ABC Electric Company, Inc.

ABC Electric History: ABC Electric was founded in 1932 by Arthur Badley Whitmer and his wife Carolyn. AB performed electrical contracting and sold appliances from a store near 23rd and "O". AB believed that treating people the way that he wanted to be treated was the way to do business, and this philosophy holds true to this day at ABC Electric. ABC Electric moved from 23rd and "O" to 23rd and "N" and then to their current location at 1012 North 25th in 1958. ABC quickly evolved into a residential, commercial, and industrial contractor. AB's son Arthur J. worked with him for a number of years, and in 1950 AJ. took over the business. They were soon joined by AJ's eldest son William (Bill) Whitmer. Bill graduated from UNL with a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1959 and worked with his father to make ABC a leader in the Lincoln electrical construction market. With the economic downturn of the 1980's and high interest rates, work was very tough to get, and things were made even more difficult with the passing of Arthur J. in 1984, at which time Bill was elevated to president. John Whitmer, AB's great-grandson, has worked at ABC since graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in construction management in 1988. John is the fourth generation in the family business. Bill passed the presidential responsibilities to John in 2001. ABC Electric has been associated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers since AB Whitmer's membership in Local Union 265 in November of 1917. ABC is a full-service electrical contractor, having the capability to perform everything from residential, commercial, and industrial wiring to fiber optics and underground/overhead high-voltage power transmission and distribution. For 75 years honesty and dependability have been of the utmost importance, and the company prides itself on its excellent people. Their professionalism, enthusiasm, and high-quality workmanship are impressive and have allowed the company to grow with the fine city of Lincoln. ABC's work has included the State Capitol Building, Southeast High School, Lincoln East High School, Bryan Memorial Hospital, Goodyear, Kawasaki, Quebecor Printing, Novartis, Nebraska State Penitentiary, Nebraska State Fair Grounds, numerous buildings at UNL, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, West Gate Bank Center, Pinnacle Bank Arena, and much of Lincoln's street lighting and traffic control systems.