Introducing District 5 Vice President Chris Schoolcraft
Chris Schoolcraft
Senior Vice President
Shawver and Son Inc.
Oklahoma City, OK Chapter, NECA
BACKGROUND
Schoolcraft was introduced to the electrical construction industry by his father-in-law, a project manager for Gaddis Walker Electric. He attended Central State University and completed his four-year electrical apprenticeship with JATC 1141. He was chair of the Edmond, Okla., Electrical Board for nine years and a member of the Oklahoma AGC Subcontractor Advisory Board from 2003-2004. Schoolcraft was also a member of the Oklahoma City Electric Appeals Board from 2001-2006 and currently serves as board chairman.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Shawver & Son Inc. has been in business since 1919 and a member of NECA since 1931. Originally known as McEldowney Electric, John Shawyer was hired in 1944. The company name was changed to Shawyer and Son Inc. in 1956. In 1992, Shawyer bought Industrial Electric. Today, the company primarily does commercial, industrial, government, and voice/data/video work in Oklahoma and has also worked on projects in Mexico and Kenya.
INVOLVEMENT WITH NECA
Schoolcraft was appointed to fill a seat on his chapter’s board in 1984 and has remained active in the association since then. He has served as chapter president and governor, and he currently serves on the national Workforce Development Committee and NJATC Core Curriculum Committee.
Schoolcraft believes in staying on top of the latest technology is essential to success in the industry. He also looks to NECA to help secure flexible working conditions and works with his colleagues in other markets to learn how they have implemented competitive labor practices locally.
OUT OF THE OFFICE
Chris and his wife Cindy have been married for 41 years and have two children, son Sean who works as Shawyer’s safety director, and daughter Shay, a preschool teacher. Chris and Cindy also have five grandchildren.
Chris considers himself lucky to be able to enjoy both fishing and golf year-round in Oklahoma, but of the two, he considers golf to be his passion.
