Episode 40 | CEStv Recap: Bringing Visions to Life
City Electric Supply (CES) helps bring visions to life every day, whether it’s completing a renovation, providing fulfilling careers, or making life-changing donations. This episode looks back on some of the latest highlights.
Community Projects
Invictus Academy
Students at the nonprofit school Invictus Academy struggled with frequent headaches, eye strain, and frustration that poor lighting caused.
CES Outside Salesman Bob Schultz made it his mission to find a lighting replacement solution. With lights donated from the community, Schultz and local electrician Nick Ellis replaced the entire school’s lighting in a single day at no cost to the school.
“The day after the installation was life-changing and instantly lifted a big weight off all our shoulders,” said Melissa Elliott, Communications Specialist at Invictus Academy. “It’s a much better environment for learning, and the students are much calmer and happier. We’re thankful for each day with the new lights.”
To learn more about the project, watch the full episode:
South Carolina Military Museum
The South Carolina Military Museum received major lighting upgrades as well. CES Lexington teamed up with a local electrical contractor to help install 80 new light installations. The project included custom track lighting fixtures to highlight displays while still protecting the historical pieces.
“The LED lighting that was installed makes a world of difference, and not just aesthetically,” said Executive Director Saddler Taylor. “Certain types of lighting, particularly incandescent bulbs, create a tremendous amount of heat and can damage objects over time. LED lights last longer, are more efficient, and produce very little heat, so they serve a very practical purpose.”
Thanks to diligent teamwork, the museum received its lighting overhaul in less than three months.
To see the new look, watch the full episode:
CES Employee Spotlights
Women in the Industry: Linda Mai
When CES Nashville North District Manager Linda Mai joined the electrical industry, she was determined to one day become her own boss. Education and a willingness to take a chance with CES helped her achieve her dream. Today, she manages over 30 employees across seven branches at CES.
“CES lets you make your branch whatever you want to make it,” said Mai. “You can stock your inventory how you want and come up with your own solutions on a daily basis. It’s just so flexible to work for them; it’s the best thing next to having your own company.”
She also shared her keys to excellent customer service: “Always put the customer first, always listen, and always be honest.”
To find out more about her journey and industry advice, watch the full episode:
Celebrating Long Careers at CES Monroe
At the recent 25th-anniversary celebration for CES Monroe, three CES veterans also celebrated their considerable experience and contributions.
Branch Manager Jamie Long started his remarkable career with CES 24 years ago. Outside Sales Representative Tim Brown has an impressive 18 years in the electrical industry. And District Manager Scott Broome leads multiple branches with an exceptional 23 years at CES.
The branch also showed off its new remodel at the celebration event, which featured a great turnout from the community.
“I’m excited to give back to those who have supported us along the way,” said Long. “It feels good to have customers, vendors, and everybody from CES here. I’ve built relationships that I feel will last a lifetime.”
To learn more about their careers and see the branch’s new look, watch the full episode:
CES Fort Myers Family
District Manager Jason Ford joined CES more than eight years ago. Since then, he’s proudly watched five relatives join the company after him. And they’ve all worked at CES Fort Myers, creating a literal family atmosphere.
“I started five years to the day after my dad started,” said Operations Manager Nathan Ford. “It’s been great. We’ve been super busy, and our numbers keep growing.”
“There’s so much potential to grow and learn as a worker and person,” added Outside Sales Rep Jordan Vititoe. “All of us have goals to move up in the company. We watched my father work hard and move up, taking a small branch and making it one of the top branches in Florida. He showed us what could be done at CES and inspired us.”
To hear more from the family, watch the full episode:
Make-A-Wish® Contributions
CES Highland, CES East Las Vegas, and CES St. Augustine
CES Highland celebrated its grand opening with the tight-knit Indiana community. More than 100 people and over 20 manufacturers helped welcome the new branch. And together, they raised over $800 for Make-A-Wish®.
“I’m proud to include Make-A-Wish because what they do for children is incredible,” said Branch Manager Jason Markase. “Our company has a department that specifically manages charity work, CES Cares, and I think that’s a really great thing that we offer.”
CES East Las Vegas also held its grand opening, where customers stopped by to meet Branch Manager Casey Williams and his team. This branch also raised funds to help grant wishes to children with critical illnesses.
“Raising money for Make-A-Wish is a great feeling, and I always involve them when we’re hosting an event. I want to make sure that Make-A-Wish is the real winner,” said Williams.
And CES St. Augustine in Florida raised donations for the nonprofit too, as it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
“CES is very passionate about Make-A-Wish,” said Vice President of Operations Jim Lawson. “Every week, I see emails coming in about what people have done for their community.”
To learn more about each celebration, watch the full episodes:
Road to Connect
Learn how CES Connect 2022, the largest conference and counter day in City Electric Supply history, came together. More than 2,000 electrical professionals attended what Electrical Wholesaling called “one of the electrical industry’s biggest in-person events of the year!”
After canceling the event in 2020, CES team members worked even harder through COVID-19 to make sure that the 2022 event exceeded expectations.
Creative Director Juan Villalba said, “It’s a big challenge, but the benefits outweigh the challenges. It’s an opportunity to get everyone under one roof and celebrate because having over 600 branches in North America is a tremendous feat.”
But it wasn’t just a success for the electrical industry. CES raised over $3,000 throughout the event. Then, the social impact program CES Cares presented a check to MAW and granted the wish of Wish Kid Harper, sending her on her dream trip to Alaska.
To find out more about the hard work that brought Connect 2022 to life, watch the full episode: