A Family Business is Born
In
June of 1960 founder William "Bill" Dies found himself unemployed
after losing his job as superintendent / estimator for an electrical
contracting firm. However, Bill and wife Netta were not devastated.
They knew he could find work as a journeyman or look for a position
similar to the one he had.
But contracting was in Bill's blood. His father
was a general contractor, and his brothers were all contractors
(in plastering and carpentry). So Bill and Netta started a new company.
And on June 12, 1960 Dies Electric was born.
With nine children (5 boys and 4 girls) and a large
house with a mortgage to match, money was a start-up problem. Bill
went to the local suppliers before opening the shop and enlisted
their financial help. That first summer Bill worked during the day
with oldest son, Ken, by his side. At night you could find him at
the families dinning room table estimating projects. When the fall
brought both the return of Ken to his senior year of high school
and some winning bids, Dies Electric signed an agreement with the
local union.
Life around the Dies household changed very quickly.
Netta began to take an active part in the business. She not only
had to manage the large family, but also the growing business. The
family basement was remodeled into an office. This arrangement contributed
directly to the company's current "family" nature.
Because the office was located in the basement,
Bill and Netta could devote a great deal of time to the business
and not lose that close contact with their children. Bill could
work late-night hours while Netta could manage the business and
still be there when the kids needed her. The children would often
play in the basement, which allowed them to retain that close contact
with their parents. And, by association, the children could learn
about the electrical contracting business.
One
by one the children began to pitch in. Ken went to work for his
father one year after graduation. Fran, who is the oldest daughter,
began working alongside her mom answering the phones and assisting
with the office work. John, the second-oldest son, applied for the
apprenticeship program, working for an electrical supply house and
controls panel supplier while waiting for acceptance.
It soon became evident that without any overt planning,
Bill Dies' family was becoming a valuable asset to his company.
As each son grew older they each took their turn
during the summer months driving truck for the company. Bob, son
number three, continued to deliver materials to the job sites even
after graduation while he awaited acceptance into the apprenticeship
program. And over time David and Steve, sons four and five, expressed
interest in joining the business. David began his apprenticeship
after graduating from high school. Steve entered college after a
very successful high school wrestling career. However, after one
year he decided he wanted to be an electrician and was later enrolled
in the apprenticeship program.
By the nature of the apprenticeship program John,
Bob, Dave and Steve all spent their apprenticeship years working
for other companies, bringing invaluable experience back to Dies
Electric with them. While Ken has worked for the family business
all along, he has gained knowledge through on-the-job training and
many industry related training courses.
Daughter Tina went to college and pursued a degree
in accounting, hoping that someday she could also contribute to
the family business.
As
the children began to marry and start families of their own the
large house was soon very empty. Meanwhile, the company was outgrowing
the basement office. Dies Electric had purchased a large Akron building,
using two-thirds of it for warehouse space while leasing out the
front portion of the building. The leased space became very attractive
for the company's permanent headquarters. As they had always done,
the family began working as a team to convert the space into a modern,
energy-efficient office.
In 1987 founder Bill Dies passed away. However,
the family tradition carries on. Bill instilled in his children
a great sense of loyalty and family values. And with these traits
the family has continued to work together and keep the business
going. Ken is currently the companies president overseeing the operation
of the company. Fran went on to nursing school and has pursued a
career as a critical care nurse. John coordinates the jobs in progress
and also serves as the vice-president. Daughter Peg joined the company
in 1984 and after receiving an associate degree in accounting works
with Tina to handle the day to day office responsibilities. Tina
received her degree in accounting in 1981 and works as the in house
accountant and treasurer. Bob, David, and Steve all work as journeyman
electricians managing projects. The often unrecognized family member
daughter Carol, pursued a career in banking. Dave LeBeau, the company
estimator, is also related through marriage to a Dies cousin.
With thirty grandchildren
and 18 great grand children waiting in the wings, the next generation
of Dies' have begun to join the company. Fran's son Dave recently
completed his apprenticeship and has joined the business as a journeyman
electrician. While Ken and Bob's sons, Mike and Bob, Jr., have worked
on the dirt crew. Along the way other nieces and nephews also have
worked during summer breaks from college. Bob Jr. recently left
the company to begin his electrical apprenticeship and hopes to
return when his training is complete. And so the family tradition
continues!
"Our Experienced Staff"