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THE STORY OF IRISH CONSTRUCTION
Irish
Construction, formerly known as E.A. Irish
Contractors, was founded in 1919 by Edwin A. Irish who had left his
position as Chief of Construction for the Southern California
Telephone Company. His goal was to pioneer in the installation of
underground conduit systems for communication and power facilities
throughout Southern California.
This was the period following the First World War, an era
of tremendous growth and expansion. It became obvious to Mr. Irish
that many future power and communication installations would have to
go underground as poles were becoming overburdened with overhead
lines necessary to keep up with the burgeoning growth. In addition,
newer areas demanded the clean, uncluttered look that underground
services offered for telephone and power.
The yellow and black "Irish" barricade was seen
everywhere as an integral part of the growing communities; along
railroad embankments where signal lines were installed, on downtown
streets where deep concrete vaults and multi-tiered conduit systems
replaced the overlade poles and in new subdivisions where residents
would be guaranteed a view unobstructed by overhead
lines.
At the outset of World War II, the Company played an
active part in the war effort by installing many miles of conduit
and direct-buried cable under the direction of the Signal Corps to
serve our coastal defense systems.
Following the conclusion
of World War II, and the death of Edwin Irish in 1946, the Company
was inherited by Mr. Irish's children, Ethel and Bill. Shortly thereafter, Bill's good friend, Jack Warde, acquired Ethel's interest in the company and became Bill's "silent" partner. Under the leadership of Bill Irish, the
Company played a role in meeting the challenges of a new
post-war era of expansion. While the need for utility services
increased and the Company continued to be active in this field, a
heavy division was also created to assist in the installation of
flood control and major water transmission pipeline projects which
made possible the growth and development of areas outside the Los
Angeles basin. Throughout the 1950's a great number of significant
projects were successfully completed for the Corps of Engineers, the
Los Angeles County Flood Control District, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, Santiago Aqueduct Commission, San Diego Water Authority
and such local districts as Las Virquenes and Callequas.
In 1981, Bill Irish retired and sold his interest in the Company to Jack Warde and his sons. A few years later, Jack's son, Greg Warde, joined the Company as its Chairman. With the guidance of Pat Furnare (the Company's capable C.E.O. and mentor to many key employees), Greg assumed day-to-day leadership of the Company in 1988. With the explosive population growth in Los
Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego Counties, and the
proliferation of subdivisions and shopping centers, the Company
found it advantageous to specialize in the installation of
underground systems for power and communication facilities. The advent of Cable TV has been a perfect fit into the
Company's construction activities in the communications
field.
In 1985 the Company diversified and formed Irish
Communication Company to enhance their capabilities in the area of
communication systems construction. Pat Furnare, whose wisdom and vision led to the formation of ICC, left Irish Construction to become ICC's leader. ICC added the
capabilities of communication systems planning, design,
engineering, cable placing, splicing, wrecking, high-speed data
cabling systems and integrated voice and data systems. Under Pat's leadership, ICC became a leading communication company in Southern California. Throughout the 1990's and the early 2000's, Irish Construction and Irish Communication Company expanded into Northern California and became leading underground and communication contractors in that area.
With
Irish Construction able to perform all construction requirements,
and Irish Communication Company able to perform all engineering and
cabling requirements, The Irish Team today is capable of constructing
complete turn-key voice and data communication systems. With full-service facilities in San Marcos, Rosemead, Bakersfield, Fresno, Ceres, Sacramento, Bay Point and Morgan Hill, the Irish Team is well positioned to serve its customers throughout California.
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