Chuck Fairchild is NECA’s first vice president of integrated systems. He represents the interests of low-voltage contractor members across the nation.
NECA’s executive leadership recognized the need to further embrace this growing segment of the electrical industry and formed the Technology Systems Integration Task Force with contractor representatives from each NECA district. Fairchild’s two-year term started in January 2023.
The task force meets regularly to advance the issues important to integrated systems contractors. Fairchild said that the support from NECA leadership, the Executive Committee and all NECA staff has been overwhelmingly positive and intentional about growing this segment of the membership and services value proposition to those members.
“I am energized and excited to lead the charge to growth and success within NECA and our labor partners, too,” he said.
What’s your background?
40-plus years in the systems integration business, starting as an AV equipment repair technician. After that, I was an install helper, installer, lead technician, project manager, designer, sales[man] and founder/president of Fairchild Communication Systems Inc. in 2001. [I’ve been an] IBEW journeyman installer technician since 1985, a BICSI RCDD [Registered Communications Distribution Designer] since 2001, and AVIXA CTS-D&I since 2018. I’ve been active with NECA chapters in multiple roles and committees, including JATC and CBA negotiating.
How did you get into low-voltage work?
I entered high school with an interest in electronics. My school offered vocational electronics classes and a work-study program that provided opportunities for me to start working in the low-voltage business immediately following graduation.
I knew this was my passion. I had the opportunity to work subordinate to admired mentors and small business owners, first as a component-level repair technician and later for a sound and video installation contractor, before starting my business in 2001.
How do you share that experience with other contractors?
[I share it] most often with the simple value proposition of being a trusted vendor partner or subcontractor to electrical contractors on projects in our area. [It] continues with active participation with our local NECA chapters, and for the next few years with NECA National as vice president of integrated systems, representing members who are systems-only contractors and electrical contractors that have an interest in self-performing the systems work.
“One of my first specialties as an AV repair technician was 16 mm projectors. I was very good at it, but observed that the technician on the next bench over was working on VCRs and video projectors, prompting me to learn something new. The last 40 years have been similar cycles of anticipating obsolescence, adapting and learning
new technology to stay relevant.”
How has the low-voltage industry changed since you started?
Technology has changed the way we design, estimate, sell, manage, install, track, test and commission construction work. The low-voltage portion of the work has increased significantly in Divisions 27 and 28. One of my first specialties as an AV repair technician was 16 mm projectors. I was very good at it, but observed that the technician on the next bench over was working on VCRs and video projectors, prompting me to learn something new. The last 40 years have been similar cycles of anticipating obsolescence, adapting and learning new technology to stay relevant.
Where is it headed?
My prediction is that the next decade will bring an even faster pace of change than we have embraced in the past, particularly with Divisions 27 and 28. More instances of operating power to the edge appliances on PoE [power over ethernet] and fault-managed power (also known as digital electricity). Accelerated growth of low-voltage markets, increased demand for higher competency and skills, and perhaps regulation and licensing [will also be concerns].
What do you see as the biggest low-voltage opportunities?
The variety and instances of wireless system deployments are always increasing. In addition to installation and commissioning, wireless systems still require copper and fiber infrastructure. There are growing opportunities to integrate the various low-voltage systems together for automation and other benefits. Building owners often seek “master integrators” who are knowledgeable with multiple systems to deploy and maintain these integrated systems. And, of course, to continue having fun with new and interesting technologies in a growing market!
Any advice for contractors looking to get into low-voltage work or expanding their offerings?
Electrical contractors have many good options to consider relevant to low-voltage work for their customers, such as partnering and subcontracting for the systems that do not make sense to self-perform. There are systems such as structured cabling that are easy points of entry, given the products are available from the same electrical distributors they likely already use, and the JATCs typically do a good job of training technicians for this category of work. And at the other end of the spectrum are the systems associated with proprietary manufacturers with exclusive authorized territory, partner agreements, volume commitment and specialized factory training not available from the JATCs, making this a much larger commitment, investment and longer timeline for a return on investment.
How can the organizations work together to benefit each other?
Many NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers have partnered with BICSI for training and certifications for copper and fiber structured cabling systems. I would like to see this continue, and further, collaborate on other evolving trends in the technology space to raise the bar on skills, competencies and outcomes for both NECA and BICSI members, and the customers they serve.
Header IMAGE BY FABRIKASIMF ON FREEPIK / stock.adobe.com / sveta
