Early Life & Foundation in the Trades
I was raised just outside of Fuquay-Varina, and my foundation in the trades started early. I grew up working alongside my dad, who was a mason, and my stepdad, who was a carpenter. In high school, I took multiple trade classes and often spent my time working with the instructors on their side jobs. I always knew I wanted to work with my hands and build something of my own.
After graduating, I didn’t have the financial means to attend a traditional college, so I decided to enroll in the industrial technology program at Central Carolina Community College, where I studied electrical, HVAC, and welding. While in school, I worked as a co-op electrician, going to class during the day and working in the field in the evenings. That’s where I really learned the difference between understanding something in a classroom and applying it in the real world.
Building My Expertise
I spent seven years working as an electrician and maintenance tech, earning my North Carolina Electrical License and building a strong foundation in industrial electrical systems, troubleshooting, and commercial wiring. After that, I took a position as a maintenance technician for a company named Cree that started the whole LED lighting industry, but I quickly realized I wanted to work for myself and build something of my own.
Starting Dawson’s Electric
In 2005, I started Dawson’s Electric with a pickup truck, a trailer, and a lot of determination. In the early days, I did everything, selling the work, completing the jobs, and making sure every customer was taken care of, while my wife, Nikki, ran the office. Early on we focused most of our energy on electrical wiring for new construction homes, remodels, and small commercial projects. We built the business on hard work, honesty, and doing what we said we were going to do.
During the recession of 2008 we did everything we could to just stay in business which caused
me to take on a lot of small homeowner repair or electrical service jobs which planted a seed in my mind for the future of Dawson’s Electric. In 2010 I earned my General Contractor’s License, which allowed us to expand into building custom homes in addition to our electrical work. As the company and employees grew, so did my vision for what it could become.
Growth, Team Building & A New Direction
In 2018, everything changed. We rebranded and began building a team of service professionals. Although we had years of electrical experience and many new construction electricians we had to train the customer service aspect of the job. In 2019, we made a shift toward residential service, allowing us to better serve homeowners and build long-term relationships in our community. That same year, we built and moved into our current office, which was a major milestone for me. It represented years of hard work and growth, and a commitment to continuing to invest in both our team and the customers we serve.
Expanding to Serve Our Community
After spending years building a strong foundation in the electrical trade, we expanded into HVAC in 2025 to better serve our customers and provide a more complete solution for their
homes. With that growth, we officially rebranded as Dawson’s Electric & Air, reflecting our ability to serve homeowners across both trades. Bringing on experienced leadership and building out that department was a natural next step, and it’s allowed us to continue raising the standard for service in our community.
Leadership, Culture & Building a Team
Today, Dawson’s Electric & Air has grown into a team of nearly 40 employees. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that success isn’t about doing everything yourself, it’s about building the right team. Early on, one of my biggest challenges was learning how to develop leaders and finding people who wanted a career, not just a job. That’s something we’ve worked hard to improve by creating clear pathways for growth, investing in training, and building a culture where people can succeed.
As a leader, my goal is to give people opportunities, to help them grow, provide for their families, and build a career they’re proud of. We focus heavily on our core values, communication, and doing right by both our team and our customers. At the end of the day, I want my employees to know that I care about them beyond work, and I want our customers to feel confident that they’re getting honest recommendations and quality service.
Expertise & Advice for Homeowners
From a technical standpoint, I’ve seen a lot of change in the electrical trade over the last 20 years. Homes today demand more power than ever before, and many older systems simply aren’t equipped to handle it. Some of the most common issues we see are aging panels, outdated wiring, and loose connections that can create serious safety concerns. A lot of homeowners don’t realize the importance of things like proper grounding, arc fault protection, or even knowing where their panel or GFCI outlets are located.
One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is hiring unlicensed contractors or choosing the cheapest option. In this industry, that can lead to serious safety risks or costly issues down the road. My approach has always been to educate homeowners, give them
options, and help them make the best decision for their home and their budget, whether that’s a simple repair or a long-term solution.
When I walk into a home, the first thing I do is listen. Every home and every customer is different, so it’s important to understand their concerns before recommending a solution. From there, I’m looking at the panel, the wiring, and the overall safety of the system, making sure everything is up to standard and capable of handling the home’s needs, both now and in the future.
Family, Community & What Matters Most
Our growth since 2025 has been exciting, but one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been sharing it with my son, Landon, who is now starting his career in the trades. It’s important to me that he learns the right way, starting with the work itself, leading by example, and understanding what it takes to build and manage a business.
Being a family-owned business isn’t just something we say, it’s how we operate every day. We celebrate wins together, support each other through challenges, and create an environment where people feel valued. That culture extends into how we serve our customers and our community.
Giving back is something that’s always been important to me. Whether it’s supporting the Special Olympics, which is personal to our family, hosting our “Stock the Bookbag” school supply drive, running our “Stuff the Pantry” Thanksgiving food drive, or supporting local schools and families during the holidays, we believe in showing up for the community that has supported us.
Outside of work, my family is everything to me. My wife and I have three kids, Cody, Kaylee, and Landon, and we enjoy spending time together in Surf City boating and fishing. I also enjoy hunting, especially taking trips with Landon.
Looking Ahead
When I look back, I never imagined Dawson’s would grow into what it is today. I just wanted to build a life for my family and live the American dream. Over the years, that vision has grown into
something bigger, a company that puts customers first, creates opportunities for employees, and makes a real impact in the community.
To me, success is being able to step back and know you have the right people in place, people you trust to lead, serve customers well, and continue building something that lasts. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and I’m excited to keep growing Dawson’s Electric & Air for years to come.
