CarolinaPower Leaders Reflect on 25 Years in Business
It was the late 1990s when Georgia-based MetroPower decided to launch an out-of-state branch in Greenville, SC – doing business as (dba) CarolinaPower. The challenge at hand for the start-up: breaking into an established construction market with zero name recognition and minimal resources.
Fast-forward 25 years and CarolinaPower has four offices across South Carolina – Greenville, Columbia, Charleston and North Augusta – with more than 800,000 field hours worked in 2025. CarolinaPower transitioned from a division of MetroPower to a stand-alone company within PPC Partners, Inc. in 2018 after exhibiting strong and steady growth under Moore’s leadership.
CarolinaPower President Chris Moore, who led the initial launch, could not be prouder of what the company has become. Over the past 25 years, CarolinaPower has risen to prominence as a leading regional electrical contractor serving commercial, education, federal, healthcare and industrial markets in South Carolina and North Carolina. The company is consistently honored by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) as a Top Performer, a prestigious national ranking that recognizes contractors for demonstrating world-class performance in five specific areas: safety, quality, diversity, project excellence and special designations.
Moore is quick to give the people of CarolinaPower credit for these accomplishments, pointing out that “CarolinaPower is unique in our industry as an employee-owned electrical contracting company. We operate under the philosophy that satisfied employees create satisfied customers — and drive our company’s ongoing growth.”
Elaborating on the “why” and “how” behind CarolinaPower’s success, Moore said, “It all comes down to culture, customer service and community, which are at the heart of our purpose statements.”
- Building Our Culture: We believe our people are our power. We empower our people to serve, lead, and innovate.
- Serving Our Customers: Our customers can count on our people to be safe, on time and within budget.
- Impacting Our Community: We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work, focusing on initiatives that support the people and organizations we serve.
Insights from Leadership Team
GroundBreak Carolinas also caught up with several members of the CarolinaPower leadership team to gain some insight into the past, present and future of the company.
Travis Oswald, Vice President, oversees companywide Construction Services – Engineering, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and Prefabrication – while also managing day-to-day operations of the Greenville office. Oswald reflected “When I started here 20 years ago, we would have a luncheon or Christmas party and the whole company could fit at a table in a restaurant. I never envisioned we would grow from a handful of employees to hundreds. It’s amazing how much we as a company, and the construction industry overall, has evolved. This evolution is exciting and full of opportunity. What we’re doing for the future with our Construction Services is exciting.”
Bradley Michie, Director of Operations in Columbia, began his career as a Management Trainee with sister company MetroPower in Albany, Georgia, immediately following college graduation. After gaining valuable field experience as an Assistant Project Manager, Michie joined the CarolinaPower team in Columbia in 2014 as a Project Manager — taking on increasingly responsible roles in subsequent years. Michie noted, “This company lit a spark in 2000 that’s grown into something truly powerful. Twenty-five years is more than a milestone — it’s a testament to the people who’ve built this company with hard work, heart, and determination. After 15 years here, I’ve seen how much this team cares about doing things the right way, supporting each other, and growing together. I’m proud to be part of this journey and look forward to seeing what’s yet to come. We are just getting started.”
Johnny Monroe, Director of Operations in Charleston, admires CarolinaPower’s endless opportunities for career progression. Monroe started out as an electrical apprentice with MetroPower in South Georgia right out of high school. He gained experience in the healthcare sector, became a master electrician, and moved into a superintendent’s role. After taking a healthcare project assignment in South Carolina in 2014, he volunteered to help out in CarolinaPower’s recently established office in Charleston. By 2016, Monroe was running the office. “At CarolinaPower, the sky’s the limit if you have a strong work ethic and are open to taking on new challenges,” said Monroe. “You can start as an apprentice and grow into management.”
David Farmer, Director of Operations in North Augusta, Farmer has more than 25 years of project management experience in electrical contracting – the past six with CarolinaPower. Farmer believes the company culture is what truly sets CarolinaPower apart from other firms. “At CarolinaPower, you are given the opportunity to grow a business… there’s an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s refreshing to have the freedom to expand your operation.”
Wrapping Up a Year-Long Celebration
As CarolinaPower’s Silver Anniversary year comes to an end, two highlights are worth mentioning. After winning multiple regional and national project recognition awards from ABC for Excellence in Construction, CarolinaPower took home the coveted Project of the Year for Clemson University’s Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center in November 2025. Also, 2025 marked the eighth consecutive year that CarolinaPower was named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina – which should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows the people of CarolinaPower.
