This year marks the 11th consecutive time Heller Electric Company, Inc. (Heller) has completed electric work for the Presidential Inauguration on January 21st, 2013.
Work on the 57th Presidential Inauguration began almost immediately after the election. Electrical Alliance contractor, Heller Electric, began electric installation on three separate structures for the ceremony, the Presidential Reviewing Stand, Media Stand and Mayoral Parade Reviewing Stand the week before Thanksgiving. Since then, an average of nine electricians have worked ten-hour days, up to seven days a week to ensure completion by January 7th.
Heller installed 600 amps in the Presidential Reviewing Stand, where President Obama and his family will watch the parade, for lighting and heating the entire stand and bulletproof enclosure. The three-story Media Stand is powered by 800 amps that supply approximately 192 electric outlets for the worldwide media in attendance to utilize. Finally Heller completed the heating and lighting work for the Mayoral Parade Stand that will hold the mayor and all Washington, D.C. government and guests.
Michael Ritchey, Heller Electric’s president said, “It is a bit challenging because of the definitive end and start date, ordering of custom materials, and allotment of only ten people to work on the project because of security, but our team thrives on fast-paced jobs and we feel honored to work on such a prestigious job.”
With the inauguration, the electric work doesn’t end on the finish date. Four Heller Electric workers will man each structure and the materials trailer on the day of the ceremony to ensure all operations run smoothly.
“The Inaugural Stands have been a huge part of our history since 1973, when we were selected to light President Nixon’s second term inauguration. Each inaugural project brings us not only new challenges, but stories and a tremendous sense of pride among all of our employees who work tirelessly to complete the projects on time. We look forward to the opportunity every four years and proudly celebrate our ability to participate in such a historical event,” said Heller’s Executive Vice President Brian J. Heller.
The Electrical Alliance is a cooperative effort between electrical contractors of the Washington, DC Chapter of NECA and skilled craftsmen of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 26. It provides quality products and services to customers, and sets the standard for efficiency and productivity within the electrical industry. Electrical Alliance contractors deliver a better-trained and better-supervised workforce comprised of electricians who receive intensive classroom and on-the-job training. Visit www.electricalalliance.org for more information.
