Alumnus Spotlight: Lou Raggi, Owner of Lou’s Electric Services

In June 2011, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Electrical Technology alumnus, Lou Raggi, stepped down from EASTERN’s Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) after 29 years of dedicated service. Raggi, Owner of Lou’s Electric Services in Glenside, PA, was a 1968 graduate of EASTERN and Bishop McDevitt High School. Two of Raggi’s sons, Lou Jr., and Michael, attended EASTERN for Electrical Technology and Protective Services respectively, and his son, Rob, currently teaches the Electrical Apprenticeship program at night for EASTERN’s Continuing Education program. Raggi made the difficult decision to step down from EASTERN’s OAC to spend more quality time with his grandchildren - Robbie, four years; Joseph, 3 years; Madeline, 1 year; and Rebecca, five months.

After graduation, Raggi enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon his return, he would often stop by EASTERN to see the teachers who made a difference in his life. In 1970, while working for an electrical contractor, Lou started his own business on the side – Lou’s Electric Services. In 1973, after he wed Frances, he decided to work for himself indefinitely.

In 1982, an EASTERN classmate of Raggi’s, Rick Fiorentino, became EASTERN’s Electrical Technology instructor. Fiorentino ask Raggi to join the Electrical Technology program’s OAC. The OAC consists of a group of professionals from business and industry who assist EASTERN instructors and administration to create curriculum that is industry standard and to ensure EASTERN students have the tools currently being used in the field. His involvement with EASTERN did not stop there – Raggi also assisted with SkillsUSA competitions. SkillsUSA is a student leadership organization in which EASTERN students have the opportunity to compete with other students in their field of study from other career and technical high schools for scholarships and awards. He also became one of EASTERN’s National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) evaluators.

“The best part of my time at EASTERN was the satisfaction of watching the change in students throughout the year. They leave the program as solid entry –level technicians,” said Raggi. “The quality of the education is very high, and the dedication of the OAC members is outstanding. The students are the reason I stayed on the OAC as long as I did. They come first - always. I strongly believe in being there and helping to guide them; however, the time has come for me to shift my priorities and spend more time with my grandchildren.”

Photo: Lou Raggi