Encore Electric Teammates and Projects Honored at IECRM Summit Awards

Awards Celebrate Electrical Excellence Across the Rocky Mountain Region

May 14, 2024 – Lakewood, CO — Last month, Encore Electric teammates and projects were recognized at the Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter (IECRM) Summit Awards. Each year, the IECRM Summit Awards recognize the best, most complex electrical projects and project teams in the Rocky Mountain West.

Hosted at Empower Field at Mile High, Colorado pride was strong at the IECRM Summit Awards with contractors proud to put their projects on display. Randy Gradishar, former Denver Broncos Linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, spoke at the event, remarking on the similarities between a career as an electrician and as a professional football player. Gradishar noted that challenging times, much like challenging projects, can make or break us. Sharing a quote from his father, Gradishar said, “It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.” It was a powerful message to kick off a night celebrating complex projects built with integrity.

Encore Electric Superintendent Chris Shipp was named IECRM Instructor of the Year, an award that recognizes Chris as he comes to the end of his seventeen-year teaching career. Chris’s influence as an instructor has been felt by many in the electrical industry, including the 762 IECRM students that he has impacted as a teacher and a mentor.

“I’ve tried to look at it like I’m doing more than just teaching, I try to connect with students as a peer in the industry,” said Shipp. “Seeing the learning happen in their faces and watching their passion grow as they progress through the program is so fun to be part of. I see electricians in them, I see their future careers ahead of them.”

Other Encore Electric teammates who were recognized include Ryan Holroyd, apprentice, and Michael Comstock, project manager, who were recognized for their completion of the IECRM Emerging Leaders Program, a leadership training project to develop a select group of IECRM member teammates.

Fourth year apprentices competing in the IECRM Wire-Off, including Encore Electric apprentice Steven Portillo, were recognized ahead of the competition to take place a few days after the awards ceremony. Wire-Off competitors are selected based on their standing in the top ten students in each apprentice year.

Work done by the Encore Electric Service and Special Projects team on the Empower Field at Mile High Scoreboard and Team Store Expansion project tied for first place in the IECRM Summit Awards Commercial Electrical Contract $2-$6 million category. Upgrades made by Encore Electric to Empower Field take the stadium’s ability to engage fans of the game to a new level. The nearly 16,000 square-foot scoreboard showcases action on the field like never before seen at the stadium, making it impossible to miss even a second of game play.

“This was a challenging project with a lot of eyes on it, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how the team performed,” said Lane Morgese, project manager. “In the face of strict deadlines, a difficult scope, and tight working spaces, the group exceeded expectations and delivered a project that everyone can be proud of. It is awesome to see the team get recognized for this job; I am glad I was able to be a part of it.”

Encore Electric received two IECRM Summit Awards for the UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion 3 project: the Commercial Projects $10M award and the 2024 Highest Peak Award.

The Highest Peak Award is presented to the project that receives the highest merit among the judges’ cumulative scoring. UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion 3 has been a defining project for Encore Electric over the last few years. Both Denver construction and Technology Solutions teammates have come together to complete the expansion of this live hospital, bringing state-of-the-art technology and electrical infrastructure to this major medical campus.

“I’m so proud of everyone that has been involved in this project, from our preconstruction team to the technicians who have been building this project from day one,” said Justin Litzo, Technology Solutions project manager. “This was a major project for us, we worked through COVID and supply chain delays that presented some pretty big challenges. It was great for our group to work directly with the UCH team and build a relationship that has continued to open doors for our team.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of this UCHealth T3 team and our organization as we provided the support necessary to achieve this level of success,” said Daniel Riepler, superintendent. “Every day the entire team kept patients, staff, and project safety as our top priority. This enabled the team to deliver a high-quality product and finish the project on time, enhancing the level of care in the community.”

Both the Empower Field at Mile High Scoreboard and Team Store Expansion and UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavillion 3 projects will go on to compete at the IEC National Awards in October.

Congratulations to all Encore Electric teammates who contributed to these outstanding projects!

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