In 1924, W.J. Collins, the company founder, hired electrician A.J. “Gus” Sanguinetti as his sole employee.
By the end of 1928, Sanguinetti acquired full ownership of the company.
Collins Electric’s first major project was the State Hospital in Stockton in 1929 which was followed by the Mendocino State Hospital in 1929.
In 1946, Collins joined the National Electrical Contractors Association (N.E.C.A.).
The company incorporated as Collins Electrical Co. on 9/13/1949.
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.
In 1953, CECI opened a branch in Merced to handle work at the Castle Air Force Base. A branch in Modesto was then opened 1955.
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 16 in 1955 and Henning Thompson at the age of 19 a few years later.
On 4/23/1957, the Company’s name was changed to Collins Electrical Company, Inc. (CECI)
The Monterey Branch became the second CECI branch in 1957 and was located on Del Monte Blvd.
CECI celebrated its 30th anniversary in 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.
Current CEO and President Eugene C. “Gene” Gini was hired to work in the Stockton warehouse in 1960 before joining the apprenticeship program in 1961.
John Nomellini became President after Sanguinetti’s passing in 1966.
In 1970, CECI was named among the top ten electrical companies in the nation by “Engineering News Record” magazine.
The Monterey Branch was moved to Marina in 1972 and is still in the same location today located on Reservation Road.
Henning Thompson became President when Nomellini retired in 1983.
Gene Gini was elected CEO and President of CECI in 1990 after serving as Modesto Branch Manager for 21 years.
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.
Fresno Branch Opened
In 2007, Collins Electrical Company, Inc. exceeds $100 M in revenue for the first time.
CECI solar Division began in 2009. This division has been involved in the negotiation and construction of over 450 photovoltaic installations throughout Northern, Central and Southern California since its inception.
In 2010, Gail Wardell is promoted to Chief Financial Officer.
Dublin Branch opens 2014
Kevin and Brian Gini Appointed Co-CEOs of Collins Electrical in 2019
Collins Electric is ranked #12 in California and #73 in the U.S. out of over 400 companies on the 2021 Top Solar Contractors list.
2020 Impact Report