(ST. LOUIS) – “I turned off my phone and began to pray,” noted North St. Louis resident Stephanie Wilkerson in an April 15, 2026, St. Louis Business Journal article recounting the catastrophic May 16, 2025, tornado. “It would be a partnership between the city, area electrical industry giants, and skilled trades unions — called ReConnect STL — that helped answer those prayers,” reported the business publication. Those actions earned IBEW Local 1 and St. Louis NECA contractors an “Innovation in Philanthropy Award” presented at gala event on April 16, 2026, hosted by the St. Louis Business Journal. Read the full St. Louis Business Journal story.

In a first-of-its-kind recovery initiative, IBEW/NECA collaborated with the city, suppliers and other agencies to restore power in tornado ravaged areas of North St. Louis. The team orchestrating community recovery initiative included Guarantee Electrical Co.; ArchKey Solutions; RJP Electric; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1; the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA); St. Louis Home Repair Network; Graybar; Ameren Missouri; and the City of St. Louis Tornado Recover Program.

The St. Louis Business Journal noted that “the storm killed five people and injured 38 more. It damaged or destroyed more than 5,000 homes and buildings — a more than $1 billion disaster.” Guarantee Electrical CEO Rich Ledbetter “dialed up the mayor and told her: ‘I don't know what you need, but when you need electrical help, we want to be there.’”

During a panel discussion at the Frontenac Hilton award ceremony, Ledbetter praised the restoration team including the NECA contractors engaged in ReConnect STL and the IBEW Local 1 which deployed its skills to help restore power.

But there were enormous challenges, clearing debris and internal damage to electrical infrastructure.

The St. Louis Business Journal noted “Fly-by-night contractors were exploiting vulnerable people. Others had lost important documents, and insurance providers denied claims, if they even had insurance. They needed professional help. The city couldn’t wait for federal aid to arrive. It had to act, and industry leaders answered the call.

Guarantee offered up $100,000 in services and materials free of charge to start. ArchKey Solutions, PayneCrest, GrayBar and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers made similar commitments.”

It was the second time in the last two years that the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership has been honored in the St. Louis Business Journal’s Innovation in Philanthropy Awards. In 2024, the partnership was saluted for its work with Rebuilding Together St. Louis. The awards honor local partnerships for going above and beyond standard philanthropic practices in new and creative ways. 

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