Introducing District 10 Vice President Gary Tucci
Gary A. Tucci
CEO
Potelco, Inc.
Sumner, WA
Northwest Line Constructors Chapter
BACKGROUND
Gary Tucci is a second-generation line contractor. His father Joe Tucci Sr. joined Potelco as a full partner in 1966, and within a few years, he bought out his partners. During the early years, Joe Sr.’s four children would work summers for their dad, running Potelco’s backhoes and raking rocks.
By the age of 12, Gary Tucci could run any piece of Potelco equipment. He majored business management at Washington State University, but immediately began his apprenticeship after completing his college education. After he completed his education, he headed straight for the joint apprenticeship program to learn all aspects of the trade he love. About five years after Gary went to work at Potelco, Joe Sr. announced his intention to retire and offered Gary an opportunity to take over Potelco. In October 1989, after 37 years in the business, Joe Sr. retired and Gary found himself sitting in his mentor’s chair
COMPANY INFORMATION
With Gary at the helm, Potelco soon grew from one of the “little guys” to a major contractor in the Northwest. Potelco has 800 employees specializing in gas lines, power lines, telecommunications, traffic signals, underground construction and much more. Its “one-stop-shop” approach was designed to solve the scheduling problems that customers and developers often experienced. In 1997, Potelco and three other companies to merge to form Quanta Services, Inc. Quanta is a network of highly respected and experienced contracting firms from many disciplines, across the nation. Each Quanta company retains its own proven management team, while working together to complete projects that no single firm could tackle.
INVOLVEMENT WITH NECA
Potelco has been a member of NECA since its start. Tucci has served as vice president, president and governor of the Northwest Line Chapter, NECA. He has been a member of his local JATC committee, served on the negotiations committee for 23 years and joined CIR last year.
“My father believed in NECA and was always a part of the local meetings,” Tucci said. “When I bought the company from him in 1988, I remained active in our chapter.” Tucci cites JATC training, the relationship with the IBEW, and the connections he makes with his fellow NECA contractors as the most valuable services NECA offers.
AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Tucci and his wife Amanda have been married for 30 years and have three children, each currently completing their education. The family enjoys boating and spends a lot of time on the water. An avid long-distance runner, Tucci loves a challenge and qualified for the Boston Marathon and has competed in more than 30 marathons across the country. He recently began competing in Ironman triathlons. With any spare time, Tucci will occasionally tinker with one of the old cars in his collection.