NECA

Ben W. Nevers

Nevers became a journeymen wireman member of IBEW Local 1077 in 1969 and ultimately served as the union’s business manager before opening Nevers Electric in his hometown, Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1980. His firm joined NECA’s South Louisiana Chapter the next year and he became active in association affairs. At the same time, Ben Nevers was active on the civic front. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1999 and in 2003 to the Louisiana Senate, where he is currently serving his second term.

His position as chairman of the Louisiana Senate Education Committee has enabled Mr. Nevers to pursue his life-long interest in improving educational opportunities, especially those related to vocational education, for Louisiana citizens. His dedication led to his introduction and championing of what became Louisiana Act 472 of 2007, thought to be the first such ordinance of its kind in the nation.

This Act authorized a procedure for granting apprenticeship tax credits against the income and corporation franchise taxes of qualified employers who employ registered apprentices. Mr. Nevers rightfully perceived that providing this tax credit would encourage employers to hire and train individuals, either through an existing registered program such as the seven NECA/IBEW programs in Louisiana or through an independent program registered with the state, thus increasing the pool of qualified craftsmen. This perception has been borne out as enrollment has grown in every NECA/IBEW electrical training program in the state.

For his role in helping level the playing field for organized construction in his right-to-work state and for hismany other contributions advancing the electrical contracting industry, Ben W. Nevers, Sr. has duly earned the Coggeshall Award.