The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced that Craig Thelen, executive director of the State of Nebraska Electrical Division, has been selected as the 2026 NFPA Electrical Inspector of the Year. Thelen will be honored during the Stars at Night awards gala on Sunday, June 21, as part of the annual NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

Thelen is being recognized for his outstanding leadership, dedication and contributions to the electrical inspection profession. Since becoming executive director of the Nebraska Electrical Division in 2020, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing electrical safety, supporting electrical inspectors throughout the state, and upholding the principles of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Thelen also contributes to the profession by teaching code classes and sharing his technical expertise with others. He serves on the board of the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance, promoting regulatory consistency across more than 18 states. He also serves as a principal member on Code Making Panel 15 and an alternate member on Panel 10, further demonstrating his commitment to public safety through the codes and standards development process.

The NFPA Electrical Inspector of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional leadership, professionalism and service to the electrical inspection community and who has made significant contributions to the advancement of electrical safety.