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 1,100 employees and is registered to conduct business in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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Milestones
- 1953
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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.
- 1950s
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One of The First Ford Flat Bed Trucks With an A Frame (Late 50s – Early 60s)
- 1950s
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Equipment
Asset record for New River’s first A-Frame purchased from L.T. Halstead T-11.
- 1961
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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.
- 1967
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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
- 1967
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Benjamin Switzer Hired as Second Ever Treasurer for NRE
- 1968
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Awarded Substation Unit Contract for Appalachian Power Company in Virginia and West Virginia
- 1968
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A-Frame Trucks Were Replaced with Boom Cranes
- 1968
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NRE Constructs 765kv Substation in Rockport, IN, the Largest in a Wave of New Substations Built at This Voltage
- 1970
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Awarded Kingsport Power and Wheeling Electric Unit Contracts
- 1960s - 1970s
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Management Team
Board of Directors and Principal Owners of NREC include Vernon Wilbourne, Benjamin Switzer, Sherrill Stockton, Jim King, and Charlie Noell.
- 1974
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Jim King Promoted to President of New River Electrical
Mr. King was hired in 1958. Served as president from 1974 - 1995.
- 1980
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Foremen's Meeting
- 1981
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New River Electrical Crane Truck
- 1984
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Adopted the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- 1984
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Rigging and Hauling Crew Moves 765kv Transformer.
- 1985
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Flood of 85'
Corporate office flooded. The waterline reached 4’.
- 1986
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New River Electrical Awarded Our First Underground Residential Distribution (URD) Contract with Columbus Southern Power
- 1988
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Awarded Our First Overhead Distribution Contract with Columbus Southern Power
- 1994
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Job Spotlight: First Underground Transmission Project
Cape Hatteras, NC 2.4-mile 115kV transmission line under the bridge.
- 1996
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Charlie Noell Promoted to President of New River Electrical
Mr. Noell was hired in 1962. Served as president from 1996 - 1999.
- 1997
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Job Spotlight: 69kV Duct Bank - 9 Miles
Provided power to substations from Lake Meade to Las Vegas 115kV. Largest contract to date.
- 2000
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Tom Wolden Promoted to President of New River Electrical
Mr. Wolden was hired in 1992. Serves as president from 2000 - 2019.
- 2000
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Foremen's Meeting - Charleston, West Virginia
- 2004
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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.
- 2013
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Westerville Campus Built to Support Northern Operations
- 2014
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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.
- 2016
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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.
- 2019
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Chris Whitely Promoted to President of New River Electrical
Mr. Whitely was hired in 2006. Served as president from 2019 - 2021.
- 2019
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New River Electrical Awarded Company's First General Contract Job in Tyson’s Corner, VA
- 2021
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Job Spotlight: Broadford Substation
Largest substation project to date.
- 2021
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Robert Arritt Promoted to President of New River Electrical
Mr. Arritt was hired in 1988. Currently serving as President.
