Video Team for 2005 Master/Contractor Comprehensive Library DVDs

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

I was born in Leesburg, Fl in 1973 and have resided in the area ever since. Throughout my child hood I was always fascinated with the way things worked, especially electricity. I graduated Leesburg High School in 1991 and proceeded into adult hood. I got my first official introduction to Electrical theory in the military learning Electronics repair. I worked in electronics repair for a short while before turning to industrial maintenance in 1994. I performed various electro-mechanical upgrades and modifications as well as much needed code compliance upgrades. I left maintenance to pursue my long sought after electrical career. I began working for Electric Services Inc. in 1998. I, from the beginning, was fascinated at the diversity of the trade and sought after knowing as much about the trade as possible. I earned my Master certificate of competency in 2000.

I have had the opportunity to perform such tasks as motor controls, design building, estimating, project management, security installations, access control systems with video integration, voice and data installations including fiber with the use of media converters, grounding and bonding projects, and fire alarm systems. Currently I am still employed with Electric Services, Inc. and I'm coordinating the ESI learning center and instructing on the topics of "Understanding the NEC" and "Exam Preparation". I am married and have three wonderful children. The part of my life not devoted to them is devoted to the electrical industry. My hobbies are computers and electronics. The ever-changing technology keeps me experimenting. I have lived my life with the belief that education is the suppression of ignorance with the constant application of knowledge. I have adhered to a life filled with the pursuit of knowledge.

Steve Arne has worked as an electrician, electrical contractor, and electrical instructor for 40 years. Nineteen years of his career were spent as a teacher and department head in post-secondary education. Since Steve retired from Western Dakota Tech in 2003, he has provided industry-direct training specializing in continuing education Electrical Code classes and Electrician Exam Preparation classes for Journeyman and Master's level exams.

In 2012, Steve and Deb's son Ryan returned to Rapid City South Dakota to help Steve expand his training business at AETech Electrical Training Center to include a 640 hour full-time pre-employment Apprentice Electrician Training Program. Steve is currently a Board Member of the SD Electrical Commission and serves on the State and Local Chapter Boards of the SD Electrical Council.

Steve worked with Mike Holt as a technical editor and video team participant beginning in 2002, and uses Mike’s books in his classes. He is very thankful to have been associated with an industry leader like Mike who has a real heart to help others and provides excellent training products to help students in the electrical industry.

Steve and his wife Deb live in Rapid City, South Dakota where they’re both active in their church and community, and love to spend time with their children and grandchildren. The highest priority for both of them is putting God first in both their home and business.

Dennis Carlson has been in the electrical trade for over 35 years, and has held the positions of Project Superintendent, Field Engineer, Start-up-Coordinator, General Fore¬man, Foreman, Journeyman, and Craft Training Manager. He’s certi¬fied with NCCER as a Master Trainer, and is a professor for Victoria University, Australia as a Master Trainer. In April 2013, he graduated from Salem International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Dennis is a Master Electrician/Contractor licensed in several states, and a member of the NFPA and IAEI. He’s trained thousands of elec¬tricians in the last 25 years using Mike Holt’s material and has been working with Mike for the last 16 years on his Exam Prep courses.

Dennis and his wife, Cindy, live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they’re both active in enjoying God’s great outdoors, their church, and the community. They have two children, Brandy, a graphics arts designer who lives in Greeley Colorado, and Josh who is an electrical estimator in Denver Colorado. “Life is too short to do only one thing so you have to prepare yourself for the next challenge. Never stop learning and striving to achieve those goals that you have.”

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 where he’s been for the last 37 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, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2026 cycles. He served as the Chairman CMP 5 for the 2023 and 2026 cycles.

Scott lives in Maryland and is married with two kids

Ryan Jackson is a combination inspector in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area who began his career as a carpenter while in high school. He began doing electrical work when he was 18 and, 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 at an electrical seminar for him. After his first class Ryan was hooked, and is now a highly sought after seminar instructor. He 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. He believes that there are only a small handful of opportunities that change a person’s life and career, and meeting Mike was one of them.

When Ryan isn’t working, he can often be found in his garage turning wood on his lathe, or in the kitchen where he enjoys wine making. Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Sharie, and they have two beautiful children together: Kaitlynn and Aaron.

James E. Jones Jr. is an Instructor at Oklahoma State University. He teaches High Voltage Lineman and Electrical Construction courses at the OSU technical campus in Okmulgee, OK. James has been in the electrical construction/maintenance industry since 1979 when he joined the U.S. Air Force right after graduating from high school.

During his 21-year Air Force career James worked as a high voltage lineman, electrical instructor, and electrician. Going to school at night and on weekends, he received a Baccalaureate of Science Degree, with Honors, in Occupational Education, with specialization in Corporate Training Development, Electrical Power Systems, and Computer Business Information Systems. James is a licensed Master Electrician/Contractor and teaches several electrical, computer, and NEC courses. He previously served as the Director of Education & Training/Instructor for Mills Electrical Contractors in Dallas, TX.

James is on the Electrical Advisory Board for several electrical training programs throughout the state of Oklahoma. “Opportunity is waiting for whoever is ready to take advantage of it.”

John Mills is an instructor for Mike Holt Enterprises and is a Certified Electrical Contractor, Certified Inspector, Plans Reviewer, and CBO, and currently holds 27 active licenses at the county, state and national level. He 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 30 years, teaching master and journeyman exam preparation courses and Florida State certification courses. John knows that taking an exam is more than just the technical questions—he not only teaches the technical aspects of taking the exam and how to approach each section in a systematic way, but also teaches his students how to really prepare 100% for the mental aspects of taking such a rigorous exam. 

John was born in Westport, Connecticut and has been living in Miami Springs, Florida for the last 40 years. He resides in Miami, Florida with his wife Corina and their four sons. He loves to spend time woodworking, fishing and building cool bikes with his boys. John enjoys spending quality time on family picnics and vacations with his family

Merle D. Rogers was an Organizer for Local 11 for three years and Local 47 for one year. He earned a California Electrical Inspection certificate through the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and worked for Kaiser Svervdrup Engineering as a Motor Control and Instrumentation Inspector.

Merle began teaching with the Los Angeles IBEW/NECA Training Trust and taught Process Instrumentation and Control for three years, and apprenticeship for one year. He helped begin an Instrumentation Program at the San Bernardino Training Trust. He became a full-time teacher at Los Angeles Trade Technical College three years ago and was recently certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as an OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer. He has created the curriculum for several new courses now taught at LATTC.

“Professor Rogers” appeared on the Discovery Channel’s, the Monster House television program, and was an expert witness on hand tools in one of the largest lawsuits involving hand tools in many years (In Re: Leatherman Tool Company).

Eric Stromberg has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and is a professional engineer. He started in the electrical industry when he was a teenager helping the neighborhood electrician. After high school, and a year of college, Eric worked for a couple of different audio companies, installing sound systems in a variety of locations from small buildings to baseball stadiums. After returning to college he worked as a journeyman wireman for an electrical contractor.

After graduating from the University of Houston, Eric took a job as an electronic technician and installed and serviced life safety systems in high-rise buildings. After seven years he went to work for Dow Chemical as a power distribution engineer. His work with audio systems had made him very sensitive to grounding issues and he took this experience with him into power distribution. Because of this expertise, Eric became one of Dow’s grounding subject matter experts. This is also how Eric met Mike Holt, as Mike was looking for grounding experts for his 2002 Grounding vs. Bonding video.

Eric taught the National Electrical Code for professional engineering exam preparation for over 20 years, and has held continuing education teacher certificates for the states of Texas and New Mexico. He was on the electrical licensing and advisory board for the State of Texas, as well as on their electrician licensing exam board. Eric now consults for a Department of Energy research laboratory in New Mexico, where he’s responsible for the electrical standards as well as assisting the laboratory’s AHJ.

Eric’s oldest daughter lives with her husband in Zurich, Switzerland, where she teaches for an international school. His son served in the Air Force, has a degree in Aviation logistics, and is a pilot and owner of an aerial photography business. His youngest daughter is a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles.

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.

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

Chuck Williams resides in Hauser, Idaho with his wife of 33 years. After serving with the U.S. Navy, he worked as a civilian on U.S. Navy aircraft and associated systems for 17 years before relocating to Idaho. He entered the Electrical Apprenticeship program in 1991 at the age of 41. He has worked in Idaho and Washington as a journeyman electrician and electrical administrator, as well as an electrical contractor.

He is in his seventh year as an electrical apprenticeship instructor at the Workforce Training Center, North Idaho College, and also teaches several courses in continuing education for electricians and contractors, including tutoring and electrical exam preparation.

To help fill a shortage of instructors, Chuck began teaching electrical students and instantly fell in love with this aspect of his vocation. He considers the rewards of teaching the most significant experience of his life. “We all contribute to our industry in different ways. Teaching is only one of the many opportunities afforded electricians, as ours is a trade that is constantly evolving and moving forward to utilize new technologies, methods, and equipment. To help others see the opportunities available is a joy and I will never tire of it.”

Electrical Codes & Standards Specialist / Eaton Corporation
Chicago, Illinois

David Williams started his electrical career as an apprentice at US Steel in 1974. He began inspecting for the State of Michigan from 1988 to 1994 when he went to inspect for Delta Township. David is an electrical inspector in Delta Township, Lansing, Michigan. He is an instructor and Adjunct Professor at Lansing Community College in the Electrical Technology Program since 1995.

David is a Licensed Master Electrician, Registered Electrical Inspector and Plan Examiner with the State of Michigan. He holds a Certified Electrical Inspector – Master, Electrical Inspector General and Electrical Inspector 1-2 Family through the IAEI, Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry.

He has served on the National Electrical Code Technical Committees since 2007. He currently is on the NEC Correlating Committee and CMP-10 for the 2020, 2023 and 2026 code cycles. He Chaired CMP-7 for the 2017 code and served three cycles on CMP-5 covering Grounding and Bonding for the 2008, 2011 and 2014 code cycles.

David has served on UL Standards Technical Panels and continues to serve on the UL Electrical Council since 2010.

He is the Chapter Secretary of the Michigan Chapter IAEI, he is past president of the Michigan Chapter and Western Section IAEI. David served on the IAEI board of directors for 15 years including two years as the Chairman of the Board for 2022-2023. He continues to serve on the IAEI Codes and Standards Committee. Served on the Executive Board of the NFPA Electrical Inspectors Section from 2018 to 2025.

David’s first Mike Holt video was in 2004 on the UNEC V-2 for the 2005 Code.

David and his wife Marie reside in Delta Township and have two children Christina and Aaron and a grandson Hudson David. He enjoys pickleball, golfing, camping, spending time at the family cottage and traveling the country and the world.