about us
“Satisfaction is the result of experience; Experience is the basis of our business since 1940”
– E.B. Oberlander
timeline
Explore the Legacy and Milestones of Central Illinois’
Trusted Electrical Contractor – Oberlander Electric
Oberlander Electric Founded
Oberlander Electric began in a Peoria, Illinois garage, primarily serving residential customers.
Charlie Gardner Joins the Company
Charles “Charlie” Gardner joined Oberlander Electric as an apprentice electrician after serving in the U.S. Navy.
Gardner Family Ownership Begins
Charlie Gardner purchased a 45% interest in Oberlander Electric, beginning the Gardner family’s ownership of the company.
Major Expansion into Industrial Work
Oberlander Electric took a major step forward in Central Illinois through its work on the Pekin Energy ethanol project.
Gardner Family Takes Full Ownership
The Gardner family purchased the remaining shares of Oberlander Electric and became sole owners of the company.
Major Project Growth
Oberlander completed several multimillion-dollar projects, including Galesburg Prison, Canton Prison, OSF Gerlach Building, Keystone Steel & Wire, and Caterpillar facilities.
Rapid Company Expansion
Annual volume grew from approximately $5 million to $25 million as Oberlander expanded its commercial, institutional, and industrial work.
Next Generation of Leadership
Following Jim Gardner’s retirement, John Sr. and Steve Sr. assumed leadership of the company on November 1, 2007.
Third Generation Takes the Lead
Steve Jr., John Jr., Chad, and Bob Gardner moved into the company’s top leadership roles, becoming the third generation of Gardners to lead Oberlander Electric.
Continuing the Oberlander Legacy
With more than 250 employees, Oberlander continues to serve throughout Illinois with commercial electrical, emergency power, solar, data communication, and other electrical services.
Meet The Team
Career Milestones:
- Vice President at Oberlander Electric in 2004
- CEO/President at Oberlander since 2014
Education:
- Graduated from Dunlap High School in 1991
- Completed NECA/IBEW Electrical Apprenticeship in 1996
- Attended ICC, earned Six Sigma Black Belt in 2003
Other Leadership Roles:
- President of the St. Jude Leadership Board
- NECA President
- Board Member of Specialty Trades Insurance Company
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since June 10, 1991
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1991
- 15 years as a Local 649 Permit Operating Engineer
Professional Training:
- Completed Electrical Apprenticeship & Journeyman Fireman training
- Certified Telecom/Data Installer
- Certified Solar Designer/Installer
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since June 6, 1988
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1988
Specializations:
- Specializes in Commercial and Telecom/Data work, Powerhouses and Hospitals, and Lightning Protection
Professional Training:
- Completed Electrical Apprenticeship & Journeyman Wiseman training
- Certified for all Telecom/Data installations
- Certified in Data/Comm Design and Engineering
- BPI Certified
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since June 2014
- 28 years of progressive accounting experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree from the [cut off in source document]
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 9, 2002
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1997
Specializations:
- Pools, Residential, Commercial, and Industrial projects
- Design-Build services
- Expertise in Fiber Optics, PLC & Machine Control, and Instrumentation
Professional Training:
- Completed Electrical Apprenticeship & Journeyman Wiseman training
- Certified for all Telecom/Data installations
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since March 19, 2001
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1999
Education:
- Associate of Applied Arts & Science
- Graduate of the IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
Certifications:
- OSHA 10/30 Certified
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since June 15, 2001
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1996
- Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)
- Certified Fiber Optic/Data Communications Technician
Professional Training:
- NJATC Electrical Apprenticeship and Journeyman Wireman
- OSHA 30 Trained
Memberships:
- Safety Committee Board Member
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 2006
Specializations:
- Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Service Work
- Residential Generators
- Design-Build Services
Professional Training:
- NJATC Electrical Apprenticeship and Journeyman Wireman
- Graduated Top of Inside Apprenticeship Class
- OSHA 30 Certified
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 2001
- Expert in outdoor electrical work, including highway, street, parking lot, and bridge lighting
- Skilled in traffic signal and interstate construction
Professional Training:
- Apprentice/Journeyman Wireman
- OSHA 30 Certified
- Roadway Flagger Trained
- Traffic Signal Technician
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 2003
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 1997
- Completed IBEW/NECA NJATC Electrical Apprenticeship in 2004
Notable Projects:
- Bass Pro Shops, East Peoria (2010)
- Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center (2017–2019)
- Murray Baker Bridge Lighting (2020)
Professional Training:
- Licensed Master Electrician
- Journeyman Wireman
- OSHA 10 & 30 Certified
Career Milestones:
- Started with Oberlander Electric on June 6, 2006
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry since 2006
- Extensive experience in the Champaign/Urbana area since 2018
Education:
- Graduate of the IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
Certifications:
- OSHA 10/30 Certified
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since August 2001
- Extensive electrical experience since June 1998
- Well-rounded industrial, commercial, and residential background
Education:
- NJATC Apprenticeship Graduate
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 1993
- Served as shop helper, apprentice, journeyman, foreman, Project Manager, and owner
Certifications:
- OSHA 10 Trained
- OSHA 30 Trained
- NFPA Arc Flash Trained
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since May 2013
Certifications:
- OSHA 10 Trained
- OSHA 30 Trained
- NFPA Arc Flash Trained
- Basic Construction
- Construction Management
Education:
- Associate of Arts: Business Administration
- Associate of Science: Construction Management Technology
Career Milestones:
- 35 years of experience in the trade with Oberlander Electric
- 20 years as a Certified OSHA & JATC Instructor
- 5 years as Safety Director & Safety Trainer for Oberlander Electric
Career Milestones:
- Employed at Oberlander Electric since April 10, 2006
- 16 years of field experience before transitioning to Project Management in 2022
- Extensive experience in the electrical industry, including distribution systems, lighting and controls, fire alarm, data installations, industrial controls, medium voltage, healthcare systems, security systems, A/V, and solar
Professional Training:
- Completed Electrical Apprenticeship & Journeyman Wiseman Training
- OSHA 10 & 30 Certified
Career Milestones:
- Employed by Oberlander Electric since January 2023
- 14 years of experience as a Facilities Director
- 14 years of experience in Construction Management
- 24 years of overall facilities experience
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