A History to be proud of
Our HistoryOver a Century of Success
In the late 1800s – Bringing Electricity to American Homes
MYR Group’s oldest subsidiary, The L.E. Myers Co. (L.E. Myers) was established in 1891. The company’s founder, Lewis Edward Myers, was a salesman for the American inventor Thomas Edison, who dreamed of making the new, modern convenience of electricity available and affordable to American homes and businesses. Myers founded L.E. Myers in Chicago, Illinois, where he landed his first street lighting job and went on to building the foundation for a long and successful business venture in electrical construction.
In the 1900s – The Industrialization of America
Throughout the early 1900’s, L.E. Myers played an instrumental role in building the nation’s electrical infrastructure – a crucial development to the industrialization of America. The company established a strong presence and industry reputation, especially throughout the Midwest.
Early 1900s – The Invention of Christmas Lights
In 1912, Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc. (Sturgeon Electric) was founded by David Dwight “D.D.” Sturgeon in Denver, Colorado. Legend tells that D.D. Sturgeon invented colored Christmas lights in 1914. To cheer his ailing son, Sturgeon dipped ordinary lightbulbs in paint, strung them on a cord, and hung them on a tree outside his home near his son’s bedroom window. Word spread quickly, and folks came from miles away to view the lights outside the Sturgeons’ home. Today, the company donates time and services for various outdoor lighting displays throughout Denver.
In the 1920s – A Boy with a Plan
Edward S. Boulos was only 13 when he launched his electrical career in Portland, Maine. After founding the E.S. Boulos Company (E.S. Boulos) in 1920, the company expanded quickly, and by 1947, Boulos operated an expansive warehouse and elegant showroom where the company displayed a full line of radios, light fixtures, and household appliances.
In the 1940s – Powering Military Industries
In 1940, C. Allen Harlan founded Harlan Electric Company (Harlan Electric) in Detroit, Michigan. In its infancy, Harlan Electric quickly earned an enviable reputation for quality construction and value engineering. When the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the country into World War II, the build-up of military capabilities began in earnest. Harlan Electric was awarded a contract with the American Propeller Corporation to perform the electrical scope for a new facility to support the wartime effort.
In the 1950s – Tapping into Transmission Line Construction
In 1953, L.E. Myers built the nation’s first 345kV transmission lines for the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation. As the decades progress, the company pioneers the use of helicopters for hauling and installing transmission towers.
Early 1970s – Moving Business North
Western Pacific Enterprises, Ltd. (WPE), MYR Group’s Canadian subsidiary, began in 1973 in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Founders Dieter Fettback and Ernie Moore mortgaged their homes to start an electrical contracting company that has grown to one of the largest contracting firms in western Canada thanks to its founders’ unwavering vision to deliver efficient and safe commercial, civil, and industrial assignments.
Mid-to-late 1970s – Boosting Capabilities in Substation Construction
In 1977, Great Southwestern Construction Inc. (Great Southwestern) opened its doors as a family-owned business founded by Bob Martinez in Castle Rock, Colorado. Great Southwestern earned its reputation as a trusted contractor by specializing in power delivery projects throughout the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain region. By the mid-1980s, the company was awarded a substantial contract for work associated with the Central Arizona Irrigation Project, paving the way for rapid growth, especially in substation construction.
In the 1980s – Starting Small
Huen Electric’s humble beginnings date to 1983, when founders Mike Hughes and Jim McGovern launched the company in Chicago with nothing more than a rusty pickup truck, a small cache of tools, and a tiny office filled with a card table and chairs. By the early 1990’s Huen Electric was performing electrical installations at many Chicago landmarks, including Wrigley Field, the Sears Tower, and the Navy Pier.
Early 1990s – Premier Provider of Energy in California
CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc. was founded by Steve Watts and opened for business in 1990 in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Since then, the company has emerged as a full-service leader in highly technical and innovative electrical design and construction, with a reputation as a premier provider of renewable energy development, installation, and maintenance.
Mid 1990s – The MYR Group Family is Born
By the 1990’s, L.E. Myers’ desire to expand operationally and geographically culminated with the acquisitions of Sturgeon Electric and Harlan Electric. In 1995, MYR Group Inc. (MYR Group) was established as the holding company of L.E. Myers, Sturgeon Electric, and Harlan Electric and grew to one of the largest holding companies of specialty electrical contractors in the U.S. and Canada.
In the 2000s – MYR Group Goes Public
MYR Group went public in 2008, trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol MYRG. As growth is a key part of MYR Group’s strategy, the company acquired Great Southwestern Construction, Inc. in 2000, E.S. Boulos Company and High Country Line Construction in 2015, Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. in 2016, Huen Electric in 2018, and CSI Electrical Contractors in 2019.
In the 2000s – Larger and More Complex Projects
A major transmission build-out and modernization effort was under way in the U.S. with much of our nation’s infrastructure built in the 1940s and 1950s. MYR Group subsidiaries completed several significant projects during this time – most notably, at the time, the $232 million “Northern Loop” of the Maine Power Reliability Program (MPRP), the largest energy infrastructure project in state history.
In 2009 – Completing Complex & Renewable Transmission Projects
In 2009, MYR Transmission Services, Inc. (MYRT) was established to better meet the needs of clients constructing large and complex transmission projects. As the interest for a more sustainable future led by clean energy increased, the company rebranded to MYR Energy Services, Inc., providing specialized engineer-procure-construct (EPC) services on large transmission and substation construction projects and renewable energy project delivery, including utility-scale solar and energy storage installations.
In the 2010s – A Strong Player in the World of EPC
In 2013, MYR Group’s youngest subsidiary at the time – High Country Line Construction, Inc. (HCLC) – opened its doors in Morgan, Utah. Founder Clay Thomson grew the company from the ground-up by providing a full-range of capabilities related to transmission, distribution, and substation construction. Now a forceful player on EPC projects throughout the western United States, HCLC frequently partners with MYR Group subsidiaries on projects throughout the nation.
Today – A Proud Network of Companies
MYR Group subsidiaries have the experience and expertise to complete electrical installations of any type and size, providing services within two segments – Transmission & Distribution (T&D) and Commercial & Industrial (C&I). With thousands of skilled employees, extensive fleet resources, and strong financial positioning, we serve the utility, commercial business, renewable energy, and municipality markets throughout the United States and Canada.
Future – Well-Positioned for Continued Growth & Success
MYR Group has achieved more than a century of success by embracing smart technologies, strengthening our execution strategies, and investing in our people by continually expanding our training programs and building a culture of inclusion. As we continue to provide critical electrical infrastructure services that help power a clean energy future, our top priorities are unwavering: reduce our environmental impact, protect the wellbeing of our people, and support the communities where we live and work.