For almost four decades, Gary Houston Electric Co. has provided central Arkansas with commercial and residential electrical contracting services. The company offers a variety of services, from whole-home generator installs and preventative maintenance to USB-C outlet installation, landscape lighting and more. The company has even built charging stations for electric vehicles.
The company is named for its founder, Gary Houston, who followed in the footsteps of his late father by becoming an electrician and started the company in 1975. Since then, the team of one has grown to about 60 employees, all in the Little Rock area. President Keith Weeks has been with the company for more than 30 years and worked his way up from apprentice to his current position.
“Our biggest accomplishment is our team as a whole here at Gary Houston Electric,” Weeks said. “Their growth and accomplishments have been nothing short of amazing to watch over the years, and I can say without hesitation that they are what I’m most proud of.”
Weeks joined the company at age 22, earning his journeyman’s license four years later. He then earned a master electrician license before moving into the office as an estimator. He held the position of vice president and now is the owner and president of the business alongside vice president and business partner Mitchell Shelby.
His style of leadership is built on adaptability and staying up to date on the changes in the marketplace. He said the electricians on the frontlines bring policies to life and praised his team, saying, “I could not do it without them, but they could all do it without me.”
According to Alicia Bardo, client relations manager, hiring a professional for projects that involve commercial, residential, new construction and custom lighting is important for a number of reasons. Among them is enjoying the peace of mind that comes with hiring people with the expertise and knowledge to deliver quality workmanship and customization and design efficiently and cost-effectively.
“Overall, opting for a professional for lighting projects can save time, reduce stress, and ensure that the end result is of high quality and meets the client’s expectations,” Bardo said.
She added what sets Gary Houston apart is personalized service, an experienced team, competitive pricing and attention to customer service.
“By combining these features, Gary Houston Electric sets itself apart from other electrical companies in the industry,” she said.
Those are just some of the reasons customers keep coming back to the team at Gary Houston, and the team is just getting started. The company is looking to expand services and invest in employee development in the coming years to further improve customer satisfaction.
“The majority of our work comes from repeat customers, whose relationships we strive daily to build and maintain,” Weeks said. “We’ve never lost sight of the fact that our customers are the ones that have made all of our accomplishments possible, and we want to serve them in a way that reflects that.”
It is not easy putting together a crack team given the shortage of skilled laborers in the electrical field. That has made it difficult to find qualified workers, Weeks said.
Keith Weeks
“Supply chain disruptions have been another huge challenge,” he said during a previous interview with Arkansas Money & Politics. “We’ve faced material shortages and price fluctuations that impacted project timelines and costs, but we are proactively addressing these challenges and adapting to changing industry trends.”
Through the years, there have been many ups and downs that have followed numerous changes to the industry, but Gary Houston Electric Co. has stood firm. Through it all, the company remains a provider of choice as it provides power solutions to central Arkansas residents and businesses, adapting as needed and learning from past leadership.
“If I needed to, I could call [Houston] today, and he would give me some wonderful advice,” Weeks said. “I would not be anywhere without him. Gary taught me to overprepare, and I have used that several times since. It always seems to work out.”
While looking to the future, it is important to remember the past, Weeks said, drawing on the lessons he learned from Houston to strengthen the business. Many of those lessons were about communication — presenting information to customers in a pleasant way using body language and gestures while taking note of nonverbal cues to give customers the best experience possible.
Even though it has nothing to do with wiring, amps and ohms, that consideration helps the company stand apart from others in the industry. Today, Weeks tries to impart this wisdom to the younger generation every time he gets a chance.
“The most important thing that Gary Houston Electric does is provide essential electrical services that contribute to the safety, comfort and functionality of homes, businesses and communities throughout the state,” Weeks said.
TOP FEATURE IMAGE: One of Gary Houston Electric Co.’s clients is Dust Bowl in downtown Little Rock. (Photos provided)
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