For 24 Hour Emergency Services Call 1-833-787-CECI
For 24 Hour Emergency Services Call 1-833-787-CECI

Our History

1924
1924

In 1924, Willard J. Collins, the company’s founder, hired A.J. “Gus” Sanguinetti as his sole employee.

1929
1929

Gus Sanguinetti acquired full ownership of Collins Electrical on January 1st, 1929.

1929
1929

Collins Electrical’s first major project was the State Hospital in Stockton in 1929 which was followed by the Mendocino State Hospital in 1930.

1935
1935

Sanguinetti believed in having the best workers available. It was learned that he tolerated nothing but the best. He hired both John Nomellini at the age of 17 in 1935 and Henning Thompson at the age of 19 a few years later.

1946
1946

In 1946, Collins Electrical joined the National Electrical Contractors Association (N.E.C.A.).

1949
1949

The company was incorporated as Collins Electrical Co. on July 13th, 1949.

1952
1952

During the Korean War, the Stockton Office organized a marine division. This branch wired ships for Colberg Boat Works of Stockton who had a U.S. Navy contract. During this time, the company purchased Mapes Electric and opened a Sacramento Branch in 1952.

1953
1953

In 1953, CECI opened a branch in Merced to handle work located at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, CA.

1955
1955

In 1955, the Modesto Branch opened.

1956
1956

The Monterey Branch opened in 1956 and was located on Del Monte Blvd.

1957
1957

On April 23rd, 1957, the company’s name was changed to Collins Electrical Company, Inc. (CECI).

1958
1958

CECI celebrated 1958 with an all-time high revenue of $8,000,000. The company continued to expand its branch offices by purchasing Modern Electric in Fresno, CA.

1960
1960

Current Chairman of the Board Eugene “Gene” C. Gini was hired to work in the Stockton warehouse in 1960 before joining the apprenticeship program in 1961.

1966
1966

John Nomellini became President after Gus Sanguinetti’s passing in 1966.

1969
1969

Eugene “Gene” C. Gini worked as the Modesto Branch Manager for 21 years from 1969-1990.

1970
1970

In 1970, CECI was named among the top ten electrical companies in the nation by “Engineering News-Record” magazine.

1972
1972

The Monterey Branch was moved to Marina in 1972 and is still in the same location today located on Reservation Road.

1983
1983

Henning Thompson became President when John Nomellini retired in 1983.

1990
1990

Gene Gini was elected CEO and President of CECI in 1990 after serving as Modesto Branch Manager for 21 years.

2000
2000

CECI became a family-owned business in 2000 when Gene’s sons, Kevin and Brian, purchased the stock of Charles Plaster, one of the two remaining minority shareholders. The corporation redeemed the stock of minority shareholder Larry Schlenker on the same day.

2002
2002

Fresno Branch opened in 2002.

2007
2007

In 2007, Collins Electrical Company, Inc. broke the $100 Million ceiling for the first time.

2009
2009

CECI's Solar Division began in 2009. Craig Gini was appointed as Renewables General Manager to manage the solar division. This division has been involved in the negotiation and construction of over 450 photovoltaic installations throughout Northern, Central, and Southern California since its inception.

2010
2010

In 2010, Gail Wardell became the first female Chief Financial Officer in the company's history.

2014
2014

Dublin Branch opened in 2014.

2016
2016

On October 1, 2016, Craig Gini acquired a minority share in Collins Electrical.

2019
2019

Kevin and Brian Gini were appointed Co-CEOs of Collins Electrical Company, Inc. in 2019. Gene Gini becomes the Chairman of the Board.

2019
2019

In 2019, CECI begins its Lean Transformation Journey through the Collins Business System (C.B.S.).

2020
2020

Collins Electrical's Corporate branch became California Green Business Certified in 2020.

2020
2020

In 2020, CECI celebrated 44 employees with 20+ years of service.

2020
2020

In 2020, Gene celebrates his 60th anniversary – the oldest tenured male employee of CECI – Dianne Gini celebrates her 50th anniversary as the oldest tenured female employee.

2020
2020

Collins Electrical receives the 2020 Top Solar Contractor in the U.S. award from Solar Power World.

2021
2021

CECI ranked #12 Top Solar Contractor in California and #73 in the U.S. out of over 400 companies on the 2021 Top Solar Contractors list.

2021
2021

CECI celebrated 100 employees with 10+ years of service in 2021.

2022
2022

Collins Electrical earned the award of Top Specialty Contractor from ENR California in 2022.

2022
2022

In 2022, CECI broke the $200M revenue ceiling with $230 million. CECI also donated $535,576 throughout the Northern and Central Valley in California through employee raised, business partner donations, and CECI charitable giving.

2022
2022

Collins Electrical ranked #25 in California for Top Solar Contractors by Solar Power World in 2022.

2023
2023

The Dublin branch relocated to Livermore in July 2023.

2023
2023

CECI ranked #48 Top 50 Firms in Electrical in the U.S. and #162 Top 600 Specialty Contractors in the U.S. by ENR in 2023.

2023
2023

Collins Electrical Company, Inc. ranked #46 Top Electrical Contractors in the U.S. by EC&M in 2023.