands
of individuals. He has taught at Pitt Community College in Greenville NC; Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC; and Sampson Community College in Clinton, NC.

James earned a diploma in Electrical Installation and Maintenance; a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Mount Olive College
in Mount Olive, NC; and a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology from East Carolina University in Greenville NC. James also served in the Air Force Reserve in Goldsboro NC for over 22 years.

John Travers completed the Joint NECA/IBEW Apprenticeship-Training program in 1977, after a tour of duty in the Air Force. He worked at various jobsites in the South Florida and Illinois areas until becom-
ing a contractor in 1984. He began his career as an inspector in 1985 serving Hialeah Gardens. In 1988, he added the Town of Medley to his responsibilities, and became a full-time Chief Electrical Inspector for
the City of Hialeah in 1990. He served in that position until 2005. He now serves as the Director of Community Development for Hialeah. His responsibilities include managing the Building, Zoning, Code
Compliance and Occupational License Divisions of the City of Hialeah.
He joined the IAEI in June of 1988 and was the project chairman for the 1996 Annual Meeting in Key West, Florida. He currently serves as the Treasurer and Director of Codes & Education for the Miami-
Dade Division. John oversees an aggressive Continuing Education program for the electrical industry in the South Florida area, where he is a certified Education Sponsor for electrical contractors, inspec-
tors, engineers and tradesmen. In 2003, he began teaching nationwide, assisting the I.C.C. with seminars in Denver and Salt Lake City.
John is a family man, who has been married to Barbara for over 35 years, with three children and seven grandchildren. His hobbies include fishing, diving, philately, golf and photography. He is a martial artist in GOJU Karate, where he received his third degree black
belt in 2006.

After Laura completed the Joint NECA/IBEW Apprenticeship-Training program in 1986, she worked as a journeyman electrician in new construction for 8 years. She was then hired by the California Department of Corrections to head the electrical maintenance department of Chino Men’s Prison, a position she has held for 13 years.
For the last two years she has been instructing inmates fulltime at the California Rehabilitation Center, Norco California in the basic safety and electrical skills needed to acquire a job once they are released.
At night her passion for the last ten years has been in teaching “Bonding and Grounding” to apprentices at the NECA/IBEW Apprenticeship School in her area.
Saturdays are filled with OSHA-10 certification classes that she teaches to apprentices and journeyman.
Laura has been married to her handsome husband Mike for 29 years. She and Mike share hobbies that include fly-fishing, backpacking and photography.

Kevin Vogel graduated from Santa Clara University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. A licensed Professional Engineer since 1969, he worked as Chief Engineer for a division of Square D Company that manufactured electric heaters and thermoplastic outlet boxes. He also was employed as an electrician and holds a Master Electrician’s license.
In 1978, Kevin co-founded an electrical wholesale distribution business that was acquired in 1991 by Crescent Electric Supply Company.
Kevin continues to work in that part of the industry, and is a certified instructor for National Electrical Code classes in the states of Idaho and Washington. He also serves as a consultant to Trindera Engineering, an electrical engineering firm located in Coeur d’Alene.
Kevin and his beloved wife Linda have been married since 1966, and have been blessed with 13 wonderful children and 20 (so far) grandchildren. Kevin is extremely grateful to God for all of the gifts He has
bestowed on him and his loved ones