On October 11, 1968 in Philadelphia, NECA’s Board of Governors authorized the establishment of the Academy of Electrical Contracting to recognize those individuals who have, through their leadership and exceptional service to the electrical contracting industry. In addition, the Academy preserves and utilizes the wealth of experience and knowledge of its members for the benefit of the industry.
Counted among this august assemblage are leaders from across the entire breadth of the industry who have made outstanding contributions of their time and talents in the advancement of their colleagues and constituents so as to have earned the title of Academy Fellow. For these individuals, service and stewardship is continued and enhanced through their fellowship in the Academy. This is accomplished through the Academy’s Working Group, special papers presented by Fellows, participation in the Annual Meeting.
This year, following a two-year selection process, the members of the Academy voted to welcome Harry J. Sassaman into this exclusive society as a Fellow--one of the highest honors bestowed upon an individual in our field.
As the President of Forest Electric, Inc. and active member of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of NECA, Harry has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the industry. Since 1977, Harry has been an active member in NECA at the local and national levels, serving the Northern New Jersey Chapter and the state electrical construction and VDV industries by serving in a variety of official capacities including Director, Division Chairman, Taft-Hartley Fund Trustee, and is now completing his second tour through the executive committee. He has also served the industry since 1999 as an active member of NECA’s national Codes and Standards Committee.
The Northern New Jersey Chapter has been well represented by the members who have been inducted into this distinguished fellowship. In October 2020, Harry will join the esteemed roster of chapter members, who through their exemplary service to the industry achieved the recognition of being placed by their peers among this pantheon of NECA leaders:
| Name | Company | Year of Induction |
| Harry J. Sassaman | Forest Electric Corp. | 2020 |
| Thomas J. Demcsak | Scholes Electric & Communications | 2012 |
| Murray J. Golub | Modern Electric Co. | 1998 |
| Watson B. Smith | Nordling Dean Electric Company, Inc. | 1990 |
| Peter V. Cheche | S.M. Electric Company, Inc. | 1987 |
| Stanley M. Richman | Lightning Electric, Inc. | 1987 |
| Robert J. Bauer | Electrical Installation, Inc. (Eii) | 1979 |
| Allan M. Shapiro | Allan Electric Company | 1977 |
| Jules H. Friedland | Lightning Electric, Inc. | 1974 |
To learn more about the Academy, please click here.