About us

International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers

Local 816

The IBEW represents approximately 775,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government.  The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations.

IBEW LOCAL UNION 816 was chartered in Paducah, KY on May 5, 1937, and is now celebrating over 80 years of service to our local communities with approximately 900 active members.

Our jurisdiction for commercial, industrial, and residential electrical construction as well teledata work covers the western Kentucky counties of, Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, Marshall, and Trigg.

If you are planning a project within our jurisdiction, please contact our office for a list of signatory contractors.

Our non-construction membership includes annual maintenance and power operations staff for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) at Kentucky Dam Hydro, Marshall Combustion Turbine, Shawnee Fossil Plant and Paradise Combined Cycle Plant.

We proudly represent Line Crews and related employees for Jackson Purchase Electric Corp., West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative, Gibson Electric Membership Corp. (Hickman, KY district), Mayfield Electric and Water, and telephone work when performed by employees of West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the IBEW Local Union 816 may contact the JATC by calling 270-575-9646 or visiting their website (www.padjatc.org) for information on applications into the apprenticeship program.

IBEW Local 816

Officers and Staff

Beau Barrett

Business Manager
& Financial Secretary

Tammy Reed

Office Manager

James "Matt" Defew

Organizer

IBEW LOCAL UNION 816 OFFICERS

James "Matt" DeFew

President

Mark Dunaway

Vice President

Clint Moore

RECORDING SECRETARY

Jarrod Shadowen

TREASURER

Executive & Examining Board

Executive Board

Dusty Owens
Beau Barrett
Michael Scillion
Clint Warren
Jason O’Neill
Lance Derington
Josh Martin

Examining Board

Hunter Bebout
Nic Longman
Steve Nichols

IBEW Local 816

Join the IBEW

Looking for a skilled career in the electrical industry?

Or do you want to improve conditions in your current job? Looking for fair pay, decent benefits, an opportunity to grow? On-the-job respect?

Formed in 1891, we have earned our reputation as the oldest, largest and most professional electrical union in the world. We are on the job at construction sites, power plants, factories, offices, shipyards, TV studios and rail yards.

We know that there’s strength in numbers and have a proven path to help get results. By securing good wages, solid benefits and safer job sites, our union helps build a better road to the middle class for all working families.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the IBEW Local Union 816 may contact the JATC by calling 270-575-9646 or visiting their website (www.padjatc.org) for information on applications into the apprenticeship program.

The IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Paducah Division, has a year-round procedure for accepting applications for the Electrical Construction Industry Apprenticeship Program.  Applications will be accepted on the first Friday of each month between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the JATC office located at 2110 Shade Tree Drive, Paducah, Kentucky.

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be given an aptitude test.

Applicants with qualifying score on the aptitude test will be scheduled for an interview with the apprenticeship committee.

Interview for apprenticeship will be held three (3) times a year, approximately every four (4) months.

Once interviewed, these applications will be kept on active file for two (2) years from the date of the interview for possible selection into the Apprenticeship Program.

The PEJATC advertises semi-annually in the local newspapers, and on the radio.

NOTICE OF APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITY

All applications will be accepted without regard to age, race, religion, gender or national origin.  Each applicant must meet all basic requirements to be eligible for interview.  Requirements are:  17 years of age (18 at time of indenture), high school graduate, GED or Associates Degree, valid drivers license, birth certificate and proof of one full credit in Algebra I.  Eligible applicants must also obtain a minimum required score on an aptitude test given by JATC.  Applicants have 60 days from date of application to supply required information.  Applicants will be selected for apprenticeship in order of the ranking received from their interview session.

For more information call 270-575-9646

Jarrod Shadowen, Training Director

Paducah Electrical JATC

IBEW Local 816

Hire union for your project

Safety on every job!

The IBEW Code of Excellence is a program designed to bring out the best in our construction members and demonstrate to our customers that IBEW members:

  • Perform the highest quality and quantity of work
  • Utilize their skills and abilities to the maximum
  • Exercise safe and productive work practices

It’s about pride in IBEW membership and craftsmanship and leaving a lasting impression of quality workmanship with the customer.