Who is Alec McCaskill from English Creek and what is their importance?

Alec is the McCaskill's oldest son. He is also Jick's older brother. At eighteen, he is taller than his father with red hair, blue eyes, and a freckled nose. Larger-than-life, he seems to be good at anything he tries. Alec is the first McCaskill ever to go to college, and he studies Mechanical Engineering.