"I emigrated from Brazil in March 2011 when I was 20 years old, originally to fight professionally on the mixed martial arts circuit, so I was literally fighting for my daily bread. It was a huge challenge to step on an airplane for the first time and go to a whole new world to pursue the American Dream. All that I had with me was $100 in my pocket and a dream instilled by God. The dream was very simple: I wanted a higher standard of life, to take care of my family and give peace of mind to my mom.

When I arrived in the U.S., I continued training with my coach and met my now-wife, Alicia, who is the daughter and granddaughter of proud IBEW members, Dennis McGinnis and his father, Bill McGinnis, who was the director of Local 271's apprenticeship program for many years. Dennis introduced me to the IBEW and the apprenticeship program, and he pointed me toward this career.

I was accepted into the apprenticeship program in 2015, and I was still fighting professionally. I topped out and graduated in 2019 to become a proud IBEW journeyman wireman.

There are some parallels between training for a fight and being an active IBEW member. We all have situations where we're under pressure, and a fighter is trained to be two steps ahead of any problem. We sharpen our skills and abilities, preparing to be our best. And we are the best at what we do.

Being a part of the IBEW has benefited not just me and my family here — my wife and three children, Kaidance, Liam, and Emery — but also my family still in Brazil, my mom and brother. The opportunity to have a great career, with a future to look forward to along with a dignified wage and outstanding benefits, has allowed me to provide comfort and security for all of my loved ones.

The potential to grow within the industry was always a driving force for me, because as my dad — Silvano Saudino, a former machinist in Brazil, may he rest in peace — always told me and my brother, "It doesn't matter what job you have, what function you are to perform; you must strive to be the best in the world at it." The IBEW allowed me to realize that message from my father, and it's brought me to where I am today as a proud Local 271 organizer. I don't intend to stop here.

In the IBEW, anybody who wants a better quality of life and a bright future has an opportunity to attain it — it depends only on you.

I was able to compete in a world championship while being a journeyman, and I firmly believe that I was able to get to that point due to the stability that the IBEW provides to me and my family. While working as an inside wireman, I was able to pursue my dream. I hope that one day I will be able to show my brother in Brazil the same path that was once shown to me."