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We traveled to remote
towns across Ohio, such as Hopedale, Bremen, Leipsic,
Pickerington, Marysville, Bluffton, Fostoria, North
Baltimore, Lima, etc., installing electrical power and
control systems. The team was unique in a lot of ways. We
had to learn how to survive getting paid once per month
since Parker Construction didn’t have a line of credit yet.
(That could only happen with family and friends!!!)
Another unique thing about
our team – we were all African-American. That was one of the
key variables that allowed us to grow. There weren’t too
many electrical contracting businesses in Ohio with our
technical ability that had a 100 percent African-American
workforce! Of course, Ed Jr. leveraged that during contract
negotiations.
We enjoyed rolling into
the small towns prepared to shock and awe our construction
colleagues and the local communities. It was often very
funny. We were frequently mistaken for being the laborers or
some other trade.
Those who did not know us
could not believe that this 100 percent African-American
team was there to install the complex power, control and
communication systems associated with the wastewater
treatment system. This includes other African American
construction workers, project managers and field inspectors.
They often stated they
have never seen such a thing.
The Kirk Brothers staff
just laughed when they were asked about our ability to
‘energize’ the plant. (Yes, they were asked on every
project that we worked on with them!) The lead
superintendent would simply say, “Ed Jr. and his little
‘confident’ brother would make sure that it fires up!”
They usually simply
pointed to the short one over there and said, “he is the
controls and instrumentation guy!” LOL! I digress.
Side note: Ironically, a
very successful electrical business owner in Toledo told me
back in 2008 that he was inspired to pursue a career in the
electrical industry after hearing about our 100 percent
African-American team when we wired the Hopedale wastewater
plant.
Again, as with previous
companies that Ed Jr. led, the company began to grow.
Successfully completing projects meant growth was upon us.
As a result, we needed more people/employees to support our
growth.
Eventually, Sandra and
Louis rejoined the team and other extended family and
friends joined as well. Many of them, before joining Parker
Construction, could barely change a light bulb.
One of the wonderful
characteristics of Ed Jr. is that he was an outstanding
teacher!! If there was one thing he knew how to do without a
doubt is teach people how to wire!!! Again, he created a
school where he taught many people of color how to earn a
living as electricians.
We started to get
invitations from a variety of general contractors to bid on
projects throughout Ohio, especially northwest Ohio. I
advised against re-entering the northwest Ohio area because
I enjoyed working in and learning about different
communities. Additionally, I didn’t think it was wise to
return to the area where we were not welcome by the existing
construction system.
The local construction
business preferred to do business with a front company –
Advantage Electric/Enterprises, anyway. Ed Jr., however,
was tired of the road and wanted to prove to the industry
that he could compete and win in NW Ohio.
We eventually won several
projects in NW Ohio, including another large residential
renovation project for LMHA – Birmingham Terrace. Soon
after, we won another project at the University of Toledo,
and another decision by Ed Jr. eventually changed the
dynamics of the Parker Construction leadership team.
Remember that reference to an evil presence lurking in the
shadows?
To be continued in Part VI
- Entrepreneurship – Who should you partner with or hire?
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