Company History

O’Connell Electric Company is founded in 1911 by John “Jack” O’Connell with a focus on innovative solutions for residential and commercial needs. Work orders include installation of power lines/electrical service for homes, businesses and local governments. Electricians were also kept busy installing electric lighting, electric refrigeration, telephone lines, and other devices popularized in the early 1900s.

With no relationship to Jack O’Connell, Walter T. Parkes is introduced to the electrical trade by his father Walter Norman Parkes and his Grandfather Thomas Green, both passionate tradesmen.

Thomas Green loses his ownership stake in T.H. Green Electric during the Great Depression.

Walter Norman, joined by his three sons (Walter T., Dave and Phil), works his entire career at T.H. Green.

O’Connell Electric grows and ventures into distribution work (underground and overhead). By 1949 it  is awarded a contract to install electric transmission lines for the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Lake Placid, New York.

Walter T. Parkes and his wife Carmina are presented with an opportunity to purchase O’Connell Electric Company from Jack O’Connell. The acquisition occurs. Walter and Carmina venture into their own electrical contracting business. Walter manages the work. Carmina manages the finances. The rest they tackle together.

During the early years of the Parkes’ ownership, Jack O’Connell remains involved as a key business mentor and as a financial backer of Parkes’ effort to perform large, complex projects. One of the key projects that would not have been performed except through Jack O’Connell’s generous mentorship and financial backing was a public works job in Rochester, New York, that involved installation of street lighting and traffic signals in the early 1970s.

Walter Parkes, in response to a humble request from Jack O’Connell, promises that the “O’Connell” name will never be changed, so long as Walter is alive.

Walter and Carmina introduce their children into the business. Early tasks for Tom and Susan include sweeping floors, emptying trash bins, taking inventory and assisting with the creation of as-built records.

Victor Salerno is hired from Deloitte as a full-time Certified Public Accountant to assist with financial oversight and day-to-day management of the business.

O’Connell Electric loses its Mt. Hope/Rochester Headquarters as a result of eminent domain. It finds a new home in Victor, New York, on Phillips Road.

Joe Pellerite is hired directly out of college as an Estimator. Joe quickly rises through the ranks and is promoted to Chief Estimator.

O’Connell Electric concludes a complex infrastructure project which brings electricity from the base of Whiteface Mountain to its summit. This critical project powers snowmaking equipment, lifts, and lights on the Mountain for the 1980 Winter Olympics. Innovative means and methods involved the use of helicopters and military grade equipment including modified tanks.

O’Connell Electric helps electrify the 5.5-mile-long Cross-Irondequoit Tunnel Project, which at the time was an integral part of one of the nation’s largest sewer treatment facilities.

Tom and Joe grit their teeth and survive on difficult public works jobs including major projects at Albion Correctional Facility and Wyoming Correctional Facility.

Walter becomes a Founding Member of ELECTRI’21 Council which helps support electrical contractors by funding, conducting, coordinating and transforming research results into meaningful, useful educational and consulting programs and practical publications.

Walter is inducted into NECA’s Academy of Electrical Contracting in recognition of his exceptional and outstanding service and leadership to the electrical contracting industry.

The Rochester Ice Storm shuts down the greater Rochester region. O’Connell’s Line Division helps restore power to RG&E customers.
O’Connell Electric grows its fiber and communications service capabilities with the construction of a large data center for IBM.

O’Connell Electric ranks #1 on the Rochester Top 100 list of fastest growing companies.

The Parkes family establishes the Mary Parkes Asthma Center at Genesee Hospital, the region’s first program dedicated to people with asthma. Initially a family-run asthma support group, the Center now provides necessary resources and specialized care for patients with asthma and other serious pulmonary disease. The Mary Parkes Asthma Center leads the region in providing comprehensive care and community support for asthma patients and their families. The family’s passion for improving patient care, increasing education and accelerating research into new treatments is a lasting tribute to their daughter and sister, Mary M. Parkes, RN.

First Annual Charity Golf Tournament is held to benefit the Mary Parkes Asthma Center.

NECA honors Walter with the McGraw Award, recognizing his unique and substantial contributions to the electrical contracting industry.

Walter purchases T.H. Green Electric, returning his grandfather’s company to the Parkes family.

The acquisition solidifies O’Connell’s presence in Buffalo and Western New York.

NECA and ELECTRI International recognize Walter Parkes with the inaugural Wendt Award, established to honor individuals for their exemplary leadership and service to the electrical industry and the highest honor bestowed annually by ELECTRI International.

O’Connell Electric helps design-build American Rock Salt Mine in Mount Morris, New York. The success of that project results in an opportunity for O’Connell to obtain an ownership stake in the mine.

O’Connell Electric purchases Syracuse Merit Electric, expanding its presence in Central New York.

In loving Memory – Carmina Parkes August 31, 2003

Carmina Mary Parkes, Executive Vice President of O’Connell Electric, left us for a better place on Sunday, August 31, 2003 after a 5-1/2 year heroic battle with breast cancer. Walter and Carmina together purchased O’Connell Electric Company in March of 1968. She will certainly be missed as one of our strong foundation pieces. She as an extremely vital and important part of our Company, and one of the reasons for our success over the past thirty-five years.
We will truly miss her leadership, courage, compassion, determination, and friendship to say the least. We must all strive to carry on with her “marching orders” and as she said, “keep moving,” while following in her footsteps with the examples that she taught to all of us, do what is right, do it every day and be there to do it for everyone.

As her family, we truly realize how difficult this tremendous loss is for everyone. You only needed to have met Carm once to have had her touch your life in a special way and realize how blessed you were by her presence in your life. Those of you who never had the chance to meet her personally, we are very sorry.
We thank you for your contributions made to the Mary M. Parkes Asthma and Pulmonary Care Center in her memory. The Center was a high priority in her heart, started after their daughter passed away in April of 1991, as it is in each one of ours. The Pluta Cancer Center is where she received all of her treatments with their extremely caring and compassionate staff. We would also like to express our thanks and deep gratitude to each and every one of you for your thoughtfulness, support and prayers during this extremely difficult time of our lives.

The Mary Parkes Center moves its affiliation from Genesee Hospital to the University of Rochester Medical Center. This new partnership allows the organization to expand its reach and devote resources to medical research. The Center adopts a new name: Mary Parkes Center for Asthma, Allergy and Pulmonary Care.

NECA awards Walter with the Comstock Award for his outstanding contributions to the industry in the field of labor relations.

O’Connell Electric engages in $100M joint-venture that involves engineering, procuring, and constructing a project known as the Rochester Transmission Project that involved forty circuit miles of overhead line, fifty circuit miles of underground line, and upgrades at numerous substations. The project was completed in just 20 months.

Walter promotes Victor Salerno to Chief Executive Officer. Walter (age 76) continues his involvement in the business and is made Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Tom Parkes is named Chief Operating Officer.

Joe Pellerite is named Executive Vice President of Operations.

Jeff Gould joins the Executive Team as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

Susan Parkes-McNally is named Executive Vice President and Controller.

O’Connell Electric purchases Rochester Solar Technologies, LLC, a continued investment in the renewable energy business. O’Connell’s first foray into renewable markets dates back to the early 2000s, including wind and solar.

O’Connell Electric centralizes utility operations with dedicated space in Henrietta, New York at 390 Systems Road.

O’Connell Electric celebrates its 100 Year Anniversary.

Nik Wallenda teams up with O’Connell Electric to install an 1,800-foot-long, seven-ton highwire over Niagara Falls. Nik successfully crosses, making history on June 15, 2012.

Dick Camping is hired as Vice President of Operations.

O’Connell Electric travels to Arizona to help Nik Wallenda make history for a second time, using the same high wire used in Niagara Falls to cross the Grand Canyon, 1,500 feet above the Little Colorado River.

O’Connell Electric teams up with Nik Wallenda for a third time to install a highwire connecting three Chicago skyscrapers: the Leo Burnette building, the Marina City West Tower, and the Marina City East Tower.

The Technical Services Group is awarded TEGG Contractor of the Year for a third consecutive year.

The Syracuse office relocates to a newly renovated home in North Syracuse at the Hancock Air Park.

Victor Salerno is inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame for his leadership in helping O’Connell Electric grow during his 40-plus year career and for his philanthropy in the Rochester community.

Tom Parkes is inducted into the Academy of Electrical Contracting in recognition of his national leadership and contributions to the electrical contracting industry.
O’Connell Electric constructs a 20,000-square-foot office building in Buffalo to support the Company’s growth in Western New York.

The Rochester Business Journal honors Susan Parkes-McNally with its inaugural Women of Excellence Award for her contributions to the growth of O’Connell Electric and for her dedication to mentorship and service in the Rochester community.

O’Connell Electric makes a significant investment in its prefabrication capabilities through the purchase of a 20,000-square-foot warehouse dedicated to off-site construction services located at 400 Systems Road.

Tom Parkes is elected President and Chief Operating Officer.

O’Connell Electric makes strategic promotions to address strong growth over recent years. The newly established Senior Management Team consists of Vice Presidents charged with operational oversight:

• Michael Parkes – Vice President, Power Group
• Brian Rittenhouse – Vice President, Rochester Construction and Construction Services
• Joe Leggo – Vice President, Technical Services Group
• Don Coon – Vice President, Syracuse Operations

The University of Rochester Medical Center honors the Parkes family with the URMC Dean’s Medal celebrating decades of philanthropy and volunteer leadership at URMC. The family’s contributions to URMC support significant advances in asthma care and research.

O’Connell Electric receives the AVANGRID Supplier of the Year Award.

Victor Salerno is inducted into the Academy of Electrical Contracting in recognition of his NECA leadership and contributions to the electrical contracting industry in New York.

COVID19 shuts down the country. O’Connell is considered essential and continues to support projects throughout the state of New York. Several projects are in direct support of COVID-19 test kit and vaccine research and development.

The year COVID19 emerges also marks the 25th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Mary Parkes Center for Asthma, Allergy and Pulmonary Care. Notwithstanding COVID-19 shutdowns, donations exceed $100,000. During its 25-year history, the tournament raises more than $2,000,000.

Tim Boldt joins the Executive Team as full-time General Counsel.

Victor Salerno, CEO, retires after 51 years of service to O’Connell, prompting another round of senior leadership and executive promotions:

• Tom Parkes is named Chief Executive Officer
• Michael Parkes is named Chief Operating Officer
• David Emmi is promoted to Vice President, Power Group
• Tim Ehmann is promoted to Vice President, Substations

Michael Parkes receives the Wendt Award, established in 1998 to honor individuals for their exemplary leadership and service to the electrical industry and the highest honor bestowed annually by ELECTRI International.

NECA recognizes Michael Parkes’s unique and substantial contributions to the electrical contracting industry with the McGraw Award.

Michael Parkes is inducted into the Academy of Electrical Contracting in recognition of his national leadership and contributions to the electrical contracting industry.

Joe Pellerite, Executive Vice President of Operations, retires after 50 years of service to O’Connell Electric.

O’Connell Electric establishes a campus at Systems Road with the completion of a 20,000-square-foot office building to bring together its Rochester-based operation teams.