Think Like A Leader

Leading a family business is a challenge and an opportunity that Matt Guarracino gladly accepts. As Principal and CEO of JM Electrical (Boston), Matt knows that the EC industry is changing rapidly.  He regards keeping to the core values both for the company and himself as the key to JM’s success.

Mark Huston, President of Lone Star Electric, has a simple formula for working as a leader and helping others prepare for leadership roles:  “It all comes down to communications and respect.” Mark has seen his family’s business thrive in the Dallas Fort Worth area and attributes much of the company’s success to its focus on the industrial side of the EC market. Our congratulations to Mark who is the 2024 recipient of NECA’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership Award.

Mike Dumas knows that the company’s culture is key to the way its people interact and serve their customers. Mike regards the EC industry as offering a fantastic career for men and women as long as they concentrate on being the very best at their jobs today and every day. That focus is central to Crawford’s customer service and its ongoing success.

Ryan Evans, VP at Border States Electric, truly believes “there has never been a better time to be in the electrical industry.” As VP for Construction Solutions, Ryan works closely with owners, GMs, contractors, and manufacturers to ensure the best possible solutions for each project. He told ELECTRI about the importance of understanding the goals of those around you to help ensure success for all. Here’s his full Think Like a Leader conversation with ELECTRI.

Joey Shorter has extensive experience as a leader for the electrical construction industry. His relationship with NECA, ELECTRI International and the Atlanta EC Association is rich with his personal involvement. Dr Shorter approaches every encounter as an opportunity to help someone do better professionally and personally. His thoughtful leadership brings people together by approaching every decision and taking every action based upon integrity, honesty, and truthfulness.

Mike Carroll, Graybar’s Director of Business Development, is a strong advocate for the electrical construction industry. He recognizes that the two most important actions contributing to his success, and the success of his customers, is communications and being engaged every step of the way.  

Mike Curran, CEO of Redtop Electric pays a lot of attention to “powering what’s next”.  To make sure the company has the best possible workforce in place both in the field and in the office, Mike and his co-leaders focus on attitude and trust. Learn more about Redtop’s approach to finding a better way every day.  

Luke Kuhl understands that his goal as executive of NECA’s Saint Paul Chapter is to make people’s lives and businesses better. Luke’s game-plan is to always be curious, be relentless, and pay attention to delivering the outcome that his EC members will value and use at every turn.   

Line contractors face very different issues. Steve Gaines, Jr. has led NECA’s Southeastern Line Constructors Chapter for 25 years. In this conversation, he shares some valuable information about the needs of line constructors, their relationship with all the other NECA chapters, and the importance he places on listening carefully before making decisions.

An important mandate for ELECTRI International is to keep up with the mega trends that will have a major impact on the EC industry. As ELECTRI’s Executive Director, Josh Bone understands the sense of urgency that goes along with his leadership. He appreciates that the ELECTRI team always has to focus on the programs and projects that will be most valuable for the success of the industry.