Richardson, TX — November 10, 2025 — The Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry (IAEI) today announced the upcoming retirement of its Chief Executive Officer, Rudy Garza, marking the conclusion of a distinguished 30-year career in executive leadership, including 5½ years as CEO of IAEI. Rudy Garza’s last day as the CEO of IAEI will be December 31, 2025.
Under Mr. Garza’s leadership, IAEI has undergone a remarkable transformation — modernizing its operations and programs, strengthening its strategic position, and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the electrical industry.
“Rudy Garza has been a truly exceptional leader — one of the finest I’ve had the privilege of working with,” said David Humphrey, Chair of the IAEI Board of Directors. “His steady hand, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to our mission have elevated IAEI to new heights. Rudy led not only with intelligence and innovation, but with deep integrity and genuine care for the people who make up this organization. His vision has shaped IAEI’s future, and his leadership has led to the most impressive organizational changes in the past 25 years. He is a true visionary, outstanding statesman, and a friend to all.”
During his tenure as IAEI CEO, Mr. Garza guided IAEI through several landmark achievements, including:
- Initiating a new form of governance, transforming the day-to-day operations of IAEI.
- Guiding IAEI through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the organization’s resilience while many associations struggled to survive.
- Adopting and executing a comprehensive Three-Year Strategic Plan, aligning the organization’s mission, vision, and goals for long-term growth.
- Forming a new strategic alliance with the International Code Council (ICC) – a partnership designed to strengthen IAEI’s influence and collaboration for years to come.
- Leading the successful renaming of the organization to the Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry — a bold and historic step that many believed could not be achieved.
- Implementing a strategic 25% membership dues increase, which executed with near perfection and was remarkably well-received and supported by the IAEI membership.
- Launching the innovative “ElectriCity Program,” the organization’s first comprehensive membership growth initiative, delivering measurable results and attracting new members by the hundreds.
- Building a talented and high-performing professional staff, who elevated the customer service, education, publications, and marketing to new levels.
Reflecting on his retirement, Rudy Garza said, “It has been an honor to serve this incredible community of electrical professionals who protect our world from electrical hazards. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together — from modernizing our operational model and programs, to expanding our reach and impact. IAEI’s best days are ahead, and I am grateful to have been part of laying that foundation. This concludes my 30-year career in the CEO role and now it is time for me to pursue another career that fulfills my passions.”
The IAEI Board of Directors has initiated a transition process and will announce plans for finding Mr. Garza’s successor in the coming weeks.