NECA This Week

NTW 9/14: Honoring Buck Autrey, NSPC Speaker Search & More

Sep 15, 2026

NECA This Week Header

Industry News

Demand for Medical Office Construction Grows

As the U.S. population ages, healthcare is becoming more important than ever. This is likely to bring an economic windfall for electrical contractors that specialize in medical office space or desire to move into that sector.

IN MEMORIAM

Buck Autrey

Henry E. "Buck" Autrey

NECA is mourning the loss of H.E. "Buck" Autrey, Chairman Emeritus of Miller Electric Company and an Academy Fellow since 1973, who recently passed away at age 93. Autrey joined Miller Electric as an apprentice in 1950 and led the company as president for 45 years, growing it into one of the nation's premier electrical contractors. His influence extended to NECA as well, where he served as District Vice President and as National President from 1979 to 1983. He helped preserve the National Electrical Benefit Fund, co-founded ELECTRI International, received NECA's Comstock and McGraw awards, and served as Chairman of the Academy of Electrical Contracting. His NECA legacy spans three generations: son Ron Autrey is an Academy Fellow ('07), and grandson Henry Brown, now CEO of Miller Electric, is also an Academy Fellow ('21). NECA extends its condolences to the Autrey family and the entire Miller Electric team.

Read Miller Electric's Statement

NECA News

Speaker Search: 2027 NECA Safety Professionals Conference

NECA is seeking speakers for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference, May 24-26, 2027, in Verona, NY. Sessions run 75 minutes across six tracks, from NFPA 70E to Health & Well-Being to the Future of Safety. Detailed criteria, expectations and important dates can be found on proposal submission page below. Proposals are due October 23, 2026.

Submit Proposal

FMP vs. Traditional AC: Powering the AI Data Center

AI workloads are pushing data center power demand to record levels, with rack loads climbing toward 1MW and equipment lead times stretching past 100 weeks. Join this free webinar on Thursday, November 4 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET, for an updated comparison of Fault Managed Power and traditional AC distribution, including cost savings up to 33%, faster deployment, and fewer points of failure.

Find Your Firm's Next Growth Market

New ELECTRI International research identifies high-growth, low-competition markets where electrical contractors can expand before the industry catches on. The study ranks 10 priority markets against six commercial criteria and includes firsthand insights from contractors already succeeding in the top two. Each opportunity offers low competition, ready technology, and a clear path to profit within five years. Download the free report on ELECTRI.org.

More Information

NECA Welcomes Ring Power as Newest Ambassador Sponsor

NECA is pleased to announce the addition of Ring Power Utility | Truck | Crane as a new Ambassador Sponsor to the NECA Industry Alliance Network. Ring Power offers electrical contractors utility equipment, cranes, vocational trucks, trailers, and more, purpose-built for the job and backed by expert service, nationwide parts access, flexible rentals, and lifecycle support. "Many of our valued customers are already NECA members, and we look forward to connecting with them through the organization," said Andrew Kurz, VP of Sales at Ring Power. "We are equally excited to build new relationships, hear directly from contractors, and discover new ways to support the NECA community."

Explore Ring Power