Joel VanDuyn
Feyen Zylstra
For Joel VanDuyn, the electrical trade has always started with a simple question:
“How does that work?”
As a kid, he was constantly taking things apart to understand what was happening inside. If a toaster stopped working, he wanted to know why. If a machine failed, he wanted to understand what caused it. Long before he became an electrician, he was already developing the curiosity and problem-solving mindset that would define his career.
Today, after 25 years in the trade, Joel is widely recognized as one of Feyen Zylstra’s most trusted electrical service technicians. Known internally as the company’s “Swiss Army Knife,” he has built a reputation for solving complex problems, mastering advanced technologies, and helping customers navigate some of their most challenging situations.
Whether he’s troubleshooting a failed production line, programming sophisticated lighting controls, or mentoring the next generation of electricians, Joel approaches every challenge with the same mindset he developed years ago: understand the problem, find the right solution, and never stop learning.
A Passion That Started Early
Joel’s introduction to the electrical trade began at home.
His father spent his career working as an electrician in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Eventually, he launched his own business, building custom control panels and electrical systems. As a middle school student, Joel often found himself helping in the family’s basement workshop.
His father would hand him a steel backplate and tell him where to drill and tap holes for a new control panel. What might have seemed like simple tasks quickly sparked a deeper interest.
“As I did that, it just clicked for me,” Joel recalled. “I thought, ‘All right, I really like this. This is incredibly cool.'”
By high school, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
He enrolled at Kent Career Technical Center, gained experience as an electrical helper, and eventually entered an apprenticeship program at Circuit Electric. The work immediately captured his attention because no two days looked the same.
More importantly, he was fascinated by the science behind it.
“I just loved the physics behind it,” Joel said. “Electricity is almost like real magic.”
Finding Opportunities to Grow
Early in his career, Joel developed a strong technical foundation through his apprenticeship and journeyman experience. He learned from talented electricians, gained valuable field experience, and built the skills that would serve him throughout his career.
As he continued to grow professionally, Joel became interested in expanding his expertise and exploring new opportunities within the electrical industry. He was especially drawn to the increasingly complex technologies emerging in automation, controls, and advanced electrical systems.
That interest eventually led him to Feyen Zylstra.
Joining the company opened new opportunities to broaden his skillset, pursue advanced certifications, and work on a wide variety of challenging service projects. Over time, Joel earned his master’s electrician license and developed expertise in advanced lighting controls, automation systems, and complex troubleshooting—areas that have become defining parts of his career.
What has kept him at Feyen Zylstra for more than two decades is the company’s commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
“The thing that excites me most is that there is always something new to learn,” Joel said. “Technology is constantly changing, and that’s what keeps it interesting.”
Today, those skills make him a trusted resource for customers and coworkers alike. Whether troubleshooting sophisticated manufacturing equipment or programming advanced lighting systems, Joel has built a reputation for finding solutions to some of the industry’s most complex challenges.
Thriving Where Others See Pressure
Unlike many electricians who spend years working on a single construction project, Joel operates primarily in the service world.
Most days, he arrives at facilities where something critical has already gone wrong.
A production line has stopped. A machine has failed. A building system isn’t functioning. Customers are losing valuable time and productivity, and they need answers quickly.
For many people, that environment would be stressful. For Joel, it’s what makes the work exciting.
“You walk into the plant, and it’s completely dead quiet because the entire assembly line has ground to a halt,” he said. “The plant managers sprint up to you frantic and say, ‘Our main machine is completely down, can you fix it immediately?'”
In those moments, Joel relies on a methodical troubleshooting process built over decades of experience. Rather than rushing toward a quick fix, he works to understand the root cause of the issue, collaborating with operators, reviewing system logic, and systematically narrowing down possibilities until the solution becomes clear.
That disciplined approach has earned him the trust of customers throughout West Michigan, many of whom specifically request Joel by name when they need assistance.
Developing the Next Generation
While Joel’s technical expertise is impressive, the part of his career he talks about most often is mentoring.
Helping apprentices grow into confident, capable electricians has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
His approach is simple: teach people how to think, not just what to do.
When an apprentice accompanies him on a service call, Joel often asks them to take the lead. He’ll step back, observe, and challenge them with questions:
“What are you testing?”
“Why are you testing that?”
“What do you think the problem is?”
Rather than immediately providing answers, he encourages apprentices to work through the process themselves while providing guidance along the way.
One of the examples he is most proud of involved an apprentice named Paul. Over nearly two years, Joel intentionally invested in Paul’s development, exposing him to service work, troubleshooting, and advanced programming for lighting controls.
Eventually, Paul earned his journeyman license, obtained specialized certifications, and moved into his own service role.
For Joel, that success was every bit as rewarding as solving a difficult technical challenge.
“My hope now is to take that exact blueprint and jump right into training the next person,” he said.
Safety Through Preparation
As a service technician who often works independently, Joel understands the importance of disciplined safety practices.
He routinely enters unfamiliar facilities, interacts with complex equipment, and works around potentially dangerous energy sources.
For him, safety begins long before any work starts.
Every task requires understanding the environment, identifying hazards, and ensuring proper lockout/tagout procedures are followed. Whether working alone or leading a crew, Joel believes the extra time spent planning is always worthwhile.
“The baseline rule is that if we need to shut an electrical panel off to work on a machine safely, we shut it off—no exceptions,” he said.
That commitment to preparation has also helped strengthen Feyen Zylstra’s broader safety culture. Joel is known for providing thoughtful feedback on safety initiatives and helping ensure procedures are practical and effective for service technicians working in the field.
Sharing the Value of the Trades
Joel believes one of the construction industry’s biggest responsibilities is helping young people understand the opportunities available in the skilled trades.
As a father of four, he increasingly finds himself talking with other parents whose children are approaching graduation and considering career options.
His advice is consistent: Explore the trades.
He points to the opportunity to learn valuable skills, build a rewarding career, avoid excessive student debt, and continuously grow through hands-on experience. He also emphasizes the incredible variety available within the electrical industry itself, from construction and service work to automation, controls, and emerging technologies.
Outside of work, Joel continues to share his skills through volunteer service at Providence Christian Reformed Church, where he assists with maintenance, upgrades, and improvement projects. He has also volunteered with the church’s Cadet program and participated in mission trips, using his expertise to serve others beyond the jobsite.
Looking Ahead
After 25 years in the trade, Joel remains just as energized by the work as he was when he first began helping his father build control panels in the basement.
Part of that passion comes from seeing a finished system come to life.
“If I spent days programming an advanced automated lighting control network for a commercial tower, there is an incredible satisfaction at the end of the day when I watch the entire building function exactly as intended,” he said.
But perhaps an even greater reward comes from seeing the people around him succeed.
Whether he’s solving a complex electrical problem, helping a customer restore operations, or mentoring the next generation of electricians, Joel approaches every challenge with curiosity, patience, and a commitment to excellence.
As a finalist for ABC Western Michigan’s Craft Professional of the Year Award, Joel VanDuyn exemplifies the craftsmanship, leadership, and passion for learning that continue to strengthen the construction industry.
