Customer Spotlight Erickson-Hall Construction Company Interviewed by Tom Rowden
Our relationship with Erickson-Hall Construction Company began in 2010 when Lakeland Village Middle School Conversion in Lake Elsinore was awarded to Champion. One year later, Erickson-Hall gave us the opportunity to partner on Lincoln Elementary School – a ground up elementary school in Anaheim. From that point on, our relationship with Erickson-Hall blossomed from a contractor relationship to a collaborative partnership and has been a blessing to Champion ever since. Erickson-Hall’s integrity and desire to treat all owners and subcontractors alike, fairly, while providing opportunities for all parties to be successful is rare in this industry.
Erickson-Hall – The Beginning
Mike Hall and Dave Erickson founded Erickson-Hall 23 years ago with a desire to provide solutions for owners in the planning stages of projects in a way that reduced cost to the owner, while providing the desired product that met the intended schedule. Coming with heavy experience from the Navy and school industry, Mike and Dave pooled their knowledge and resources to create a collaborative, talented, and innovative culture that nurtured teamwork from the owner to the subcontractors. As the markets shifted throughout the years, Erickson-Hall found their skills best fit for the K-12 market. Today, 80% of Erickson-Hall’s work is in K-12 construction while still performing in the higher education and public safety markets.
The Story of Mat Gates – President of Erickson-Hall
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Mat Gates, President of Erickson-Hall, to learn more about their culture and why Erickson-Hall does what they do. Mat told me a story of a project at Hermosa Beach that illustrates the collaboration and innovation Erickson-Hall brings through relationships, pre planning and coordination. The site preparation to build a building at one of the school sites was going to cost over three million dollars and take an exorbitant amount of time. Mat Gates brought in construction engineering company, Hayward Baker Inc., as an expert in the matter to consult with Erickson-Hall and the district. I was really impressed to learn that through this forward-thinking partnership, Erickson-Hall saved the district over one million dollars and was able to build the project under budget and meet the schedule.
Mat began his path to Erickson-Hall in 1988 as a laborer for Douglas Barnhart with Dave Erickson as his Construction Quality Control Manager. When the project ended, there was a slowdown in work and Mat was laid off. Mat went back to school and kept in touch with his coworkers from the field. After he graduated, Mat got in touch with Dave Erickson and he hired Mat as a Project Engineer for Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. Over the years there were many changes, and everyone went their separate ways. In 1998, Dave Erickson and Mike Hall started up Erickson-Hall and were looking to hire. There was no question about it when Mat applied. He was hired as a Project Manager to run construction management projects, general contractor projects, design-build projects and eventually lease-leaseback projects. Mat progressed through the ranks and early in 2021 was named President of Erickson-Hall.
An Extension of the Team
Mat Gates’ story is a testament to the opportunities Erickson-Hall provides to its people. The heart and character of Erickson-Hall is their desire to train their people and provide career paths for those with the right attitude and skillset. As President and an owner of Champion Electric Inc., the family culture Erickson-Hall created through their mission and character of the company is very similar to our story. When there is symmetry between company values and purpose, the company relationship grows to more than a partnership but an extension of the team. It has been a pleasure and a blessing working with Erickson-Hall for the past 11 plus years and I look forward to being a part of what Mat Gates and Erickson-Hall does in this industry.
Thank you, Mat Gates, for your time with this interview. If you are a client and would like to be featured in our next newsletter, please contact us.
We are finishing out the year with a different type of project than you are used to seeing for our #FeaturedProject. Take a look at the brand new, built from the ground up convenience store and fueling station we are completing for Soboba Economic Development Corporation. This is our second project with W.E. O'Neil. We are not completing the electrical on the fueling system but we are including new utility connections.
This project had such an aggressive schedule that we had to begin underground work without having a completed design from the fueling contractor. To add fuel to the fire, some additional last minute changes were made and the scope was adjusted yet our Champion team was still able to complete everything and kept the project moving within the schedule.
The Soboba project has been Andrew Cruz's first deep underground project as a Foreman. He has stepped up to the challenge, thanks to the support of Field Superintendent, Anthony, and got the electrical room knocked out, navigated So-Cal Edison's requirements for the new utility connections and all underground conduits ended up right where they needed to be. Foreman Andrew Cruz and his crew's work has been super clean, and coordination with other trades and the fueling contractor has been going great. Nice work team!
Owner: Soboba Economic Development Corporation Estimator: Mike McMullen; Project Manager: Roger Hernandez;
Foreman: Andrew Cruz; Crew Size: 2-4
Click here for previous #FeaturedProjects
We’re excited about 2022 and as a “Thank You!”
for more than 30 years of business we have a special offer for you. Save 22% on Annual Electrical Maintenance and System Check for 2022
Annual Electrical Maintenance and System Check $195 (Regularly $250)
It is so easy to forget about our home’s electrical system until it stops working. Did you know electrical systems require testing/inspection and maintenance, regularly, for safety?
When there is an electrical failure in your home, the “breaker box” or panelboard on the side of your house, along with the GFCIs (the plugs with reset buttons in bathrooms and kitchens), are designed to turn off the power immediately. This prevents fires, electric shock, and large system failures that would mean being without power until repairs are made.
These failures are often from defective appliances or light fixtures and occasionally a failure of the system itself like plugs, switches and breakers.
Failures will happen, so it’s imperative that the system “fails properly”.
An “Annual Electrical Maintenance and System Check” is the best way to assure your system will protect you.
This Service Includes:
Main Panelboard – Inspect, torque, and clean.
GFCI Plugs - Inspect and test
GFCI Breakers - Test at outlets
AFCI Breakers - Test at outlets
Switches - Inspect wear and damage
Plugs - Inspect wear and damage
General inspection of electrical system for code compliance
Provide free estimate of any repairs identified during service
Give us a call and schedule our Annual Electrical Maintenance and System Check today!(951) 276-9619 or servicerequest@championelec.com
*Not included: repairs, written report, crawl in attic, or sub floor. For homes up to 2800 sqft. City of Riverside residences only. Offer good until 12/31/2022.
Ask about purchasing a yearly service for a 40% discount!!
Electrical Safety Tip: It’s okay to reset a breaker or a GFCI when something fails, if your system is maintained properly. If it trips a second time, call a licensed contractor with certified electricians, to prevent further damage or something worse.
We are overjoyed to share that our very own, Rick Glancy, has retired. He started his electrical career 19 years ago as an apprentice, graduated as an electrician and has ran so many projects as a Foreman for us that we can't even count. He is the life of the party and the light of the jobsite. We are so proud of all you have accomplished with us.
"There are so many stories we can tell about Rick. He is so charismatic, funny, and always the life of the party. What will stick with me and have a lasting impression is Rick’s heart. Rick has always been relationally driven and truly cares about the people in his circle of influence. He is always there to lend an ear and encouraging word to those who need it. And he takes pride in helping others reach their potential in their careers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Congratulations Rick on your retirement! You have been a blessing to Champion and I value our friendship. Cheers to this next chapter in your life."⠀-Tom Rowden
#RetirementRick #ChampionRetirement
Champion has been proudly providing residential, commercial & industrial electrical to
Southern California since 1991.
COVID-19 Message:Champion Electric Inc. is OPEN and will continue to provide the same electrical service we have been providing since 1991. We are taking recommended precautions and increasing sanitation efforts to ensure the safety of our customers and our electricians. SAFETY is our #1 focus! We are here for YOU and will continue to meet your electrical needs even during this difficult time.
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