• Posted: September 29, 2023
• Anibal Gutierrez, better careers, better communities, better construction, Community Building, Fairfield Electric, IBEW Local 134, Manuel Campillo, National Hispanic Heritage Month

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re excited to highlight two inspirational leaders whose work is powering Chicago and empowering their communities.

Manuel Campillo’s story of perseverance

Manuel “Manny” Campillo is the founder and owner of Fairfield Electric, a certified minority-owned electrical contracting company. Despite facing challenges early in his career, Manny’s perseverance led him to find success in the electrical industry.

“I started working with my uncle in construction as a drywall installer… I remember those times because it was in the wintertime, the houses were cold, it was terrible,” Campillo recalled.

After working tough construction jobs and attending technical school, Campillo joined the electrical union as an apprentice. He worked his way up to foreman, project manager, and eventually started his own company.

Looking back at all his experiences, Campillo is most proud that through Fairfield Electric, he’s able to change people’s lives.

“I’m able to help people, I’m able to change their lives. Meaning that, I have the ability to give someone an opportunity for a career. Help them with their family by improving their quality of life,” Campillo said.

He aims to lead by example and inspire the next generation, including his 27-year-old daughter, Chelsey, and two young sons Jordan and Ethan, ages 11 and 12, to dream big. As a first-generation American whose parents came to the States from Mexico, Campillo encourages young Latinos to consider the building trades as a career option that provides “a bigger opportunity to grow” versus just getting a job.

Campillo also continues to pursue growth for Fairfield Electric and other signatory electrical contractors throughout Chicagoland.

“A lot of the companies that are doing solar power installations come from California, and they’re bringing non-union installers. I want to be able to change that, where our union electricians are the ones doing the technical installation. That’s one of the industry’s challenges, being able to bring in renewable energy, the charging stations, here to Chicago,” Campillo said.

Anibal Gutierrez turns pandemic ‘lemons’ into lemonade

Anibal Gutierrez is a card-carrying journeyman communication technician with IBEW Local 134. Working for a large cable company for 12 years, he was laid off during the pandemic. While unexpected, this setback motivated Gutierrez to finally explore joining the union electrical trade, something he’d considered for years.

“I’ve found appreciation for being worthy. Just because you know, through the work I’ve done in the last year, I was able to buy my house. I say it gave me that extra income for me to feel confident … becoming a journeyman has provided me a life that I honestly couldn’t imagine” Gutierrez said.

Beyond financial security, Gutierrez values the camaraderie on the job and knowing that the union truly cares about safety versus just productivity metrics.

Gutierrez’s best advice for young Hispanic people considering electrical work is to not to feel confined to one path.

“I don’t believe that going to college is the only way to get ahead in life. The trades are great. It’s free school and you don’t actually start paying while you go to school,” Gutierrez said.

He wishes he would have started his IBEW Local 134 apprenticeship years earlier. However, Gutierrez is proud to encourage former colleagues to explore the union career path that uplifted him.

At Powering Chicago, we’re inspired by leaders like Campillo and Gutierrez who are expanding access and opportunity in Chicago’s electrical construction industry. Their stories showcase the immense potential of our city’s diverse workforce. This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate these Latino role models and recommit to empowering all communities.