Aaron Nowland: IBEW 665 President, Agent and Organizer
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Q: Tell me about your path to the IBEW.
A: It was a long and winding one. I spent almost 20 years in restaurants, doing everything from dishwasher to general manager to executive sous chef. Eventually, the long hours pushed me out. I landed in a school district facilities department, where an IBEW member suggested I look into the apprenticeship. Then the 2009 downturn hit, jobs were cut, and I found myself at a crossroads. At 36, I took the leap and started as an IBEW 665 apprentice.
Q: What drew you to the electrical trade?
A: Honestly, I just wanted a big change. After years in the service industry, I wanted to create things, move around, learn something new, and get out of a windowless kitchen. At first, I thought I’d go into line work because I wanted to be outside. That didn’t pan out, but it worked in my favor. I got to stay local, spend more time with my kids, learn a new skill, and still get to be creative.
Q: How did your transition from the field to the office happen?
A: I’ve always talked a lot and advocated for others, even in high school. When I joined the IBEW, I got involved. I came to the union meetings. I volunteered on the political action committee and kept showing up. When our local needed a vice president, I stepped up, and when the president resigned, I took over, balancing my electrical job during the day with union leadership duties. I then ran for a second term, and that is when Business Manager Aaron Pangborn asked me to join him in the office full-time. My wife and I talked it over — it’s definitely not a 7 to 3:30 gig — but we decided it was the right move. It is like being back in the service industry, only this time my customers are the brothers and sisters of my union.
Q: What does a typical day look like now?
A: There really isn’t a “typical” day. Some mornings start quietly, others with calls at 7 a.m. I handle emails and paperwork in the morning, then afternoons are usually out on job sites, organizing nonunion workers, or meeting with local leaders. Lately, I’ve also been managing our union hall remodel, which adds a whole new dimension.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge facing the electrical industry right now?
A: The biggest struggle is the lack of a long-term bipartisan plan to fund, engineer, and build the energy infrastructure our country needs. Everything plugs in today, and demand is only growing. We’ve worked hard to rebuild the skilled workforce after years of steering kids away from the trades, but constantly shifting policy in Washington risks stalling projects. If the work dries up, we lose the very people we’ve just invested in — the workforce we’ll need for the projects we know are coming.
Q: Looking back, what achievement are you especially proud of?
A: Working on Michigan’s Capitol renovation was unforgettable. I helped install the lighting control system for the public spaces and got to see parts of the building no one had seen since it was built. Another was working on the rare isotope facility at MSU. The technology was incredible, and it felt good knowing I contributed to something that helps build the future.
Q: What makes IBEW 665 special in your eyes?
A: The partnership with our contractors. Here in Lansing, we’ve built strong relationships and a reputation as the premier electrical experts. We work with the state, MSU, U of M Health-Sparrow, and more. Beyond that, we give back, supporting Habitat for Humanity, the Rescue Mission, local sports teams, and school science programs. That community commitment sets us apart.
Q: What advice would you give a young person thinking about the IBEW?
A: Don’t let obstacles stop you. If math wasn’t your strong suit, take a class or two at a community college. And be persistent, because sometimes it takes two or three tries to get into the apprenticeship. It’s competitive, but the payoff is worth it: great training, solid wages, and a lifelong career.
Q: What do you do outside of work?
A: In the summer, you’ll usually find me in a canoe or kayak. I love photography, too. In the winter, my wife and I run our dogs at Rose Lake and spend as much time outdoors as possible. We try to unplug and get away from technology whenever we can.
Q: What role do you see unions like the IBEW playing in the future?
A: Unions are simply people working together to improve their lives. We’re not corporations chasing profits. We’re members building a better future for ourselves and our families. I think younger generations are starting to see the value in that collective strength and community, especially as they push back against low wages and weak benefits.
Q: What’s your vision for IBEW 665 going forward?
A: The opportunities in Michigan are huge: semiconductors, EV infrastructure, green energy, and major projects at MSU and U of M Health-Sparrow. I see billions in projects on the horizon. So I think we're poised to continue to grow. Personally, I’d love to see us expand our apprenticeship program with a training facility built from the ground up for our needs. Investing today in the next generation of electricians – that’s how we keep growing and preparing for the future.