91视频

Eric Martinez began his career as an electrician just out of high school, gaining experience in commercial, industrial and public works projects early on.

鈥淢y parents were both hard workers and instilled the same hard-working traits. They insisted I learn a trade or go to college,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was not bound for college, so I pursued a career in the electrical field. I was accepted into the NECA/IBEW electrical apprentice (program) at the age of 19 and received my electrical license five years later. That was a long time ago.鈥�

After a few years as a journeyman electrician and married with a young family at the time, Martinez went to work for the City of Portland for 17 years. He started out constructing traffic signals and streetlights before going on to inspecting them during his last couple of years with the city. About three years ago, Martinez began studying for the exam to obtain his Supervising Electrician license.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenging exam and the passing rate is very low. After extensive studying I was able to obtain the license. The Supervising Electrical license is required to start your own electrical company,鈥� he noted. 鈥淥nce I received that license, it opened up additional doors and opportunities.鈥�
Martinez started Nexus Electrical Group in June 2020 and now has three employees. He specializes in commercial and industrial projects and said he appreciates the variety and challenges that come with owning his own firm.

鈥淲hat I like most about it is the variety of scope. Today I was working on a nursery out in the country and next week I鈥檓 going to be working at a large treatment plant. After that, I鈥檒l be working at Portland International Airport,鈥� he said.

Martinez added that through his membership in NAMC-Oregon, he is seeing a shift in the number of large contractors who say they support diversity, equity and inclusion and then actually follow through with action.

鈥淲hat I鈥檝e seen with Nate, James and Molly has been phenomenal with their approach to creating opportunities. They鈥檝e taken a more aggressive approach in asking for accountability with the larger organizations and general contractors,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f they鈥檙e going to talk the talk, they need to walk the walk.鈥�

Martinez also credits a mentor with Oregon Electric Group who has helped him improve the way he does business, and he advised other small business owners to look for similar support.

鈥淢entors are big. Don鈥檛 be scared to reach out to different organizations and ask for advice from other successful individuals in your field. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for advice from people you look up to in your industry,鈥� he said.