Tom Shafnisky, Master Electrician

Tom is a member of the Electrical Contractors of the Lehigh Valley, where he has been the President for the last 6 years. Tom also works closely with the local Career Institute of Technology (CIT) where he serves as a substitute teacher and mentor to aspiring electricians. Because of this relationship Tom is fortunate to be able to hire students from the co-op program while they are still in high school; many of whom have eventually graduated and stayed with his company for a number of years. In 2012 Tom was awarded the Friend of Education Award for his work with the CIT.
When he is not working, Tom enjoys training in martial arts, working with his church’s youth group and spending time with his wife and 4 young daughters. Some of his favorite activities include supporting his daughters at dance, martial arts and gymnastic events.
Getting Started
As a sophomore at Notre Dame High School, I was able to register to attend Easton Vo-Tech School on Kesslersville Road. At that time, I wanted to be in the Electronics Class. My hope was to fix televisions, VCR’s and other electronic items…can you believe at that time, VCRs were popular! The teacher was very good, and I had a lot of respect for Mr. Dinaro, but I didn’t have the maturity needed for that class and I knew it was time to move on.
When I looked to transfer from the electronics class, I thought it made sense to enroll in the Culinary Arts class because my mom owned The Front Porch in Nazareth. It was a small-town bar & kitchen that I was working in after school. Unfortunately, the class was full at that time. My advisor recommended joining Electrical Construction. He told me that he didn’t know what they teach in there, but the name sounds similar to the Electronics Class I was looking to leave. So, that is exactly what I did.
Shortly after entering Mr. Chuck Snyder’s class, we were working on installing lights on the entrance sign to the school off Kesslersville Road. We dug a trench, installed underground conduit, pulled the wires, and made all of the terminations. After the job was completed one of the students was instructed to turn the power on and there it was…. the lights came on!
It was at that moment that I felt like it was such an accomplishment to have been a part of that! I think what impressed me the most was that by the work of our crew, when someone was driving down that dark road, they would be able to find the school’s entrance easier. I was hooked!
In 1985, the school year before I would graduate, I lost my mom. We sold the bar & restaurant and moved to Allentown. I ended up graduating from Dieruff High School in 1987. I then worked in the kitchen at some local restaurants trying to figure out how to get my start in my career.
I answered an ad in the local newspaper (Long before the internet!) for a construction position at a local billboard company, Adams Outdoor Advertising. I arrived at the interview and filled out a job application where I listed my schooling in the electrical class. I was so scrawny and I’m pretty sure the operations manager looked at me and decided I would never be able to do the work that was required to install billboard panels. For the record, they are 14-feet tall and when all connected, 48-feet long! All made from wood – it was heavy!
After three weeks I received a call From Bob Gelsinger, the operations manager at Adams at that time. He asked me about my electrical experience and explained that their electrician was moving on and that they were looking for someone to take his place. He asked if I was interested in the position. Of course, I was interested!
I started working at Adams Outdoor Advertising located in Bethlehem, PA. Adams Outdoor owns and maintains most of the billboards along our highways and is a large national company. Shortly after I was hired and trained, I was made the company electrician. I oversaw roughly 200 billboard locations from as far East as New Village, New Jersey to Windsor Township by Cabela’s. I went as far south as Sellersville and up north to Stroudsburg. As an Adams employee I learned a lot about how a successful company was run.
As years went by, my friends and family would ask me to do small electrical projects around their homes. The projects continued to get larger and larger. I had never intended to start my own business, but people talk, and word got around. I showed up early and kept to any deadlines. The fact that I cleaned up afterwards left a huge impression too!
Bob always knew of my business and was very supportive of me as I worked nights and weekends to establish a customer base. I worked for Adams Outdoor for seven years!
Just after my 25th birthday, I was on the phone with a friend who asked me how I was doing and if I was busy at work. Tim, my friend, must have heard something in my voice and asked me what was wrong. I told him that nothing was wrong, I was just bored. What he said next changed the course of my professional life. He asked me when I was going to do it. When was I going to leave my comfort zone and my guaranteed paycheck to start my own business? As much as that question scared me to death, I also felt invigorated and motivated at the same time.
In 1988, I decided it was time to leave my safety net and go out on my own and that, as they say, is how it all began!
Wendy, Office Manager
Wendy is our office manager and brings with her over 30 years of experience in running local offices, with the last 9 years being here at Shafnisky Electric Inc.
She and her husband will be married 37 years in 2022. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren and recently had their first great grandchild. Her children and grandchildren are her world and keep her very busy when she is not taking care of her second family here at Shafnisky Electric. She counts the days until summer every year, as she does not like winter at all and loves going to Ocean City, Maryland in the summer.
Jenna, Office Assistant
When you call the offices at Shafnisky Electric Inc., chances are you will end up speaking with Jenna. Jenna has been with SEI since 2016. Prior to joining our team, she was a part time receptionist at a local contracting business. Jenna has a degree in criminal justice from Northampton Community College.
When she is not in the office, Jenna enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time with her family, reading or snuggling with her cats while watching a Marvel movie.
Don, Electrical Foreman
Don is our Foreman. He has worked in the electrical field for over 40 years on everything from railroad lines to computers. He worked for the Metro North Railroad and was in charge of the 25-man power department, responsible for all power systems on the New Haven Line. He has been with Shafnisky Electric Inc. since December 2009.
Don has been married to his wife for 32 years. They have 1 daughter and 3 grandchildren who live in Massachusetts. They have lived in Coopersburg for the last 30 years and are very active in their community and church. In their free time, they also enjoy spending time outdoors, at their cabin at Lake Wallenpaupack, traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and 3 dogs.
Lyutvi Molaasanov
Lyutvi was born and raised in Bulgaria before his family moved to the United States. Once in the Lehigh Valley, he attended Pen Argyl High School and the Career Institute of Technology. After graduation, he continued his education at Northampton Community College where he received his associate’s degree in the electrical construction field. Lyutvi has been working in the electrical field doing both residential and commercial work and has been with Shafnisky Electric Inc. for over 6 years.
In his free time, Lyutvi likes to work on his cars and his house! He loves to spend time with his two little boys and his wifey.
Dave
Dave has spent most of his working years in construction, experienced in nearly all aspects of the industry. He has spent the last 19 years as an electrician. Dave has worked in a wide variety of the electrical trade including new construction, old work (renovation and repair), troubleshooting and service, commercial, and industrial.
Dave enjoys a challenge. He likes to take thoughts and designs from a conversation or drawing and turn them into reality. He enjoys the engineering aspect and treats his final products like functional works of art.
When not at work, Dave loves music of all kinds and is an avid football and baseball fan. He enjoys being outside in nature. He also likes to relax doing woodwork; building cabinetry and furniture when time allows.
Nicholas
Nick began electrical work at age 13 with his father and quickly developed a passion for it. He knew that doing electrical work was his calling. His co-workers have given him the nickname, Nicky Wires.
When Nick isn’t working, he loves spending time with his family.
Nick says that life is a journey, so we should make it the best and most productive one we can.
Mark Stewart
Mark has been working in the electrical field for 13 years, mainly in residential work and installing whole house generators. Before becoming an electrician, he worked for Honda/Acura for over 15 years as a master mechanic specializing in automotive electrical. In his spare time, Mark is a Cub Scout leader and soccer coach. He also enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and working on cars.
Robert Dennis
Bob has been in the electrical construction field his entire adult life. Most of the time, as a licensed, self-employed electrical contractor. His projects have included completely rewiring row homes and large stone farmhouses, commercial tenant improvements, light industrial installations, design and build for both a loft conversion and a 10,000 sq. ft. custom residence, as well as extensive troubleshooting and repair experience. He has been a member of IAEI (International Association of Electrical Inspectors) for over a decade.
On his own time, Bob enjoys taking care of his family’s rural home, wondering the neighboring forest and maintaining a 1941 tractor. His TV is usually tuned to Sci Fi and he has a corresponding interest in astronomy. He likes to stay abreast of developments in the physical sciences, when he’s not digging into local history all while listening to good ol’ classic rock n roll.
Tim Rodger
Tim has over 10 years of experience with electrical work, starting when he was in high school. He has worked for Shafnisky Electric Inc. for about 6 years. Although he has experience in both residential and commercial, he prefers commercial work.
In Tim’s spare time, he likes to work on his Jeep and house.
Mike DeLucia
Mike has transitioned well into the Shafnisky Electric Inc. family and handles Business Development and estimating. Mike has brought his knowledge in the commercial & industrial electrical fields to SEI and we have been rapidly growing our team in these areas. Mike graduated from Catasauqua High school before moving on to Delaware Valley University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a minor in Adolescent Psychology. He was also a 4-year letter winner and 2-year captain on the Del Val Men’s basketball team. Mike spent 10 years in law enforcement before making the transition into the field of electrical construction and has been active in this field since 2006.
Mike was born and raised in Catasauqua and still currently resides in the borough of North Catasauqua. He and his partner Nicole have four daughters: Nicole’s identical teenage twin daughters Eva & Mia and Mike’s young adult daughters Bethanie & Makenna. In the warm months, Mike’s recent obsession for golf has him on the course quite a bit, and when not there, he enjoys spending time at the gym working on his overall fitness. Mike and Nicole are avid dog lovers and enjoy walking and spending time with their Rottweiler “Kingston” and their German shepherd “Karma”.
Miranda Ortiz
Miranda recently joined the Shafnisky family in October of 2021 but has quickly grown to love her work and her great coworkers! When she is not working, she enjoys spending her free time studying for her degree in Business Management and spending time with her family! She is also preparing for the arrival of son who will be making his way July 2022!
Glenn Bronson
Glenn has 8 years of experience in residential electrical work, including new homes, existing homes and service work. He has 14 years of experience in commercial electrical work. He received his electrical education at Northampton Community College and strives for customer satisfaction on all projects.
Joe Hlavinka
Joe worked for family businesses in the food service and grocery businesses in the 1970s into the early 1980s.He also did old and new construction work, plumbing, roofing, and remodeling. Joe worked at All Phase Electric from 1986 until 1990. After that, he worked for a major electrical contractor in the Lehigh Valley for 25 years. Joe also worked in the health care field doing maintenance for a local nursing home while working part time at Home Depot for 2 years. Joe joined Shafnisky Electric Inc. part time in 2020 and then full time in March 2021.
During this time, he has raised 3 wonderful children who are now all grown up and amazing adults. When he isn’t working, joe enjoys woodworking, paying and building guitars, boating, fishing and gardening.
Bob Bassett
Bob Bassett has been an electrician for 37 years. He graduated from Freedom High School in 1989.Bob loves all types of electrical work; residential, commercial, and industrial. He has also done data work, fiber optics and fire systems.
When he isn’t working, Bob enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, and gardening.
Alessandro Sanfilippo
Alessandro has been with Shafnisky Electric Inc since October 2021. He is very passionate about his career and is an organized and careful electrician. He pays lots of attention to small details.
Alessandro is a soon to be graduate from Northampton Community College in Electrical Technology and a soon to be parent. He lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife and they are expecting their first son.
In his free time, he likes to fix up his own house and dance. He also loves to travel and vacations on a yearly basis when possible.
Kameren Strouse
Kameren was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and moved to Pennsylvania in 2017. He is a disabled veteran of the United States Army in which he served on Active Duty for 7 years (2011-2018) as an Electronic Missile Systems Technician. Kameren is a current student at Penn State University on track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Monica, for 10 years. They love spending time with their dogs and being outdoors. Some of his hobbies include drawing, hunting, fishing, Penn State Football, and New Orleans Saints Football. He and his wife reside in Wind Gap, PA.
Dillon Hendrickson
Dillon graduated from Nazareth Area High School in 2009 and from Northampton Community College in 2018, where he earned my degree in Electrical Technology. He has been doing electrical work for about 5 years, 3 of which have been with Shafnisky Electric Inc.
In his personal time, Dillon likes watching movies, listening to music, and being outdoors especially hiking and camping.
Stephen Herstich
Stephen has 35 years of experience in the electrical trade doing residential, commercial and light industrial work including design, install and repair on all types of structures and equipment. He enjoys working on new and old commercial projects as well as automated systems.
In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family, fish and play guitar.
Robert Hahn
Robert (whose nickname is Tuna) has been working at Shafnisky Electric Inc. for three years now. He enjoys working in manufacturing facilities and doing service upgrades.
In his free time, Robert is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
Andrew Brooks
Andrew has 4 years of electrical experience spread among industrial, commercial, and residential settings. He specializes in commercial and residential old work, as well as service changes and conduit bending. Andrew loves making a connection with homeowners and seeing their electrical projects come to light.
When Andrew is not at work, he enjoys spending time camping with his wife and 2 dogs. He is an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and bow hunter. He also loves to volunteer his time feeding and stocking trout for the local nursery.
Addison Bacon
Addison has been working in the electrical trade for 10 years. He grew up building homes since the age of 12, as a summer job. At the age of 17, he started managing his own framing and trim crew. At the age of 18, he left the framing industry, and he entered the electrical field. He has most of his knowledge in the residential field but is eager to learn the commercial and industrial side of the industry. He craves to diagnose and fix problems, but he also loves to do renovations, remodels, and upgrades. Addison is also HVAC certified, enjoys working on ductless mini-splits, and has been installing and servicing them for 3 years.
In his spare time, Addison enjoys working on building and renovations. He also builds furniture and continues to do trim work. Addison also has a son whom he loves to have next to him while he is working. He enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and grilling.
Carmelo Santiago
Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, Carmelo began his electrical career with Shafnisky
Electric in 2022. In the past, he worked with electrical crews for college theatrical productions which sparked his interest in the industry. Carmelo is an energetic and ambitious newcomer to this field ready to learn and make the most of this opportunity that has been given to him.
In his spare time, Carmelo likes to play board games and tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons. He and his spouse are also taking on the new role of parents with the birth of their son, Finnegan.
Eric Taglioli
In 2018, Eric attended the night program at LCTI for Residential Wiring and Electricity. A few months prior to graduation he was hired by an independent electrical contractor and for the past 3 years was employed as an electrical apprentice. During the time as an apprentice, he worked in both the residential and commercial fields.
Eric has been happily married for the past 10 years and has 2 wonderful children, a daughter, and a son. When not spending time with my kids and going to their sporting events, he enjoys music and going to concerts with my wife and friends, hiking mountain trails, mountain biking, and he recently got back into the radio control (RC) hobby.