Black work truck with an open bed and a yellow mechanical arm attached to the back is parked on a dirt overlook with barren trees in the background and a distant mountain range in the distance

Our History

New River Electrical Corporation’s vision was established well before our company was founded in 1953. Our founder, Sherill W. Stockton, was a chief electrician in the Navy who envisioned the opportunity for reputable outside contractors to join major utilities. Mr. Stockton possessed the experience and high moral character standards that were and are instrumental in the core direction that we were founded on.

From our first contract with the Ohio Power Company to build a small substation, New River Electrical has grown into a diversified and progressive national company with over 2,000 employees and is registered to conduct business in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Milestones
  • Split image; on left, man with coiffed hair and glasses; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    1953

    New River Electrical Founded by Mr. Sherrill Stockton

    Founded New River Electrical Corporation on May 27, 1953. First job – Construct a wood pole distribution substation near Jackson, OH.

  • Split image; on left, old photo of early model work truck on a job site; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    1950s

    One of The First Ford Flat Bed Trucks With an A Frame (Late 50s – Early 60s)

  • Old yellow record slip detailing New River Electrical's first truck purchase.
    1950s

    Equipment

    Asset record for New River’s first A-Frame purchased from L.T. Halstead T-11.

  • Grainy photo of old communications system towering above treeline.
    1961

    NRE Awarded Contract to Construct a Microwave Communications System for Southern Railroad

    Phase 1 ran from Alexandria, VA to Atlanta, GA. Phase 2 ran from Atlanta to Jacksonville, FL and from Atlanta to New Orleans, LA.

  • Old photo of a group of executives in black and gray suits hold drinks and smile for the camera
    1967

    Management Team

    (Top L-R) Unknown, Ben Switzer, Charlie Noell, Unknown, Sherrill Stockton, Paul O. Dickey (Bottom L-R) Vernon Wilbourne, Unknown, James A. King, Jr., R.C. Furr

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    1967

    Benjamin Switzer Hired as Second Ever Treasurer for NRE

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    1968

    Awarded Substation Unit Contract for Appalachian Power Company in Virginia and West Virginia

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    1968

    A-Frame Trucks Were Replaced with Boom Cranes

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    1968

    NRE Constructs 765kv Substation in Rockport, IN, the Largest in a Wave of New Substations Built at This Voltage

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    1970

    Awarded Kingsport Power and Wheeling Electric Unit Contracts

  • Old photo of men in suits sitting and standing around a table.
    1960s - 1970s

    Management Team

    Board of Directors and Principal Owners of NREC include Vernon Wilbourne, Benjamin Switzer, Sherrill Stockton, Jim King, and Charlie Noell.

  • Split image; on left, older man in aviator glasses smiles for camera; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    1974

    Jim King Promoted to President of New River Electrical

    Mr. King was hired in 1958. Served as president from 1974 - 1995.

  • Old photo of large group of employees in business attire smiling for the camera.
    1980

    Foremen's Meeting

  • Black work truck with an open bed and a yellow mechanical arm attached to the back is parked on a dirt overlook with barren trees in the background and a distant mountain range in the distance.
    1981

    New River Electrical Crane Truck

  • White textured squiggles on a black background
    1984

    Adopted the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

  • Black and white photo of a truck and trailer moving a 765kv transformer for a rigging job across the railroad.
    1984

    Rigging and Hauling Crew Moves 765kv Transformer.

  • Split image; on left, white brick garage is flooded; on right, interior of garage shows water pooling and damage.
    1985

    Flood of 85'

    Corporate office flooded. The waterline reached 4’.

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    1986

    New River Electrical Awarded Our First Underground Residential Distribution (URD) Contract with Columbus Southern Power

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    1988

    Awarded Our First Overhead Distribution Contract with Columbus Southern Power

  • A long concrete bridge leads out over a marshy inlet and veers left, crossing out of frame.
    1994

    Job Spotlight: First Underground Transmission Project

    Cape Hatteras, NC 2.4-mile 115kV transmission line under the bridge.

  • Split image; on left, older man in aviator sunglasses laughs at camera; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    1996

    Charlie Noell Promoted to President of New River Electrical

    Mr. Noell was hired in 1962. Served as president from 1996 - 1999.

  • Aerial shot of a duct bank running through a dirt ditch.
    1997

    Job Spotlight: 69kV Duct Bank - 9 Miles

    Provided power to substations from Lake Meade to Las Vegas 115kV. Largest contract to date.

  • Man with white hair and glasses looks at camera in a navy blazer with an American flag pin
    2000

    Tom Wolden Promoted to President of New River Electrical

    Mr. Wolden was hired in 1992. Serves as president from 2000 - 2019.

  • A group of NRE foremen and forewomen on a staircase in matching black jackets
    2000

    Foremen's Meeting - Charleston, West Virginia

  • Split image; on left, older woman with short hair smolders at camera; on right, old photo of woman with tall hair sitting behind a typewriter.
    2004

    Dianne Sink

    Ms. Sink was hired in 1969 as a receptionist. She was NRE’s first female employee. Ms. Sink retired in 2004 as NRE’s Corporate Secretary & First Safety Director.

  • New River Electrical's Westerville, Ohio office.
    2013

    Westerville Campus Built to Support Northern Operations

  • Split image; on left, older mustached man smolders for camera; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    2014

    R.C. "Buddy" Furr, II

    The longest-tenured employee in NRE history. Mr. Furr was hired in 1968 as a shop helper. Retired in 2014 as an Ex. Vice President. Created Underground Transmission Division.

  • White pickup truck parked beneath power lines has a yellow football goal standing vertically in the bed that is connected to the power lines.
    2016

    Job Spotlight: Overhead Transmission Project at Pro Football Hall of Fame

    Overhead Transmission built with custom poles in Canton, OH. Outside of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. View The Project

  • Split image; on left, bearded man smiles at camera; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    2019

    Chris Whitely Promoted to President of New River Electrical

    Mr. Whitely was hired in 2006. Served as president from 2019 - 2021.

  • Worker in white hard hat and reflective sunglasses smiles at another worker.
    2019

    New River Electrical Awarded Company's First General Contract Job in Tyson’s Corner, VA

  • Aerial shot of a substation installation job.
    2021

    Job Spotlight: Broadford Substation

    Largest substation project to date.

  • Split image; on left, man in tan blazer smiles at camera; on right, white textured squiggles on black background
    2021

    Robert Arritt Promoted to President of New River Electrical

    Mr. Arritt was hired in 1988. Currently serving as President. View Leadership at New River Electrical