• Posted: January 29, 2019
• better careers, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Ken Bauwens

Cooperation and collaboration are two key attributes that have characterized Ken Bauwens’ successful career in the Chicago electrical industry. That’s obvious from the moment you learn his business title: co-president of Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors Inc. in Northbrook, Ill. Certainly, to hold that title, you have to be a great collaborator who believes in the spirit of cooperation.

Sharing the co-president title with Bauwens is Richard Jamerson. Since becoming co-presidents 14 years ago, the two men have taken the company that bears their names to greater success and prominence in the industry.

“Our fathers started the business together in 1974,” Bauwens says. “They have both since passed away, but Rick and I have continued to grow the company. We’re proud of the long-term relationships we’ve built with our clients. That’s how we’re carrying on our fathers’ legacy. They laid an incredible foundation for the company that really set the culture for the organization.”

Now the two co-presidents have something else in common to be proud of—they are both members of the Electric Association Hall of Fame. Jamerson was named to the Hall three years ago, and Bauwens has received that honor this year.

Bauwens and Jamerson became co-presidents after the death of Bauwens’ father, Howard. The two younger men had been vice presidents prior to ascending to that role, and they felt it would be most beneficial to the company if they continued with that same equilibrium.

“We are equal owners, so we didn’t want to put one of us over the other,” Bauwens explains. “We have different strengths—strengths that really complement each other—and that’s how we’ve been able to grow.”

Bauwens and Jamerson’s co-presidency works because of clearly delineated responsibilities.

“Most of my responsibilities lie with the operational side—overseeing project management, strategic planning and delivery of our services,” Bauwens says. “Rick’s responsibilities are more on the finance side. One of the things we’ve been working on is developing and growing the talent in the organization upward, showing them that there’s a path for advancement and professional growth.”

Currently, Jamerson & Bauwens has 35 people working in the office and upwards of 200 field electricians at any given time.

“We’ve expanded beyond our original market area of northeastern Illinois and Chicago, going into central Illinois and southern Wisconsin,” Bauwens says. “In addition to our office in Northbrook, we have another office in Urbana.”

Collectively the two co-presidents have served the Chicago electrical industry by involvement in the various associations, including the Electric Association and the Electrical Contractors’ Association.

“The majority of my work has been with benefit funds associated with the ECA and the electricians of IBEW Local 134,” Bauwens reports.

Currently he is chairman of the Board of Electric Insurance Trustees (EIT) for the EIT Benefits Funds, which is a jointly managed fund that provides health, welfare and pension benefits to the 14,000 electricians and retirees in Cook County. He succeeds Bill Divane, who retired in 2015 after 30 years as chair of the trust. Bauwens feels privileged to succeed Divane in that role.

“There are a few members of the industry whom I have learned from. Number one is my father. The next Bill Divane. Another is Mark Nemshick, who led the ECA, and is a fellow associate trustee, a mentor and a close friend.”

Bauwens credits Divane’s leadership as well as the partnership with Don Finn at Local 134 and EIT Administrator Sean Madix with giving the EIT its stability and success.

“We probably have one of the most solid benefit plans in the multi-employer world,” Bauwens says. “The success of the plans is largely a collaborative effort.”

Bauwens also has served on the Board of Directors for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to being a leading objective and independent global source of employee benefits, compensation and financial literacy education and information.

Nemshick, who retired from his position as ECA manager after 35 years, appreciates Bauwens’ tireless efforts in working on behalf of the industry.

“Ken is a very kind individual,” Nemshick says. “He’s very analytical, but also has a good sense of humor. He’s quick to volunteer and has taken on a number of worthwhile causes. He’s doing a great job on behalf of the EIT. His work has had a positive effect on the health and welfare of 50,000 lives.”

Additionally, Nemshick says Bauwens is a terrific family man. Bauwens and his wife, Karen, have four children (Lauren, Megan, Tim and Alex) and two grandchildren, ages 3 and 5. He and Karen enjoy traveling, with Sanibel Island being one of their favorite destinations. And like many in the electrical industry, Bauwens also enjoys golf. Bauwens has a number of extracurricular activities outside of his involvement with electrical industry organizations.

To keep abreast of what is happening in the construction industry, Bauwens is a member of the Chicago CoP (Community of Practice) for the Lean Construction Institute, the national organization for Transforming Design and Construction using the techniques and teaching from The Toyota Way.

Involvement with LCI is vital, Bauwens believes, because the design and construction industries are changing so rapidly.

“It’s always exciting,” he says. “There are new developments every day. The technology and innovative approaches to delivering construction are increasing exponentially—it’s a wave that we’re all riding.”

Bauwens gives back to the community through his involvement in board and foundation activities related to the healthcare industry. Over the course of 25 years, his involvement has expanded from one to 11 hospitals, with all of those facilities under the umbrella of Presence
Health (recently acquired by Ascension Health). Bauwens currently services as chair of the Presence Health Foundation Board of Directors.

In past years, he has served on the Board of Directors for the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, has chaired the Board of Directors for Catholic Health Partners Foundation, and was Development Council chair for St. Joseph Hospital.

Other community involvement activities include serving on the Board of Directors for the St. Anthony Hospital Foundation and participation in activities for the Northeast Illinois Council of Boy Scouts and the University Club of Chicago.

With such a busy schedule, Bauwens still finds time to participate in the various organizations and activities of the Chicago electrical industry. While other cities have local chapters of various industry organizations, Bauwens sees the camaraderie in the Chicago electrical industry as something quite unique.

“In Chicago, for some reason, we take it to another level,” he says. “We work together when it comes to advancing the industry, providing training and education to the contractor members. I’ve probably learned more from conversations with my fellow contractors and industry partners than anything else, and I’ve built a lot of friendships as well. I think that’s something very special.”