This spring, Boone Electric had the privilege of playing a meaningful role at the SkillsUSA Washington State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC), held April 16–18 at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. Our team didn't just show up to watch — we helped plan and judge the Electrical Construction competition, and it was an experience worth sharing.
Leading the charge for Boone Electric was instructor Dave Pinch along with journey-level electricians Dean Mensonides and Santiago Contreras who served as primary organizers, ensuring everything ran smoothly at the event. Aaron Webb, Jordan Eyelander and Matt Tyler also stepped up to assist on competition day, helping as judges.
The Electrical Construction Wiring competition challenges students to demonstrate real-world skills: reading drawings and spec sheets, bending conduit, installing wiring systems, and applying their knowledge of the National Electrical Code. These aren't abstract exercises — they're the same fundamentals our own PEAC (Performance Electrical Apprenticeship Committee) apprentices work with every day. Seeing students tackle them with such enthusiasm and professionalism was a reminder of why events like this matter.
SkillsUSA exists to bridge the gap between the classroom and the jobsite, and we're proud to be part of that mission. The students competing at SLSC aren't just future workers — they're future apprentices, future journeymen, and future leaders in the trades. Getting to support that journey, even in a small way, is something we don't take lightly.
A big thank you to SkillsUSA Washington for organizing such an incredible event, to Clover Park Technical College for hosting, and to Dean, Santiago, Dave, Aaron, Jordan, and Matt for representing Boone Electric with the kind of dedication and enthusiasm that defines our team.