Cardinal Electric is gearing up for the 17th annual ECIC, 16th appearance in competition

The student chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) at Iowa State University is excited to be competing in the 17th annual NECA Student Competition, now known as the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) hosted by ELECTRI International and NECA.

Iowa State has participated in this competition since 2009, engaging with electrical contractors and gaining real-world experiences in project planning and execution. This year, the students competing act as electrical contractors. They worked together to complete a construction cost estimate, construction schedule, cut sheets and datasheets, an estimated lifecycle cost analysis, and a proposed plan for a net zero building.

The Iowa State team, Cardinal Electric, is comprised of six students from the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) Department. The team has been working on this proposal all semester, utilizing each part of the team’s strength and collaborating with NECA contractors and affiliates. After submitting the proposal on May 7, it will be judged by a panel of electrical industry professionals across the United States. The top three teams will present their proposals at the 2025 NECA National Convention in Chicago this September.

Renee Clemensen, senior in construction engineering, is in her second year on the team,

“Being a part of ECIC has been tremendously helpful in improving my technical and professional communication skills. It is so interesting to be able to step into the shoes of an electrical contractor and work through the design and estimating process for an entire project,” Clemensen said.

Cardinal Electric is supported by Jenny Baker, teaching professor in construction engineering, and the team is sponsored by the Iowa Chapter NECA. The 2025 team includes Renee Clemensen, Broc Dollerschell, Lucas Gardner, William Oelmann, Molly Oelmann, and Russell (RJ) Thielsen.

“This year’s Iowa State ECIC team has been a joy to work with. They worked well together and played off each other’s strengths,” Baker said, “I love seeing the students apply what they learn about electrical systems and project management—and to get to see them continue to grow and learn new things reinforces the value of student competitions like this.”