Chicago Construction News staff writer
Kendra Dinkins has been elected president of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago and Cook County, becoming the first woman and first Black leader in the organization’s history.
Dinkins, who is president and CEO of Taylor Electric Company, takes on the role after more than a decade of involvement with the association, including three years as vice president.
Her appointment marks a milestone for the Chicago-area electrical contracting industry, where the association has represented union contractors for more than a century.
“It’s a real joyous occasion because we’re still breaking barriers,” Dinkins said in a statement. “I want to be able to represent women contractors and black contractors, and basically be the face for all contractors.”
Taylor Electric, a fourth-generation, family-owned firm founded in 1922, provides electrical construction services across the Chicago region, including commercial, healthcare and education projects.
Dinkins joined the ECA board about 10 years ago and has chaired its Research and Education Committee. She has also contributed to development of the Chicago Electrical Code and participated in national initiatives, including Women in NECA.
“Kendra’s election represents everything the ECA stands for: Investing in people, developing leaders from within and building an industry that works for everyone,” said Mark Thomas, executive vice-president of the association. “She has earned this role through years of dedicated service and we look forward to the progress she will drive for our members and for the City of Chicago.”
As president, Dinkins has identified workforce diversity and support for small contractors as priorities. She has called for expanded recruitment outreach to historically Black colleges and universities and increased support for minority-owned electrical contractors.
Her three-year term runs through 2029, after which she is expected to transition to a governor role with the National Electrical Contractors Association, representing contractors from Chicago and Cook County at the national level.
Outgoing President Bob Fimbianti of Linear Electric now serves as ECA governor.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my time leading this organization to work alongside Kendra and help prepare her for this moment,” Fimbianti said. “The ECA is in exceptional hands and I have no doubt that her presidency will set a new standard for what leadership in this industry looks like.”
