If you’re an electrician in New Jersey, chances are you’ve spent long days in the scorching heat and the bitter cold, or handling clients who “just watched a YouTube video” and think they know the code better than you. Just another day on the job. And that’s why it’s important to have a leader at the NJIEC who’s been there, done that, and still shows up ready to push the industry forward.
Enters Brian Berg, the newly elected President of the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors (NJIEC). He's got decades of experience in the industry, built his business from the ground up and wants to make changes that benefit merit shop electrical contractors in New Jersey.
Let’s get to know the man behind the title.
From High School Apprentice to Business Owner
Not everyone finds their calling early, but for Berg, the electrical trade sparked his interest back in high school.
"It started in freshman year," he says. "At the time, the school system was really pushing trades, so in 8th grade, they sat us down to plan. My high school had a pre-electrical apprentice class, and I signed up. After that, I started helping out family, friends, and local contractors on weekends and nights."
That early hands-on experience set the foundation for a career that’s been going strong ever since. After high school, he jumped straight into a four-year adult apprenticeship program, working in the field while also taking trade school and college courses for electrical engineering. By 24, he was already running his own electrical business, with his license in hand.
Berg stayed busy working, building, and running his business. But over time, he saw the importance of getting involved with the NJIEC.
"I was involved with IEC probably 10-plus years ago, but at a low level—just showing up for CEUs and a few business meetings," he says.
It wasn’t until he spent four years teaching at Passaic Tech that he felt the pull to do more. After leaving public education there, he had conversations with the NJIEC senior board, who encouraged him to take on a bigger role. He started as Secretary of The Board, and eventually, made his way to President.
His goal? Getting more contractors involved and making sure the next generation is ready to take over.
Advice for the Next Generation
Every seasoned electrician has words of wisdom for the up-and-comers, and Berg keeps it simple:
🔥 Master the book work and theory early. Don’t just go through the motions—understand it.🔥 Get as much hands-on experience as possible in the first few years. Work with your hands, develop critical thinking skills, and expose yourself to different types of jobs.
🔥 Listen to your senior guys and ask questions. Learning from experience is how you set yourself up for success.
"If you get that right in the beginning," he says, "you’re setting yourself up for a solid future."
Biggest Change in the NJ Electrical Industry
Right now, Berg sees one big issue: not enough young people getting into the industry—especially when it comes to leadership and ownership.
"It’s starting to trend in the right direction, but for a long time, we weren’t seeing enough younger guys interested in electrical contracting at a business level," he explains.
That’s why he’s pushing for more involvement, more mentorship, and more opportunities to keep the NJ electrical industry strong for years to come.
Dirt Bikes, Hiking & Off-the-Grid Dreams
When he’s not running a business or leading NJIEC, Berg is all about the outdoors and adrenaline.
"I like to travel, camp, hike, and mountain bike," he says, "but mostly, I’m into riding and racing dirt bikes."
Even though he doesn’t race much anymore, he still practices and trains like he does, treating motocross as the ultimate workout and mental escape.
"It’s the best fitness and mental break you can get in such a short period of time," he says.
And if he wasn’t an electrical contractor?
"I’d probably be out in the Midwest, on a farm compound with an MX track," he laughs.
Or maybe a police officer, since that was another career path he once considered before diving headfirst into electrical work.
Get Involved
So, what’s the top priority for NJIEC under President Berg in 2025?
Listening to the members.
"I want to survey and hear from our contractors so we can get more involvement in the association and the industry as a whole," he says.
The mission of NJIEC is to aid the independent electrical contractor’s success by developing a professional workforce, communicating clearly with government, promoting ethical business practices, and providing leadership for the electrical industry. New Jersey’s electrical industry thrives on skill, dedication, and always pushing forward. Get involved with NJIEC and help shape what’s next.
Drop Brian a note. Ask him a question, share what's on your mind, or just say, 'hi'.
Brian Berg
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