ROBERT D. 'BOBBY' SAMUELS NOMINATIONS
The Deal
Date published: 7/23/2008
DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: I run an electrical contracting business that this month celebrates its 36th year. I'm very proud of that. We specialize in service work for commercial and residential customers. We also do new commercial jobs, i.e., banks, restaurants, backup generators, etc. We never did venture down the new home construction path, though. For many years we focused only on commercial jobs, but about 15 years ago we began offering residential service, which my son, R.D., who's my right-hand man, oversees.
EDUCATION: I am a Class A contractor and have my masters license. Most of my education has come from past job experience and a lot of on-the-job training. I've always tried to keep up on the latest technologies including schooling on estimating and other contractor-related courses. I guess you could say I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks.
FAMILY: I've been married to my wife, Carol, for 46 years. We have a daughter, Connie, and a son, R.D. I also have triplet granddaughters who are 13 and one grandson who is 8. I have a great family including my son-in-law and daughter-in-law. We're all very close.
CAREER HISTORY: My first job in the electrical field was for Hancock Electric in Fredericksburg at the age of 17. I also had a couple of jobs for which I traveled up north, before commuting was the thing to do, and down south to Richmond. Before starting my own business, I worked at the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory.
FIRST JOB: Working for Hancock Electric.
WORST JOB: I can't say I've ever had a bad job.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Falmouth
HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? I came home one day and told my wife that I had quit my job and was going to start my own business. We had two small kids at the time, so it was a bit scary, and it's not something I would recommend to a newcomer. With my wife handling the bookkeeping end of things, we took off into the unknown and have tried not to look back.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? Working with my son, R.D. on various projects. He's been a part of this business since he could hold a screwdriver.
| To nominate a business owner for The Deal, e-mail: DealMaker@freelancestar.com
Provide a description of the business, how long it's operated, its location, contact information, Web site and why the owner should be featured.
The Free Lance-Star's coverage of area businesses in The Deal does not mean that the newspaper is endorsing any particular business.
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Date published: 7/23/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Kudos
(posted by
Freedrik
, July 23, 2008 12:42 pm)  
Having had the call on this man's services over the years, I can honestly say he has been one of the most dependable and honorable contractors in the area. It is wonderful to see the FLS take the time to recognize a local business man in this way.
Again, Kudos to you Bobby and thanks!!!!!!!!
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