Company
Overview
Next year, Nardone Electric celebrates a milestone anniversary, turning 40. Back in 1984, when the average new house cost around $87,000, interest rates topped 10%, and a kilowatt of electricity cost $0.082, Nardone Electric was born.
Opening its doors in Medford, literally working out of his basement, Steve at age 24, started taking on small residential and commercial projects. Constantly looking for the next job by walking on job sites during the day and visiting residential clients at night.
40 years later with the help from his brother and business partner Gerald this family-owned business has grown substantially with a modern solar powered HQ in Woburn, a large fleet of readily recognized trucks, and expanding its services and footprint dramatically.
Our History
Q&A With Steve Nardone
Q. Steve, what made you want to go out on your own, way back in 1984?
The need to be in control of my own destiny and to create a company with values that I have learned growing up and working for someone else.
Q. Did you ever imagine how much the company and reputation were to grow?
We had no thoughts of how much the company would grow. Our reputation seemed to grow with the company and the company grew with our personal values guiding the way.
Q. What lessons or values did you learn from your parents that carry through to this day?
Our parents did not have to say much but rather we learned from their actions, and we unknowingly tried to emulate them. Be humble, be nice and treat people, employees, and clients as we would want to be treated.
Q. Describe some of the milestones, accomplishments and even struggles you faced on your journey to being one of the regions’ mid-size and well respected commercial electric contractors?
I have always said that everyday there is a new challenge to meet and the feeling of just starting over again is constant. Every phone call and every person walking in my door has a unique issue or discussion than the other. Being able to adapt is a gift I would say.
Q. What new services do you offer that weren’t part of your repertoire in 1984?
For the first 15 – 20 years we did not offer service to our clients and only wanted to focus on new projects and renovations. Now our company is fully equipped and capable and offers continued service on all projects that we complete. This includes: 24-hour electrical service, Life Safety, and generator. Our entire team works very hard at servicing our clients for the long term.
Q. You have employees who have been with you for more than 25 years. But hiring must be a struggle. How do you lure and keep top talent?
Maintain mutual respect with all employees. Invest in them with training and other alike tools they may require to be the best they can be. Always remember that each employee has a family or someone that relies on them for income.
Q. The traditional gift for a 40th anniversary is Ruby. As a winemaker in your limited spare time, are you planning a special ruby-colored wine to celebrate your anniversary?
Red wine is our go-to vintage although we have dabbled in whites. It will be one of our red grape selections that will serve for our 40th.
Q. What will the next 40 years bring?
Haha – hopefully slow and positive growth like the first 40 have been but this will rely on the next generation!
Steve Nardone
Biography
Steve was destined for a career working with his hands, and his entrepreneurial spirit. Before the eligible age of getting his driver’s license, he would tinker in the family garage under the watchful eyes of his dad. He rebuilt a 1970 El Camino, as it was the proper form of transportation for his paper route. Steve went on to graduate from Medford Vocational Technical High School and became an apprentice electrician for a local company. After a few years, with his newly minted electrician’s license in hand, his entrepreneurial passion took over and Nardone Electric was born.
At the age of 24, the year of 1984 was a very busy year for Steve; starting a business, building a new home and getting married. Growing his residential and then commercial client list he, alongside his brother and business partner Jay, worked tirelessly, as expansion followed. Originally working out of his home basement, they soon outgrew a small mechanics shed they had converted to their headquarters in Medford, MA.
For nearly 40 years Steve and the Nardone family have grown and nurtured the family business. Though now much larger than the company’s modest early years, Steve still credits his father’s instilled work ethic, great family support, and most of all; the dedication from his employees whose hard work, and attention to detail, have fueled the company’s growth. As Steve says to anyone on staff: his door is always open to them. The current headquarters in Woburn, MA houses all that is needed for running a large regional commercial electrical services company.
Steve knows the future of the company remains bright. One day the next generation of Nardone’s will keep the company growing and continue to expand its offerings. The company is now very much into green tech, offers national generator sales and installations, and keeps its unwavering commitment to family, community, and the industry. Steve’s wife has worked in the company since 1984 and currently handles payroll. Two of his three children work in the company full-time as well.
Steve and Nardone Electric are members of ABC, ASM, MECA, and support many other local causes as well as foundations. Steve still finds time to tinker on cars, like his dad’s 1962 T-Bird. He spends his infrequent days off with family on Cape Cod.
Gerald Nardone (J) - Vice President
Biography
Alongside his brother Steve and their dad, J joined the start-up firm nearly 40 years ago. J wears several hats at Nardone including leading the growing Design/Build Estimating team and supports the operational needs of the multi-division commercial electrical contracting company that bears the family name. He also watches over the generator group where the firm designs, installs and maintains commercial and select residential generators in 50 states. J sees a lot more design/build projects in the future as well as more personal attention with clients as complicated new technologies and services become the norm.
Growing up in Medford, J calls Winchester home where he has served on the building committee for almost 2 decades. He also helps build sets for the local cooperative theatre, and enjoys cooking BBQ, wine making, and tinkering on his classic motorcycles. He spends weekends on Cape Cod when time permits and has two daughters and a son. J is also a member of the Middlesex County Deputy Sherriff Association.
