Pat Pfeiffer, 3rd Generation Pfeiffer Electric Owner
Pat Pfeiffer is the third generation of his family to lead Pfeiffer Electric (PE).
He’s worn almost every hat during his 38 years at the company. “I’m a product of IBEW Local 332 and joined in 1979 as a material handler.”
Founded in 1926 by Pat’s grandfather, PE will celebrate its 100th anniversary in just a couple of years. It started out as a GE appliance distributor. Pat’s grandmother helped with the appliance store part, and his grandfather ran the contracting part. Pat’s dad started working at PE in 1947, and Pat started in 1986 when he graduated from the apprenticeship. Numerous family members have been a part of the operation along the way.
Pfeiffer has a strong connection to 332. Pat’s brother Gerald was business manager for six years and president for 12 years. “Local 332 is an important partner for us,” said Pat. “I like the direction the IBEW is going. They seem to be thinking industry-wide and not just what’s good for them personally, which is refreshing.
“We’ve stayed small – we average around 40-50 employees. We value their opinions and expertise. In the world of all these big shops, PE knows each of them as a person, not just an employee number. We’ve got a lot of long-term employees – which is a good indication of how we treat people and how they treat us. We’re family. At the end of the day, that’s what makes us different.”
Garth Lewis | Foreman
“I’ve been an electrician for 24 years if you count my apprenticeship. I’ve worked for Pfeiffer Electric for 15 of those. I’m also second generation IBEW. My dad was an electrician for 40 years and worked for Pfeiffer for probably 32 of those.
“As an apprentice, I worked for Pfeiffer. Then I worked for a few other companies and turned out with SASCO. It was one of those things where I wasn’t trying to ride my father’s coattails.
“I’ve known the Pfeiffer family pretty much my entire life. It’s such a small company that Pat knows everybody from our apprentices to our superintendents by name. To be able to work for a company like that in this industry is special; I think the employees all really enjoy that part of it. There are a lot of people who have retired in the last five years, so we’re trying to get a younger group in to follow in our footsteps.
“As long as I’ve been here, it’s always seemed like the people who worked for PE are just good people all around. Everyone gets along well; everyone is hardworking; they all are good electricians. That makes it even more special. It says a lot for a company when you have employees who enjoy coming to work every day.”
Frank Roark | Journeyman
“I’ve been at Pfeiffer Electric for eight years, and in the electrical trade for 30. More than half was nonunion. I just got into the union about 10 years ago, which was probably the best move I’ve made in my entire life.
“Before going into the trades, I was in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic. My brother-in-law was an electrician and asked if I’d be interested. It was a nonunion shop. I started catching on, learning, and paying attention to what I was being taught.
“I started in residential. Then I graduated to commercial about 15 years ago. The nonunion shops would not tell you the truth about the union, so they could keep you. I was always kind of fearful; I didn’t do my homework, just took their word for it – they’re the bosses.
“Then, after some time, I said, ‘This isn’t working for me.’ In 2008, work got really bad for us, so I took a little time off. My brother in law got into the union and asked why I didn’t. I said they said I wouldn’t have work, which is a total lie. I went in, had all the hours I needed, and found wonderful people at the IBEW willing to embrace me.
“My favorite part about working here is that it’s never the same every day. I like getting involved with new people and things I wouldn’t have otherwise – and the camaraderie.”
Benjamin Morrison | Apprentice
“I spent nine years in the Air Force. After I got out, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I worked in law enforcement, and my coworker’s husband, who worked as a foreman, asked if I’d considered electrical work. He said I should apply.
“I didn’t know anything about unions, but they pulled me in. I’ve been here two years and just finishing up my second year of the apprenticeship. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.
“I really enjoy how the company is close-knit. The owner knows all of our names and asks about our wives and kids. Pfeiffer also works more in electrical service rather than big construction, so the work is always something different. I don’t know if there’s anything I haven’t touched yet.
“There are a lot of good things about being a 332 member. What I really like about our local is that the leadership is constantly looking for ways to make us competitive with nonunion and other unions, whether through certifications or broadening our spectrum of knowledge. There are all these labs everywhere in the new ETASV. Our members are always getting trained to be competitive in the marketplace. I really appreciate that.”
Cody Castro | Journeyman/Foreman
“I was born and raised in San Jose. I’ve been in the trades for 10 years. I was a janitor for seven years before becoming an electrician. That was right before my daughter was born, and it wasn’t going to pay the bills. I’ve always worked with my hands at home.
“I found an ad to become an electrician and started down the path. I went to a trade school before and couldn’t find a job nonunion that would pay me as much as I made as a janitor. So I signed up for the union, and about a year later I was accepted.
“I’ve been with Pfeiffer Electric since 2018. I’m a working foreman. Since we’re smaller, we jump around; we’ll be a journeyman one day, the next day a foreman. You’re never stuck doing the same thing over and over for months. There’s so much stuff to do; it’s always different. I’m at Stanford right now, but I jump to whatever they have available for me. I don’t say no. We’re a close group because it’s a smaller shop. It has a family feel.
“Local 332 has a great family feel, too. There’s this camaraderie. It feels good to be part of something that has a tradition in this area for 100+ years and to carry that on and be part of that.”
Ian McCaskill | Foreman
“What I like about our work is that it varies from day to day. We do service work for the most part. I like doing service work and troubleshooting. Working in a small family company creates camaraderie. You get to know people working side by side. With a small shop, there’s fewer people, you’re not just a number.
“Before becoming an electrician, I worked as a machinist for 10-15 years. Then I worked nonunion in the electrical trade before Pfeiffer Electric; I was organized in.
“The benefits of being a Local 332 member have been extremely good for me; that will absolutely help when I retire in a couple of years. I keep in touch with some other workers who are still nonunion, and it’s not looking as rosy for them. They’ve been paying for part of their insurance, and there is no retirement unless they do it themselves. I’d recommend getting into the union for anyone considering getting into the trades. The only way you’re going to make money nonunion is if you’re the owner of a shop.
“My advice for new apprentices is that there’s a great opportunity for a rewarding career if you like it. Show up and do your best; show interest in the job.”
Wilson Maier | Apprentice
“I’ve been in the electrical trade for about seven years now. I was doing nonunion; I became a member of Local 332 in April 2020. I’ve been with Pfeiffer for a little over two years.
“Before that, I was doing retail. A good friend of mine was doing electrical work and was telling me about it, asking if I was interested, for a bit prior to me joining. I was always interested in it. Finally I decided to give it a shot. Then this company hired me, and I just started learning.
“My favorite thing about working for Pfeiffer is the atmosphere, the people I work with. Every day is something new. We’re working on the Stanford campus, so every day we have a different little project. There’s a lot of learning, a lot of good experience.
“The best thing about being a Local 332 member is the brotherhood. Everybody’s friendly and willing to help you out. There are a lot of opportunities and events and fun things to do – all the barbecues, movie nights, the activities they do like the bike rides.
“My advice for new apprentices is to stay motivated. Keep working on your craft. You’re never going to learn everything, and you’re always learning something. Keep learning and trying your best.”
