ST. LOUIS — For the first time ever, the Saint Louis Science Center is drawing from the ranks of labor to serve its board of trustees. The newest board member is Frank D. Jacobs, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One.

A native St. Louisan, Jacobs leads an organization which has produced more highly skilled and safe electricians and communication technicians than any other entity in the state of Missouri. He represents 7,000 IBEW members, including an active workforce of 5,000 and 2,000 retirees. His members perform all types of electrical work for residential, commercial and industrial markets. As chairman of the IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund, he oversees a more than 70-year commitment to training the workforce of the future at the IBEW/NECA St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center.

“Frank Jacobs brings the perspective of organizations which for decades have been training and supplying the workforce needed to install the critical infrastructure supporting advances in science and technology,” said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of the Science Center.

Jacobs currently chairs the Electrical Connection, a partnership of IBEW Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The Electrical Connection partnership was recently honored by the Science Center for sponsoring the lighting of the iconic James S. McDonnell Planetarium. The Electrical Connection is also a leading sponsor of the Science Center’s efforts to promote STEM and robotics education.

Jacobs has served the St. Louis County Athletic Association as its president and is currently on the board of the Ballwin Athletic Association.

The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. It is one of the top 15 science centers worldwide and was named one of the “Top 10 Science Centers for Families” by Parents magazine. The Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX┬« Theater, Boeing Hall and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. For more information, visit www.electricalconnection.org.