District 2 Vice President Greg Stewart

Greg E. Stewart
CEO
The Superior Group
Columbus, OH
Central Ohio Chapter, NECA

BACKGROUND
Stewart got his start in electrical contracting early, working summers and after school for his father, George W. Stewart, starting at age 11. His father taught him the basics of the trade, and Stewart absorbed the skills watching his father wire houses and churches. Stewart worked his way through college as an electrician, improving his conduit fabrication and rigging skills, and learning about medium and high voltage power distribution systems at The Ohio State University where he studied both engineering and business. He graduated from OSU in 1969 with a degree in industrial production. He counts his ability to splice lead cable as one of his unique skills, but stresses that he doesn’t plan to do such work any time in the near future.

After working for a short time in the engineering group at Jones and Laughlin Steel Co. in Cleveland, Stewart came to The Superior Electric Company in 1970 as an estimator. He worked as a superintendent, project manager, and currently serves as CEO. Stewart refers to himself as “the CEO with muddy boots, [because] I feel that jobsite involvement is a very important activity to create accountability and improve performance in the field.”

COMPANY INFORMATION
Superior Electric traces its heritage back to 1925, with a new company being launched in 2004. The company does primarily industrial and commercial work, with an emphasis on data centers, medical centers, and process type work. Superior also has a separate service and maintenance group, energy services group, and voice/data group. The company works primarily in central Ohio, but travels anywhere east of the Mississippi for clients and for specific jobs.

INVOLVEMENT WITH NECA
The legacy company Superior Electric Company first joined NECA in 1952. Stewart has served on his local JATC since 1984, along with various local committees, including LMCC and Labor Management. He served as chapter president for five years and two years as chapter governor.

Nationally, Stewart has served on the Workforce Development Committee, the NTI advisory committee and is a PLC member. He champions collaboration as the key for success in the industry.

“I stepped up to a higher level of leadership locally when the opportunity presented itself,” Stewart said. “I am passionate about our industry and the correctness of our basic business model, and I want to work to help foster change and advancement to improve the industry for both current and future participants.”

AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Stewart is a proud father of two. His son Bryan is his business partner in Superior, married to Jennifer, a professor at OSU’s Fisher School of Business, and parents of Stewart’s granddaughter, Ann. His daughter is Dr. Alicia Stewart-Fenn, a pediatrician in private practice, married to Justin.

Stewart cites Susan Ernst as his favorite collaborator in life. A NECA member with her own business, Royal Corp., the couple enjoys boating, fishing, dancing to their favorite rock-and-roll music and traveling. Ernst has three adult children, Nicole, Ben and Kristal.

Stewart’s happy family life still leaves with time to pursue his passion for cars, especially old Packards. He owns several ranging from 1941-1955, and he regularly drives his 1955 Packard.