• Posted: August 29, 2023
• Black Business, Black Business Month, Black Business Owner, Black Electrical Contractor, Black Leadership, Chicago Public Schools, E. Wilson and Associates, IBEW Local 134, Lake Meadows, Minority Electrical Contractor, minority small contractor, Regents Park, Waddell Green

Waddell Green’s career as a Chicago union electrician started the same way as countless others — applying for the apprenticeship in a long line at the IBEW Local 134 union hall.

Starting as an apprentice on September 23, 1970, he then worked for a handful of contractors before he decided to explore the idea of contracting himself.

“I sat for my contractor exam in 1983 and passed. The next year I was invited in with some other guys to start a business,” Green said.

The company Green joined was named E. Wilson and Associates, named after one of the six partners, Ernest Wilson. The company did a variety of projects but steered clear of new construction due to difficulties competing in the bidding process.

“We felt that for a small contractor, especially a minority small contractor, it was usually a pretty fatal move to try to compete in the bidding process.”

Instead, E. Wilson and Associates focused on several maintenance contracts, one with Chicago Public Schools as well as with high-rise complexes like Lake Meadows and Regents Park.

Green’s most memorable projects

As an electrician, Green contributed to memorable projects in the Chicagoland area, such as the Bulk Mail Facility in Forest Park as a third and fourth-year apprentice, and the reconstruction of Midway Airport working for a contractor doing temperature controls. He also traveled to many jurisdictions throughout the U.S., including Alaska, for seven months to help with the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977. A project he called “the most enlightening experience of his career.”

As a contractor, Green remembers a special project where he installed track lighting at a Chicago art gallery down the street from Merchandise Mart. In addition to being personally pleased with the result, Green recalls a special conversation at the gallery opening.

“This guy said “I don’t know who did this lighting but he really did a nice job” and I said “that was me.” That really made me feel good.”

Though those two projects stick out in his mind, Green is most proud of his ability to impact someone’s life through mentorship.

“He was an empty vessel and wanted to learn the trade. I’ve done a lot of jobs where I feel good about the work I put in, but being able to have a positive impact on another human to the extent that I did — I feel most proud of that.”

The importance of business sense for electrical contractors

E. Wilson and Associates is no longer in business and Green reflects on the reasons why. He keeps returning to business basics.

“After our business disbanded, I went back to school to get a business degree. It helped me to understand and see what you have to do to be successful,” Green said.

Seeing the contracting electrical business through the eyes of an electrician, a business owner and a business school student gave Green a new perspective. He believes that many small contractors don’t spend enough time planning for success, sometimes even neglecting a business plan. He believes this makes success less tangible.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re not going to get there,” Green said.

He explained some of the major impediments to success for contractors who are starting out are the lack of adequate financing and organizational breadth and depth. For Black contractors, this is especially problematic due to institutional racism.

“Because of the lag effect between when labor and other job costs are expensed and payment for these expenses are received, many small contractors often are not able to sustain operations and consequently many have not survived. Often, the general and prime contractors are deliberately slow in paying their subcontractors, facilitating their demise. Profitability hinges not only having adequate finances but access to capital as well,” Green shared.

In order to succeed, Green feels it’s imperative for contractors to lay a strong foundation to support the myriad of tasks they will face running their business.

“Having a functional organization is of critical importance, which includes at the least: administration, engineering, marketing, operations and job management. Lastly, having clearly defined goals and objectives provides the underpinnings for all of the above,” Green said.

Future aspirations for new journeys

Currently retired, Green will admit he’s had a full career. Despite that fact, he can’t quell the fire inside him telling him he’s not done yet.

“I still have a desire to start back up. I haven’t done it, but I’m working on it. I haven’t been able to put together the team I need.”

Green’s path in the trade hasn’t been linear. However, it’s been rewarding and focused on continuous improvement through formal and informal education, a plan and a desire to keep contributing to the Chicago communities that raised him.