Today is National Tradesmen Day, and the perfect day to close out our Construction Appreciation Week spotlight series with John Marshall, foreman on Modesto Executive Electric's project at Waterford High School.
On the Job at Waterfor High School
John leads the MEE crew at Waterford High School, overseeing the project's electrical work on campus. As one of MEE's most experienced foremen, John brings two decades in the trade to every job he leads, and Waterford is no exception.
John points to the Legacy Sports Complex in Tracy, California as the project he's proudest of, a two-phase job that ran from 2018 to 2020. "We did that in about, I think, 2018, 2020. It was a two-phase project," John said. "In 2018, we went through and did the infrastructure, all the underground conduits for each individual light, for the distribution panels, for the snack bar concession buildings and the restrooms, and for the shade structures. Then in 2019 to 2020, we went through and actually physically installed all the lighting." The project included 46 Musco lighting fixtures across eight soccer fields and five baseball fields. "The most challenging part was just getting all of the lights out to where they had to go."
Meet John
John Marshall has been in the electrical trade for about 20 years. He got his start almost by accident, helping a friend with acoustical ceiling work one summer and watching the electricians on-site, figuring the job looked easy. "I looked at their pay rate, and I thought, 'Oh, I could do that.' Yeah, I was drastically wrong about that," John said. "There's a lot more to their job than just what you see."
Two decades in, what keeps John in the trade is what the work builds for the community around it. "I love electrical, especially the stadium lights, because of the joy it brings to the kids that get to play on the football field," John said. "I've had experience of both being a player on the field and being a parent in the stand, and I just really like what it brings. To know that generations will be out here playing under these lights is what does it for me."
A Word for National Tradesmen Day
National Tradesmen Day, established in 2011, honors the men and women whose skills and hard work build and maintain the roads, schools, water systems, and power grids we all depend on. As experienced tradespeople retire, demand for the next generation of electricians, plumbers, and carpenters keeps growing, making the trades one of the most in-demand career paths today.
John sees that opportunity firsthand on his own crew. "Everybody's been so college-driven these past years," John said. "We have a gentleman on our crew that came in, he's 23 years old, and he's making over $100,000 a year. He's recently purchased a home and has vehicles, and he's just enjoying life without having to go into debt for 10 years paying off for four years."
Thank You to Our Whole Crew
Today we're recognizing John Marshall, and also taking a moment to thank all four foremen we've spotlighted this week: Fabian Cervantes at Campus Park Elementary, Jeff Bordona at Central Valley High School, Kevin Dias at Grace M. Davis High School, and John here at Waterford High School. Thank you to them, and to every skilled tradesperson on the Modesto Executive Electric team, for the work you do to build our communities.
About Modesto Executive Electric
Modesto Executive Electric is a woman-owned electrical contracting company founded in 1989 by Tori Simpson. With over 37 years of experience and a focus on innovation, family-oriented culture, and value-driven service, MEE has grown into a trusted name in government, school district, and large electrical projects across the Central Valley, where clients always receive Superior Service and Executive Treatment.
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