Angel Villanueva’s Impact on IES in Just Eight Months

In just eight months, apprentice Angel Villanueva has transformed from a newcomer to a leader at IES. Read on to discover how his leadership and passion are shaping the future of IES.

While IES treats every day as an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions that our apprentices make, the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week offers a fitting moment to more directly acknowledge some of our rising leaders. In just eight months as an apprentice, Angel Villanueva, has made significant impact at our branch; even stepping into a lead position, overseeing an entire wing on his first jobsite.

“I knew that I could do more and I wanted to do more, so I just kept pushing myself and trying harder to be a little bit better every day,” said Angel, reflecting on his exponential progress as an apprentice. Angel’s leadership style has cultivated a team motivated to execute operations both properly and with momentum. “I really do care for, value, and appreciate everyone here. To me they’re not just coworkers, they’re really like family at work,” he remarks. Angel embodies this year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme being 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion and Innovation by creating a culture of learning throughout his wing, supporting those that are completely new to the trade and uplifting those with knowledge to share. “I really try to focus on and teach everything that I know to those with less experience,” says Angel, “and there are also a lot of people here with more experience who teach me. I learn something new every day.”

Balancing leadership and learning has been key to Angel’s success at IES, which translates to him being well- respected and relatable among his colleagues. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Angel manages tasks with confidence, ensuring that the project runs smoothly and that members are both assured and safe as they execute tasks. “To stand out from everyone else, you have to want it. Help out anyone and everyone you can, and always give the extra effort,” says Angel. Looking toward the future, Angel is excited to continue developing his skills and contributing to the IES mission. “When the time comes, I’ll take my journeyman exam, and keep going from there,” he says.

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we are proud to recognize Angel as a standout example of IES potential and progress. His dedication and enthusiasm drives team success and inspires both newcomers and seasoned vets to continue striving for excellence.

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