VBE Spotlight on: Fairway Electric Inc.

Fairway Electric Inc.

Fairway Electric was founded in 2018 by Shane Carignan

Fairway Electric Inc., established by Iraq War Veteran Shane Carignan in 2018, stands out for its commitment to safety, integrity, and exceptional electrical solutions. Growing from a modest start, it is now the exclusive tower painting vendor for National Grid in New England & New York, with five divisions and a 100-vehicle fleet. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Fairway aids government agencies in fulfilling contractual regulations while actively contributing to the veteran community. The company offers comprehensive services in Distribution, Substation, and Transmission, priding itself on both quality and safety. By choosing Fairway, partners not only access top-tier electrical services but also support a business that continually gives back to its community.

Learn more about Fairway Electric, Inc. by visiting their website, www.fairwayelectricinc.com

About the Business - Safety, Integrity, and Responsibility

What services do you provide?

"Electrical transmission, distribution, substation, emergency restoration, streetlight, tower painting, and coating, T&D new build and maintenance"

Who are your primary customers?

"National Grid, PP&L, Southern Companies, Eversource, Tempest., LUMA Puerto Rico."

When and how did you start your business?

"In 2018, we opened the first Fairway division with a few pickup trucks and three employees. Today, Fairway is the exclusive tower painting vendor for National Grid in New England & New York, and we have over 100 electrical line workers across the USA. We are proud of the growth we've achieved and the strong reputation we've built in the utility industry. We remain committed to delivering high-quality work and providing exceptional service to our clients."

Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change

What were some of the challenges in starting your business?

"As a company, Fairway has come a long way from being just a tower painting company. It has successfully overcome the challenge of proving its expertise in electrical overhead/high-voltage construction to its customers. Today, Fairway is proud to have a team of over 120 electrical line workers who are proficient in distribution, transmission, and maintenance work. The company takes pride in creating a team of faithful professionals who are dedicated to its growth and providing its customers with the highest quality of work. Moving forward, Fairway's new challenge is to maintain its growth momentum without compromising the safety and quality of its operation. To achieve this, the company will continue to maintain a strong hiring process to attract and retain the highest level of talent."

What is the key to the success of your business?

"At Fairway, we understand how important it is to stay flexible to meet our clients' needs. With the rapidly evolving energy industry in the USA and across the world, it can be challenging for companies that are set in their ways to navigate these changes. However, we are committed to being part of the innovation and moving with the industry shifts to accommodate our clients. Our approach involves training our staff in Key Performance Indicators and gathering data daily to adjust quickly to any unforeseen challenges. Not only do we use the latest technology in our fleet, safety, quality, and overall operations management systems, but we have also developed our own programs to monitor the daily performance of each crew and the staff. This gives Fairway the ability to adjust quickly and stay ahead of the curve."

What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?

"Situational Awareness is crucial to the success of any operation, not just the safety department. Fairway, which started with just a few pickup trucks and workers in 2018, understands this well. By keeping a close eye on their client's needs, we were able to identify opportunities beyond our initial scope, such as emergency response and other maintenance opportunities not related to paint. The advice we can give is to prioritize situational Awareness, recognize the value of hard work, stay alert and informed, and hire individuals who bring unique knowledge and skills to the organization. Lastly, it's crucial to develop a core value that is true to every member of the organization."

What pitfalls should they avoid?

"Starting a new business can often lead to second-guessing oneself. However, it's important to remember that taking action is crucial in order to reap the rewards. As they say, most people believe that taking a leap of faith is worth it in the long run."

What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA Community?

"As we have discussed previously, our aim is to sustain our growth trajectory. We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our presence in the energy sector beyond our initial expectations. This success is driven by our foresight into the imminent industry shift, and we are excited to see where this takes us."

Service information

Branch:

Army

Service Years:

2001- 2004

Highest Rank Attained:

E-4

Why did you join the military?

"Serve my country"

Military Occupation:

"11-B Infantry"

Any significant military achievements / experience you would like to mention?

"Liberation of Iraq"

Biography/Fun Facts

In 10 years, where do you see yourself?

"Continuing to run a world-class company."

What is in your refrigerator?

"Beer and Pizza"

How do you relax?

"I relax by fishing and smoking cigars."