• Posted: September 23, 2025
• better careers, better communities, better construction, Chicago Electrical Contractors, Electrical construction company Chicago, Family-owned Business, Family-owned electrical contractors, Hispanic contractors in Chicago, Hispanic Heritage Month Chicago, Hispanic owned electrical contractors, IBEW Local 134, Torres Electrical Contractors, Union-trained electricians Chicago

Family, resilience, and hard work are central to both Hispanic Heritage Month and Chicago’s electrical construction industry. Those same values have guided Torres Electrical Contractors as it has grown from one man’s vision into a growing company serving some of the city’s most demanding projects.

From Solo Venture to Family Business

Nick Torres Sr. founded Torres Electrical Contractors in 2017 after a career spanning more than three decades in the electrical trade. Like many entrepreneurs, his start was humble: just one man with the skills, drive, and reputation to take on projects. His son Alex recalls that his father’s early years in business were a blur of long days, starting at 4:00 a.m. and stretching past 10:00 p.m., as he worked to build something lasting for the family.

His technical expertise came from years as an apprentice, foreman, and superintendent across Chicagoland. But running a business required more than field experience. Paperwork, licensing, bonding, payroll, and compliance were new challenges. What made the difference was the support of other contractors who shared advice and offered a helping hand when he needed it most.

“My first contractor, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, and specifically Howard Bauwens, entrusted me with leadership roles at a young age,” said Nick Torres Sr., Manager Member at Torres Electrical Contractors. “That confidence in me as a union electrician gave me the foundation to excel and ultimately build a company of my own.”

That combination of personal grit and community support became the foundation of Torres Electrical, a company rooted in loyalty, opportunity, and respect.

Growth and Change

From that one-person beginning, Torres Electrical steadily grew. By 2018, the company added staff and took on larger projects. As of 2025, the team includes a mix of experienced foremen, apprentices, and office staff.

For Torres Sr., success has never been measured only by headcount, but in the strength of his workforce. Many of the employees who started with him in the early years remain today, a testament to the family-like environment and opportunities the company provides.

“Professionally, ‘family’ extends beyond my household. Many of our team members have been with us since the beginning, and they are part of that family too,” said Torres Sr. “They bring expertise both in the office and in the field, strengthened by union training and education. That combination of personal leadership, union opportunity, and workforce loyalty defines Torres Electrical Contractors and enables us to perform at the level of much larger firms.”

A New Generation Steps In

As Torres Electrical grew, Nick Sr.’s sons, Nick Torres Jr., and Alex Torres joined the business, each bringing different backgrounds but the same dedication to the family legacy.

Nick Jr. spent over a decade in digital marketing and project management, including at Publicis, leading campaigns for Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies. In 2024, he joined Torres Electrical, initially wearing many hats before becoming Project Manager. Today, he oversees invoicing, accounts, IT systems, scheduling, and clerical operations, while also using his tech background to digitize company records through SharePoint, giving foremen and staff secure access to documents anywhere.

Alex initially pursued a career in physical therapy and worked in that field for a few years, but eventually gravitated toward hands-on labor. Seeing his father’s company grow, he decided to pivot. Today, he is an Apprentice Lineman with IBEW Local 9, helping expand Torres Electrical into infrastructure work, an area his father envisioned his sons leading while he focuses on the commercial side.

“What makes our company work is the respect we have for one another. My brother has the field experience, I bring more of the office background, and together we balance each other out,” said Nick Jr., Project Manager at Torres Electrical Contractors. “That respect carries over to how we treat our team and our clients.”

A Culture of Respect

Respect is a theme that runs through every part of Torres Electrical. Within the family, it means recognizing each other’s strengths whether in the office, field, or leadership and giving everyone space to contribute.

Among the workforce, it means valuing veteran journeymen and apprentices alike. “Our guys in the field are veterans,” Nick Jr. explains. “They’ve worked across different sectors, and they’re open-minded and hardworking.  Everyone knows what they need to do and executes it.”

That mindset builds trust between the office and field, ensuring projects run smoothly and clients receive the highest standards of safety and quality.

Heritage and Values

For the Torres family, Hispanic heritage directly shapes how they run their company.

“Growing up in a Hispanic household, we were taught the importance of family, hard work, and reliability. Those same values are at the forefront of how we run Torres Electric,” says Alex Torres, Apprentice Lineman at Torres Electrical Contractors.

Every year, the company organizes a team outing to a Chicago White Sox game during Hispanic Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to celebrate culture, thank their crews, and build camaraderie.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a month of great pride for us,” Alex continues. “It allows us to celebrate our culture proudly and honor the sacrifices, hard work, and resilience of our ancestors who paved the way for us.”

Capabilities and Complex Projects

Torres Electrical has grown into a trusted partner for projects across Chicagoland. The company specializes in:

• Underground electrical infrastructure
• Railroad traction power substation installation
• Fire alarm and life safety systems
• Lighting & controls
• Roadway and transit lighting
• Generators and backup power
  

Their experience includes work for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and both the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport sites, where safety, precision, and compliance are of the utmost importance.

“What sets us apart is not our size, but our people. Our employees are union-trained professionals skilled through IBEW and infrastructure locals who bring world-class education, training, and craftsmanship to every project,” said Nick Sr. “ Combined with our innovative use of technology, we consistently deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality results on time and on budget.”

Torres Electrical Contractors’ commitment to excellence is evident in the projects they take on. For Alex, one assignment was especially meaningful. 

“Updating the overhead lights on the Kennedy Expressway… I felt a deep sense of pride knowing that we played a role in modernizing and improving the lighting in our city’s infrastructure,” said Alex.

Community Commitment

Chicago gave Torres Electrical its start, and giving back remains part of their mission.

“Our company has deep roots in Chicago, and that connection has shaped how we operate today in the southwest suburbs,” said Nick Jr. “We’ve made it a priority to support our local community by hiring through IBEW local unions in the Chicagoland area, partnering with other small businesses, contributing to neighborhood projects, volunteering, or sponsoring local events.”

That focus on community also informs their advice to others. 

“Lean into both your personal strengths and the support of your community,” Nick Jr. advises Hispanic entrepreneurs. “Our culture places a big emphasis on family, hard work, and resilience, and those qualities are exactly what can set your business apart.”

Looking to the Future

The Torres family sees the company’s next chapter as both business expansion and family legacy.

“Our vision for the future is to build on the foundation our father created and continue growing the business as both a trusted contractor and a lasting family legacy,” says Nick Jr. “As we look ahead, our goal is to expand the business so we can take on larger projects in the City of Chicago while still staying rooted in the values that have made us successful.”

By blending decades of field experience, modern office systems, and the values of Hispanic heritage, Torres Electrical is positioning itself for growth while protecting the culture that makes it unique.Planning your next project? Find qualified electrical contractors, including organizations like Torres Electrical Contractors, through our Find a Contractor Tool.