Frank Averill is the Founder and President of Averill Electric, located in Easton, Massachusetts. The company is an innovator in the use of prefabricated electric components, constructing modular equipment in its own dedicated facility and sending these pieces to their job sites located throughout New England.

Averill follows in his father’s footsteps in the construction field. He started working with his father at construction sites by the age of 12. He attended a technical high school and Massasoit Community College where he majored in electrical engineering and business management.

The company pioneered its use of prefabricated components early in Averill’s career. The construction technique allows the company to work more precisely and efficiently. The advantage of prefabricated components is that they can be assembled offsite, leading to fewer problems at the construction site. It also has increased the number of people employed, with great paying jobs with benefits.

Frank Averill will continue to be an important business leader in southeastern Massachusetts as his company works on prominent and exciting building projects.

Before we dive into Averill Electric, can you tell us about your previous career experiences and your career journey leading up to your current role?

I have been in the electrical field since I was young. My father was a trades contractor, and I have always been interested in new ways of doing business. I enjoy working in the construction industry and putting in an honest hard day’s work is satisfying to me. I attended trade school and college where I majored in electrical engineering and business management.

I founded Averill Electric in 1996 when I was not long out of college. Averill Electric quickly became successful, and we worked on some high-profile projects in the area including mall redevelopment.

Tell us more about Averill Electric

Averill Electric is proud to be a member of IBEW Local 103 employing all union electricians.

Averill Electric is focused on excellence at all times. Our prefabrication shop helps us get the job done quickly and accurately. I believe that prefabrication has been the key to our success in the competitive local market of New England.

We are a full-service electrical contractor. We can start a project from the ground up, beginning with electrical estimating and budgeting, designing the project, and putting our plans into action. We have an in-house BIM (Building Information Management) department that helps us use cutting-edge technology to manage our builds.

We are experienced in retail construction, schools and universities, lab space, public buildings, hospitality, large apartment and condo buildings and restaurants, among other areas. Currently, we are working on Parcel K Boston, which will be a mixed-use development with apartments, hotels, and retail.

What Separates Averill Electric from the competition?

Our knowledge and skillset can’t be duplicated. We have an excellent staff, both in our electrical shop and supporting roles. I think that we are coming out on top because we know how to combine prefabrication with the best on-site installation work. All our electricians are part of local 103 IBEW union. We have access to the best electricians in the country.

I am proud of our company, and I plan to continue supporting high-profile projects throughout the Boston area and New England as a whole.

How did Averill Electric continue its work during the pandemic?

It was certainly challenging to keep going throughout the pandemic, but electrical construction was considered an essential job, so we were able to stay in operation. It was difficult to start new projects during the COVID pandemic because there were restrictions in place regarding what types of construction were “essential” and what types were not. Fortunately, all construction sites were able to reopen within a matter of months. Averill Electric was able to keep over 100 union construction workers employed. We place a great deal of focus on providing quality jobs for the community.

Were there any positive outcomes related to the pandemic?

Our business learned to operate more safely and with the highest regard to quality. We quickly adopted masks in the workplace along with other public health precautions like social distancing and hand-washing. We weren’t about to take any chances with the health of our workforce. I believe that we will come back stronger after the pandemic and ramp up our production levels to new heights.

What are the firm’s growth plans for the next three years?

We plan to continue picking up high-profile jobs like Parcel K Boston. We are also excited to participate in a renewal of retail properties around the Boston area. We have worked with businesses with household names like CVS, the Apple Store, and Walmart as well as the new Target store on Boylston Street in Boston.

I hope that the next few years will bring our company expanded growth as the economy recovers from the COVID pandemic. It is true that the world will never be quite the same as it was before, but I predict that many projects that were on hold will become fast-tracked after the pandemic has ended. I am excited to meet all of the new challenges in the market and to apply our skills to different types of buildings.

Who were your mentors in your career?

My mentor is my father. I am grateful for all of the help and support he has provided me with over the years. He was an electrical contractor, and he allowed me to help at worksites starting when I was about 12 years old. I have learned the business from the ground up since I was a young boy, and I think that it shows in my skill level and in the way I can handle a project. My dad has been a lasting influence on my career. I would like to thank him for his unwavering support since I was a young boy.

I also found mentoring in high school and college. I was encouraged to apply to trade school when I was in eighth grade, and I quickly became part of the electrical program. My trade school teachers were a great source of information for me, and I have kept in touch with some of them over the years.

I believe that older and more experienced contractors can share wisdom with younger workers. I am not in favor of the viewpoint that says that older workers should be replaced by new ones in order to keep up with the newest technologies. I am more likely to rely on an employee’s wealth of experience and encourage them to mentor younger workers in my company.

Do you have advice for others interested in leadership roles?

I believe in getting on the job real life experience is the most critical component to managing people and any company.

I would also advise you to get as much education as possible in your chosen field. A true depth of knowledge goes a long way toward ensuring your success. This isn’t to say that you can’t be successful unless you have higher education. There are many successful business owners who have learned on the job and have been able to make an impact in their industries. I do believe that education is highly beneficial, however.

In addition to receiving as much training as possible, I always advise other leaders to be open-minded. There is nothing worse than a boss who is so wrapped up in themselves that they fail to see what is going on in their own company. I am accessible to my employees at all times, though of course there are times when I need to leave my office door closed and concentrate. I am interested in the input of employees from all levels of my business, from the office to the construction site.

Another thing I strongly believe, that you must have trust. You need to trust the people you work with, and they must be able to trust you. A lot can get done when you have the speed of trust.

The next point that I believe to be important in leadership is that a leader should always be willing to look into new ways of doing things. I know that prefabricated construction sounded crazy to some of my employees when we first opened the shop, but they have become proponents as well. You don’t have to do something the same way forever just because that’s the way it has always been done.

To be a strong leader, you also need to know how to delegate. You need to build a trusted team to work in your business, and you need to give them appropriate responsibilities. Many bosses believe that nothing gets done properly if they don’t do it themselves, but this attitude can really shoot you in the foot when it comes to speed and efficiency. You hired your employees for a reason, so you should let them do their jobs.

For strong leadership, I believe that it is necessary for leaders to take time for themselves. When you are starting a new company, it is understandable that you will eat, sleep, and breathe work, but you have to take the necessary time out to spend with your family.

Hobbies are great as well. Whether you like woodworking or golf or some other hobby, you should take the time to get out of the office and refresh yourself. You won’t get anywhere in business if you are constantly feeling burnt out.

I would recommend reading a few important business books if you want to become a leader. These books are The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Think Big, Act Small by Jason Jennings, and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The last book is a classic, and many people don’t believe that the system works, but I can assure you that it does.

Overview

Frank Averill has been an influential leader in the electrical contracting business since 1996. His business provides excellent service to many building owners and general contractors throughout New England. Through the science of electrical fabrication, Averill Electric has been able to rise to great heights in the local industrial scene. The company continues to work on high-profile projects, spreading its positive reputation and ensuring that new clients will continue to choose them for their electrical needs. The company continues to offer great paying union jobs with benefits.