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ETA Announces the Technician and Educator of the Year

(Greencastle, IN) March 15, 2024 – To recognize the hard work that technicians and educators do each and every day, ETA^® International awards one technician and one educator each year who has demonstrated excellence to their peers. ETA members have the opportunity to nominate their peers or colleagues for this prestigious award. ETA is sincerely grateful to these professionals and recognizes their dedication and enthusiasm for electronics and electronics-related technologies and their willingness to share their expertise with other technicians and students to improve industry vocations and their trade association. It is ETA^® International’s pleasure to announce the 2023 Technician of the Year and the 2023 Educator of the Year.

2023 Technician of the Year

Alvin Cacabelos, CETsr

Alvin Cacabelos has been a technician since 1990, when he started as a technician in the Marine Corps as a Telecom Technician. Since then, he has worked many different technician jobs. He worked for LA County ISD, maintaining the LA County Sheriff’s Radio Dispatch Center; he moved on to independent I.T. and network system design and implementation; and then he worked as a contractor for AT&T and T-Mobile for cell site selection and initial deployments. Recently, he also maintained the LA County LARCIS Public Safety Broadband System prior to its purchase by AT&T/FirstNet.

Alvin is currently working as a Senior Technician for Airwave Communications, a Motorola Elite Service Partner. Here, he implements, commissions, and troubleshoots DAS/BDA systems and develops, designs, installs, and maintains LMR and dispatch systems for various commercial customers and public safety agencies. Alvin, along with his team, are on-call to maintain the San Bernardino County VESTA 911 System, various public safety agencies dispatch centers, as well as fulfill technical services and maintenance for several others in Southern California, such as the LAPD, LA City Fire, LA County Fire, LA County Sheriffs, the various member agencies of the ICI and LARICS systems, SoCal Edison, SoCal Gas, Chevron, the Federal Reserve, theme parks, and multiple school districts among others.

He currently holds and/or has achieved:

 

2023 Educator of the Year

Saleh Ahmed, CET

Saleh Ahmed possesses an extensive career spanning over 27 years, marked by profound expertise in aviation, electronics, and communications. In the mid-90s, Saleh pursued a foundational education in basic electronics while preparing for the Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certification. Upon successful completion of the FAA-approved program, he joined the United States Army, undergoing advanced training in the Radio and Communication Security technician.

A former Army Master Instructor and Training Developer, Saleh's commitment to excellence is evident in his designation as a Certified Electronics Technician (CET), complemented by numerous certifications from the FAA, FCC, and ETA. His comprehensive certification portfolio encompasses CETa, Wireless Communications (WCM), Radar (RAD), FCC MP, GROL, Ship Radar Endorsement and GMDSS Radio Maintainer License, Microsoft Certified Professional, CompTIA A+, and the FAA A&P mechanic's license, showcasing his versatility and profound knowledge across various disciplines.

As an active participant in the CETa and RFIM committees, Saleh has played a crucial role in reshaping and updating certification standards. His contributions to the revision and enhancement of CETa and RFIM exams and competencies underscore his unwavering dedication to upholding the industry's highest standards and staying abreast of technological advancements.

About ETA: Founded in 1978 by electronics technicians, ETA^® International is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association whose mission is to represent and support the technical professional. ETA offers over 90 accredited, vendor-neutral certification programs in a variety of technology fields such as fiber optics, communications, electronics, biomedical, smart home, and renewable energy.

ETA aligns with the ISO 17024 standard, vocational and education curriculums, and businesses’ resource initiatives through certification programs, conferences, and publications. Download ETA's Certification Booklet to see how ETA can help your career, business, or school. etaico.org

Download this press release at – https://etaico.org/pr/2024_ETA_Announces_the_Technician_and_Educator_of_the_Year.pdf