Guarantee Electrical Company https://geco.com RSS feeds for Guarantee Electrical Company 60 https://geco.com/Newsroom/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1109/Kevin-Hilzinger-Creator-of-the-Electro-Post-EP-10--Top-Product-of-2021-EPS-Magazine#Comments 0 https://geco.com/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2821&ModuleID=5269&ArticleID=1109 https://geco.com:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1109&PortalID=45&TabID=2821 Kevin Hilzinger – Creator of the Electro Post EP-10 - Top Product of 2021 EPS Magazine https://geco.com/Newsroom/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1109/Kevin-Hilzinger-Creator-of-the-Electro-Post-EP-10--Top-Product-of-2021-EPS-Magazine Electro Post EP-10 Kevin Hilzinger – Creator of the Electro Post EP-10   Kevin Hilzinger, a Senior Electrical Designer for GECO Engineering Corporation spent the first 21 years of his career as a journeyman electrician in the field as well as running various jobs as a foreman. Kevin always had an interest in finding ways to simplify the process for electricians whether that would be finding a safer installation method, using a particular type of material to speed up the install, or just simply create a way that allowed for prefabrication.  Prefabrication is a process where the electrician can complete a portion of the job in a safer and more controlled environment.  Introducing Electro-Post! A less expensive, faster, safer, and smarter option for any electrical contractor. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________________   There are basically four main factors that ultimately drive the success and profitability of an electrical contractor. Those factors are to be less expensive, faster, safer, and smarter. In the conceptual phase of developing the Electro Post EP-10, Kevin put those four factors to the forefront, and they remained the priority the entire way. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________ Kevin realized that there were several products available for mounting electrical boxes INSIDE of a wall, and attached to the studs, but there wasn’t really a solution for OUTSIDE of a stud wall.  Right now, a common process for installing a junction box above a ceiling is to typically attach beam clamps to the back of the box and secure the box all way up to the building steel or whatever else you can find up high. There are two problems with this current method.  The first issue is that buildings are required to have fireproof insulation applied to the steel.  So, to install the box with beam clamps, you either must chisel off the insulation, which is frowned upon and not allowed by the Fire Marshall or attach your box prior to insulation.  The second issue is that the steel is usually 14 to 15 feet up in the air. Not to mention the accessibility issues you might run into but imagine trying to get up to the box safely on a ladder when you have to squeeze your body between plumbing, ductwork, or even steam lines just to access your box.  Ductwork alone could potentially make the electrical box virtually inaccessible.  The Electro-Post brings safety to mind and keeps the electrician closer to the ground. We all know the staggering statistics of injuries caused by a ladder. The Electra post provides a SAFER and SMARTER option for installation and brings it down to a safer level. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________ Electro-Post, your Company Solution to Safety, Cost, and Productivity!   The Back Story   Kevin Hilzinger began his electrical career in January of 1996, completing an 8,000-hour electrical apprenticeship to become a Journeyman Electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW, Local One). He has spent more than 2 decades as an electrician in industrial and commercial environments. In 2017, Kevin was working at a large office building in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, remodeling offices according to plans. As an electrician, the first step is to always find the junction box and circuit feeding the area and isolate the power in order to properly and safely address what needs to be changed. That part was a total NIGHTMARE. No two areas were the same. Every area was a different scenario, and the junction boxes were never in the same place. This took sometimes literally half the day, just troubleshooting where power was fed, or came to first, after leaving the panel. One thing was consistent – all the junction boxes were attached to the steel beam using two beam clamps to the back of the box. The electrician had to chisel off a portion of the fireproof insulation from the beam and secure the box all the way up to building steel. The electrician couldn't just screw the box to the stud during construction, because the person installing drywall would have to cut around every box, which would not be ideal, so their only choice was to go higher. Every time they lifted a ceiling tile, dirt and insulation would fall on the floor where they worked. If this was in an area where people were working, that was MORE time spent, just cleaning up afterward. Kevin went through this process for over three weeks, and finally had that "light bulb" moment. These office walls in the corridors rarely went all the way up to the ceiling. His thought was to create a product that attached to the top stud plate depending on the stud width that could properly secure a box. The ideal location for every Electro-Post would be above the ceiling around the door, where the light switch would ultimately be located. Kevin researched and talked to many carpenters in order to determine the most common wall widths. He designed the Electro Post EP-10 to accommodate all those sizes, and to be folded to whichever wall width is needed. Kevin Hilzinger now works as a Senior Electrical Designer for one of the largest commercial and industrial electrical contractors in Saint Louis, MO. His priority was to take his vision and bring it to life, in order to give the electricians out there today a safer and more productive option while out in the field. This new product promotes a NEW method of installation, but one that is faster, safer and smarter, ultimately saving electrical contractors a ton of money.   Introducing the Electro Post EP-10 prototype to SP Products A little over 3 years ago, I decided to reach out to a few companies regarding my vision and idea.  SP Products immediately called back and sent me an NDA to fill out prior to discussion.  After that, we had roughly an hour conversation over the phone which ended in them wanting me to send them my prototype.  The original concept started with paper, then three versions of an actual metal fabricated part.  SP Products received the 3rd version of my prototype, and we further discussed the opportunities over the phone.  After this conversation is when they decided to officially pick up the product and carry it forward as part of their SP Products product line.  This was right before COVID.  Everything ran smooth and after two rigorous UL testing sessions, the product had passed and was officially introduced at the 2021 NECA Show in Nashville, TN. I was invited by SP Products to stand beside them in their booth. I now sit back and support SP Products as they market the Electro Post EP-10 with the rest of their product line. Electro Post EP-10 - Catalog # IP27b www.spproducts.com Samantha Bievenue Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1109 https://geco.com/Newsroom/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1110/Black-History-Month-2022--Maya-Angelou#Comments 0 https://geco.com/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2821&ModuleID=5269&ArticleID=1110 https://geco.com:443/DesktopModules/CM.NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1110&PortalID=45&TabID=2821 Black History Month 2022 - Maya Angelou https://geco.com/Newsroom/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1110/Black-History-Month-2022--Maya-Angelou Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist, poet and award-winning author known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' and her numerous poetry and essay collections.     Who Was Maya Angelou? Maya Angelou was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet and civil rights activist best known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. Angelou received several honors throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009.  Early Life Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou had a difficult childhood. Her parents split up when she was very young, and she and her older brother, Bailey, were sent to live with their father's mother, Anne Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas. As an African American, Angelou experienced firsthand racial prejudices and discrimination in Arkansas. She also suffered at the hands of a family associate around the age of 7: During a visit with her mother, Angelou was raped by her mother's boyfriend. As vengeance for the sexual assault, Angelou's uncles killed the boyfriend. So traumatized by the experience, Angelou stopped talking. She returned to Arkansas and spent years as a virtual mute. Education During World War II, Angelou moved to San Francisco, California. There she won a scholarship to study dance and acting at the California Labor School. Also during this time, Angelou became the first Black female cable car conductor — a job she held only briefly — in San Francisco. Acting and Singing Career In the mid-1950s, Angelou's career as a performer began to take off. She landed a role in a touring production of Porgy and Bess, later appearing in the off-Broadway production Calypso Heat Wave (1957) and releasing her first album, Miss Calypso (1957). A member of the Harlem Writers Guild and a civil rights activist, Angelou organized and starred in the musical revue Cabaret for Freedom as a benefit for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, also serving as the SCLC's northern coordinator. In 1961, Angelou appeared in an off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's The Blacks with James Earl Jones, Lou Gossett Jr. and Cicely Tyson. Angelou went on to earn a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play Look Away (1973) and an Emmy Award nomination for her work on the television miniseries Roots (1977), among other honors.   Time in Africa Angelou spent much of the 1960s abroad, living first in Egypt and then in Ghana, working as an editor and a freelance writer. Angelou also held a position at the University of Ghana for a time. In Ghana, she also joined a community of "Revolutionist Returnees” exploring pan-Africanism and became close with human rights activist and Black nationalist leader Malcolm X. In 1964, upon returning to the United States, Angelou helped Malcolm X set up the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which disbanded after his assassination the following year. Poems 'Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie' (1971) Angelou published several collections of poetry, but her most famous was 1971’s collection Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Other famous collections of Angelou’s poetry include: Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well (1975), which includes Angelou’s poem “Alone” And Still I Rise (1978), which features the beloved poem “Phenomenal Woman” Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? (1983) I Shall Not Be Moved (1990), featuring the poem “Human Family”; Apple famously used a video of Angelou reading this poem in an advertisement at the 2016 Olympics Even the Stars Look Lonesome (1997) 'On the Pulse of Morning' (1993) One of her most famous works, Angelou wrote this poem especially for and recited at President Bill Clinton's inaugural ceremony in January 1993. The occasion marked the first inaugural recitation since 1961 when Robert Frost delivered his poem "The Gift Outright" at John F. Kennedy's inauguration. Angelou went on to win a Grammy Award (best spoken word album) for the audio version of the poem. Other well-known poems by Angelou include: “His Day Is Done” (1962), a tribute poem Angelou wrote for Nelson Mandela as he made his secret journey from Africa to London “Amazing Peace” (2005), written by Angelou for the White House tree-lighting ceremony Books 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' (1969) Friend and fellow writer James Baldwin urged Angelou to write about her life experiences. The resulting work was the enormously successful 1969 memoir about her childhood and young adult years, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The poignant story made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. The book, which made Angelou an international star, continues to be regarded as her most popular autobiographical work. In 1995, Angelou was lauded for remaining on The New York Times' paperback nonfiction bestseller list for two years—the longest-running record in the chart's history. ‘Gather Together in My Name’ (1974) Angelou’s follow-up to A Caged Bird, this memoir covers her life as an unemployed teenage mother in California, when she turned to narcotics and prostitution. 'Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas' (1976) Angelou wrote this autobiography about her early career as a singer and actress. ‘The Heart of a Woman’ (1981) Angelou crafted this memoir about leaving California with her son for New York, where she took part in the civil rights movement. 'All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes' (1986) A lyrical exploration about what it means to be an African American in Africa, this autobiographical book covers the years Angelou spent living in Ghana. 'Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now' (1994) This inspirational essay collection features Angelou’s insights about spirituality and living well. 'A Song Flung Up to Heaven' (2002) Another autobiographical work, A Song Flung Up to Heaven explores Angelou’s return from Africa to the U.S. and her ensuing struggle to cope with the devastating assassinations of two human rights leaders with whom she worked, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. The book ends when, at the encouragement of her friend Baldwin, Angelou began work on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 'Letter to My Daughter' (2008) Dedicated to the daughter Angelou never had, this book of essays features Angelou’s advice for young women about living a life of meaning. 'Mom & Me & Mom' (2013) In this memoir, Angelou discusses her complicated relationship with a mother who abandoned her during childhood. Cookbooks Interested in health, Angelou’s published cookbooks include Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories With Recipes (2005) and Great Food, All Day Long (2010). Screenplay Author and Director After publishing Caged Bird, Angelou broke new ground artistically, educationally and socially with her drama Georgia, Georgia in 1972, which made her the first African American woman to have her screenplay produced. In 1998, seeking new creative challenges, Angelou made her directorial debut with Down in the Delta, starring Alfre Woodard. Accomplishments and Awards Angelou's career has seen numerous accolades, including the Chicago International Film Festival's 1998 Audience Choice Award and a nod from the Acapulco Black Film Festival in 1999 for Down in the Delta. She also won two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, for her 2005 cookbook and 2008's Letter to My Daughter. Famous Friends Martin Luther King Jr., a close friend of Angelou's, was assassinated on her birthday (April 4) in 1968. Angelou stopped celebrating her birthday for years afterward, and sent flowers to King's widow, Coretta Scott King, for more than 30 years, until Coretta's death in 2006. Angelou was also good friends with TV personality Oprah Winfrey, who organized several birthday celebrations for the award-winning author, including a week-long cruise for her 70th birthday in 1998. Personal Life In 1944, a 16-year-old Angelou gave birth to a son, Guy (a short-lived high school relationship led to the pregnancy). After giving birth, she worked a number of jobs to support herself and her child. A poet himself, Angelou’s son now goes by the name Guy Johnson. In 1952, Angelou wed Anastasios Angelopulos, a Greek sailor from whom she took her professional name — a blend of her childhood nickname, "Maya," and a shortened version of his surname. The couple later divorced. Notoriously secretive about her marriages, Angelou was likely married at least three times, including in 1973 to a carpenter, Paul du Feu. Death After experiencing health issues for a number of years, Angelou died on May 28, 2014, at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The news of her passing spread quickly with many people taking to social media to mourn and remember Angelou. Singer Mary J. Blige and politician Cory Booker were among those who tweeted their favorite quotes by her in tribute. President Barack Obama also issued a statement about Angelou, calling her "a brilliant writer, a fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman." Angelou "had the ability to remind us that we are all God's children; that we all have something to offer," he wrote. U.S. Quarter In May 2021, it was announced that Angelou will be one of the first women to be commemorated with a new series of quarters from the U.S. Mint.   Citation Information Article Title Maya Angelou Biography   Author Biography.com Editors   Website Name The Biography.com website   URL https://www.biography.com/writer/maya-angelou   Access Date February 15, 2022   Publisher A&E Television Networks   Last Updated May 10, 2021   Original Published Date April 2, 2014 Samantha Bievenue Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1110