Prior to 1937 there was no Electrical License required in NC for an Electrical Contractor. Mr. Nathaniel Ellis Cannady Sr. was the State’s Chief Electrical Inspector and Engineer at that time, and he saw the need for people doing electrical work to be required to have a license and to be regulated by a Board. The Governor at that time told Mr. Cannady that to move forward with any kind of legislation on requiring an electrical license to do electrical work that he would have to have a group of people from the electrical field organized to support such legislation. Mr. Cannady contacted several major electrical contractors from across the State of NC to seek their help in passing a law that would require a person to have an electrical license in the State of NC before they could do electrical work. There were six contractors that also saw this need along with Mr Cannady and they began to form a new electrical association. These men where Frank E. Hartis owner of Modern Electric Co, Durham NC; Marion B. Haynes, Haynes Electric Co., Asheville, NC; Raymond Starr, Starr Electric Co., Greensboro, NC; J.G. Hammond, Hammond Electric Co., Rocky Mount, NC; O.A. Houston, Houston Electric Co., Durham, NC; and R.H. Bouligny, R.H. Bouligny, Inc. Charlotte, NC. On April 20, 1937 these six men signed the papers formed the North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractor, Inc. The first office was located at 433 W. Morehead Street Charlotte, NC. They had 3 objects for which the NCAEC was formed
- To promote the welfare of electrical contractors and to bring a more friendly relationship between electrical contractors and other engaged in electrical business.
- To improve the standards of service rendered by members of the Association.
- To collect and diffuse information affecting merchants, manufacturers and others engaged in erecting buildings and other structures.
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