Growth at DP Electric has always been intentional. As an employee-owned company, expanding into new markets is not just about increasing revenue. It is about creating opportunities for our people. When the company grows, our employee-owners grow with it. That mindset is what led us to Texas and what continues to drive our success there today.
Looking for the Right Fit
In 2022, we began evaluating where it made strategic sense to expand. We were not interested in growing just to say we were in another state. We wanted a market with strong economic fundamentals, long-term development potential, and alignment with the sectors we know best.
Many Southwest states stood out, Texas being one of them.
Texas’s population growth, business climate, and steady investment in commercial construction made it a natural fit. Many of the industries that are strong in Texas align with the type of work we specialize in. It checked the right boxes from a business standpoint. More importantly, it presented a real opportunity for our team members to step into leadership roles and help build something new.
The Opportunity That Accelerated Everything
While we were researching Texas, something happened that moved our timeline forward.
A client we were working with on a project in Phoenix was awarded a project in Austin. Because of the partnership we had built and the trust we earned, they asked us to join them in Texas.
That conversation made the decision simple.
We already believed Texas was a strong long-term move. Having a trusted client invite us to be part of their expansion confirmed it. We were not walking into a new market cold. We were stepping into it alongside a partner who valued our work and wanted us there.
Building the Team
Opening in a new state requires more than securing work. It requires building the right team and culture from the ground up.
We started by identifying field leaders within DP Electric who were excited about the opportunity and willing to relocate. That step was critical. Our culture is one of our greatest strengths, and we wanted to make sure it traveled with us. These leaders set the tone in the field, reinforced our standards for safety and quality, and helped establish our reputation from day one.
At the same time, we made a key leadership hire by bringing on Robert Mullen as our Director of Operations in Texas. Robert’s experience and understanding of the local construction market were instrumental in helping us establish a strong operational foundation. His leadership on the project management and operations side allowed us to scale the right way, build meaningful relationships in the region, and ensure our Texas presence was set up for long-term success from the very beginning.
By blending internal leadership with local expertise, we created a foundation built for long-term success rather than short-term wins.
Growing to 150 and Counting
What began with a single project in Austin has grown into a strong and expanding regional presence.
Today, DP Electric has more than 150 team members based in Texas. That growth did not happen overnight. It happened because of the performance of our people, the relationships we have built, and our delivery of consistent results.
Each new hire in Texas becomes an employee-owner. That matters. Ownership changes perspective. It encourages accountability, pride, and long-term thinking. When people know they have a stake in the company’s success, it shows in how they approach their work and support their teammates.
Why Being an ESOP Makes a Difference
Our employee-owned structure played a major role in how we approached this expansion. Growth is not about entering a new state for headlines. It is about creating meaningful opportunities for the people who make this company what it is.
Expanding into Texas allowed us to open new career paths for field leaders, project managers, and future executives. It gave team members the chance to take on bigger responsibilities and build something from the ground up. That kind of opportunity does not just strengthen the business. It strengthens commitment and loyalty across the organization.
Clients see that difference. Trade partners feel it. When you work with employee-owners, you work with people who are personally invested in the outcome.
Looking Ahead
Texas continues to grow, and so do we. The demand across key sectors remains strong, and we see long-term opportunity throughout the region.
Our focus remains the same as it was when we first evaluated the move. Build the right team. Protect the culture. Deliver consistent results. Create opportunities for our employee-owners.
As we look toward 2026, one of our strategic goals is to be actively delivering a project in the Dallas market. Expanding our presence beyond Austin and continuing to grow in Texas is a natural next step. We believe the same approach that helped us build momentum in Central Texas will position us well as we continue expanding across the state.
From one project in Austin to more than 150 team members, our Texas story is a reflection of who we are as a company. We saw a strategic opportunity. A trusted partner opened the door. Our people stepped up and built something that continues to gain momentum.
And we are just getting started.
Need an electrical partner on your next project? Reach out at info@dpelectric.com
