(L to R Rafael Burgos Eva Schauffler Mike Tilden Neil Norris Kaycee King Tali Kavapalu Steve Ramirez Frank Smith)
Vacaville, CA – The IBEW 1245 Veterans Committee convened at the union hall in Vacaville on July 22nd for its Quarter 3 In-Person meeting. Although the group was smaller than usual due to travel and other obligations, those in attendance made the most of the opportunity, working through a full agenda focused on Veteran employment, community outreach, leadership development and the Committee’s ever-growing calendar of events.
The meeting opened with a safety discussion, a moment of silence honoring fallen members of the Armed Forces and the IBEW, and a roundtable conversation about the lessons members have carried forward from their military service or affiliation.
__________________________________
IBEW 1245 Veterans: If you are a current or retired IBEW 1245 member who served in the military, we want to connect with you!
👉 Please Complete this form!
__________________________________
The Committee also celebrated three examples of members continuing to serve our union and demonstrate the leadership qualities associated with Veterans in new ways. Committee Co-Chair Kaycee King and Committee Sergeant-at-Arms Eva Schauffler were recently appointed as IBEW 1245 Shop Stewards, while Committee Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Ramirez accepted an opportunity to serve as an IBEW 1245 Business Representative.
A major portion of the morning was dedicated to discussions surrounding helping Veterans successfully transition into the civilian workforce. Guest speakers Dennis Rojas and Shawn Hansen from the Employment Development Department joined the Committee to discuss Veteran workforce-development resources and opportunities for collaboration. The conversation emphasized the importance of creating reliable connections between Veterans, available support services, and genuine career opportunities.
The Committee then received an update on preliminary discussions regarding a potential VEEP Utility Pathway. VEEP, the Veterans Electrical Entry Program, currently provides pre-apprenticeship pathways into portions of the electrical industry. The concept under exploration would expand that model to help prepare Veterans for additional IBEW-represented utility careers.
An initial exploratory meeting was held on July 15th with IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean, IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong, representatives from the IBEW International Office and VEEP leadership.
The proposed utility pathway remains in the very early stages of development. Committee members discussed the potential value of standardized pre-apprenticeship training, a possible visit to Midwest Line College and the need for input from apprenticeship programs and participating utilities. Significant questions including occupational scope, candidate eligibility, screening, curriculum, employment status, contractual protections, funding, and post-training placement must still be addressed before any pilot could move forward. Nevertheless, the concept represents an exciting opportunity for the Veterans Committee to continue positively affecting the lives of servicemembers and Veterans.
Related conversations included updates to PG&E Power Pathways, SkillBridge and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as additional ideas for career pathways at other IBEW 1245-represented properties.
Brother Ramirez also reported on three Veteran-related measures approved by the IBEW 1245 Executive Board. Those measures provide one year of Local 1245 dues for five VEEP graduates, support pursuing broader IBEW recognition of the VIPER Transitions program, and support proposed constitutional language establishing district-level Veterans Coordinators across the IBEW.
After lunch and a Committee group photo, members turned their attention to the events and outreach opportunities ahead.
The Committee is preparing to participate in upcoming Transition Assistance Program Classes and Employer Spotlight events aboard Travis Air Force Base on August 17th, September 14th, and September 28th. These events provide an opportunity to meet transitioning service members where they are and introduce them to union careers throughout IBEW 1245’s jurisdiction.
Additional planning updates included the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down, scheduled for August 20th through 22nd, and the California Capital Airshow on October 10th and 11th. The Committee discussed how lessons learned during the Wings Over Solano Airshow can help strengthen our booth, outreach materials, volunteer staffing and follow-up efforts at future events.
Planning also continued for the upcoming 2026 IBEW 1245 Veterans Gala on November 14th, 2026. Committee Co-Chair Kaycee King and the Gala Subcommittee provided updates on the event’s program, sponsorships, budget, recognition opportunities, guest speakers, and remaining assignments.
Other topics included ongoing development of the IBEW 1245 Veterans Field Manual, Committee business cards, new branch-specific apparel, hardhat stickers, a Veterans challenge coin, future community-service opportunities, and possible participation in the 2027 Veterans in Energy Leadership Forum.
The meeting concluded with continued discussion of a potential “Veteran Steward” pilot. This concept, which remains in its infancy, would train selected members to serve as trusted peer supporters who help fellow Veterans navigate union resources, career development, G.I. Bill, mental-health support, community services and opportunities for civic engagement. The Committee is still evaluating the program’s appropriate scope, eligibility standards, training requirements, and relationship with existing Steward programs. While members want to ensure the initiative is developed thoughtfully and strategically, the concept is another example of the innovative spirit Veteran members bring to Local 1245.
While summer travel and competing obligations prevented several members from attending, the meeting demonstrated that meaningful progress does not always depend on a full room. Those present remained laser-focused on moving initiatives forward, taking responsibility for the future, and continuing to build a Committee capable of delivering on its mission:
Leave no Veteran behind.