• Posted: March 19, 2021
• better careers, Moran Electrical Contracting, Pullman National Monument

Eileen Moran and her husband, Jim, didn’t start out wanting to be entrepreneurs in the electrical construction industry. However, when the opportunity presented itself, they thought they would give it a try and see where it led them. “We decided we’re going to do it while the kids were young and we were still young,” Eileen said. 

What ended up being a “let’s see how this works out for us” moment almost 27 years ago has ended up being a real power player in what can be the tough world of electrical construction. Coming from an auditing and accounting background, Moran didn’t let her lack of experience in the industry stop her from facing the challenge head-on. “I had to do a deep dive,” Eileen said. “It was just myself and my husband pulling together all the paperwork. But you just keep learning as you go.” 

While it started with a learning curve, Moran Electric is now a well-built machine. Employing between 15 – 20 IBEW Local 134 electricians during peak season and five full-time office employees, Moran Electric has found a niche for themselves in the industry with schools, senior living centers, and multi-unit residential facilities. 

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Eileen appreciates her unique place amongst electrical contractors. “There’s still not a lot of interest for women to join the construction trades, but hopefully that will change,” she said. “I’d like to share this with high school students and say [to girls], ‘You should join the construction industry. You make a decent amount of money, and the opportunities to grow into a supervisory or management role are widely available. 

While her husband, Jim, takes care of the operational side as a former IBEW Local 134 electrician, Eileen is the one who makes sure that everything and everyone is running smoothly and projects are finishing on time to everyone’s satisfaction. Because of her role in the company, she is getting ready to apply for WBE certification in Cook County. As the majority shareholder in the family business, it falls on Eileen’s shoulders to make sure the work that is being done meets the high standards of general contractors and protects their good reputation.

“We give it our best shot,” Eileen said. “I feel we have a strong reputation as far as being able to work with the General Contractor, partnering with them and making sure the job gets done on time.” 

One current project that they are in the process of completing is the Pullman National Monument in the heart of what is known as the Pullman neighborhood. This structure will later serve as a museum and visitor center where visitors can learn about one of the first planned industrial communities in the United States. “The structure is over 130 years old,” Moran said. “It’s a major rehab as it was basically a gut job. We are redoing all the electric, including a completely new electric service and distribution, controlled exhibition lighting and rewiring feeds and control for a new clock tower replica.”

Eileen looks back on everything the Moran team has accomplished in almost three decades with pride. “It’s not easy; it’s a tough industry,” she said. “There are a lot of moving parts, and you have to be able to stay on top of it all. But we have a good group of field personnel we can rely on. I can look back on that and say, ‘Yeah, I’m proud of that.’”

For more information about Moran Electrical Contracting and to see more projects they’ve completed across Chicago, you can visit their website and check out their impressive list of clients.