Cal-Tex Electricians Compete in National Championships
Four Cal-Tex Electric foremen qualified for the finals of the Ideal National Championship Competition in Orlando, Florida, in early December. Cal-Tex Electric Foremen Kohl Bailey, Ryan Vesely and Josh Karl were invited to Florida on an all-expense paid weekend to participate in the national competition, which highlights the skills of electricians from around the nation. The invitation was by Ideal Industries, the maker of specialty tools for use by the electrical industry and more specifically, hand tools made for electricians that allow them to work more efficiently. The competition was started to promote excellence in the field of electrical construction and bring families of competitors from around the nation together for a weekend of fun and competition. The event was held in Orlando at the Disneyland Resort.
The Cal-Tex Team placed third in the national qualifying rounds of the Ideal Challenge and ultimately earned the right to participate in the finals. They were one of only six teams in the finals and the Cal-Tex team finished close to the top (only the first place winner was announced). Kohl Bailey and Josh Karl also participated in the individual competition with Josh making it to the second round.
At various times across the different levels of competition, the judges looked at the following metrics:
- Box placement
- Conduit offsets
- Circuit breaker selection and installation
- Conductor installation
- Grounding & binding
- Device installation
- Proper torquing
- Overall workmanship
- Correct circuit operation
- Work area and safety
All judging was based on both speed and accuracy.
Joining the Team in Orlando were Cara Basset, the wife of Cal-Tex President and Owner Ronnie Bassett; Company Chief Operating Officer Mike Toepfer and his wife Michelle; Cal-Tex Office Manager and HR Director, Cathy Theis; and Greg and Vicky Kelcher representing Viking Electric. Greg was responsible for getting the Cal-Tex team involved in the competition in 2017.
“Overall it was a great experience for the Cal-Tex team and an IDEAL way to boost some Cal-Tex company camaraderie, promote teamwork and have a lot of fun,” said Mike Toepfer after the competition. “We also want to give a shout out and special thanks to Ideal Industries for doing such a great job promoting not only their products, but the ideas of teamwork and family throughout the entire weekend. Those ideas really resonated with our Cal-Tex team since they are part of the culture we’ve established at Cal-Tex.”
To learn more about our extraordinary electrical team, visit our Electric page.