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Rick China Creates One of Maryland’s Fastest Growing Companies
An Old Fashioned Career Growth Story

(BALTIMORE, MD) December 7, 2006 – Richard China, owner and president of 1ST Electric, Inc., has come a long way since the start of his career in 1979. Today, he operates 1st Electric with a unique vision that ensures the company will remain focused on service excellence for years to come.

Rick China, a local Baltimore area native, started his career in 1979 working for his father at Primo Electric Company. Starting as a truck driver, he later worked in the field during the day learning the skills of an electrician. At night he would go into the office and learn many office skills, such as estimating and project management. Working his way through the ranks, China was named Vice President of Primo Electric in 1986 and became president and owner five years later.

After building Primo to one of the premier firms in the Baltimore Metro area, his family sold the business to a national company. As a result of his impressive performance at Primo Electric, China was named CEO of IES Communications and a Director for the Fortune 1000 NYSE Company after nine months. With hard work and dedication, China was named Chief Operating Officer just seven months later, making him responsible for one of the largest electrical and communications contracting companies in the United States, which at the time had 13,000 employees.

Richard China’s unyielding drive, work ethic and extensive expertise have allowed him to build strong and reliable companies. In addition to his work at Primo and IES, China co-founded Primo Lighting Management in 1991, Gilford Corporation in 1995 and PrimeNet in 1996. Over the years he has sold his interest in those businesses and in 2004 left the world of a publicly traded contracting world. However, it was not until 2005 that China truly stepped out on his own and started 1ST Electric, Inc.

With the help of many key employees, both old and new, 1ST Electric is quickly establishing itself as one of the key electrical contracting firms in the area. In just their “1ST” year of business, the company is up to approximately 70 employees, has opened a second office outside of Salisbury, will complete approximately $10 million of business and, most importantly, is profitable. China predicts year two to significantly increase by adamantly sticking to the philosophy of hiring only the most qualified individuals that understand the strategy, while upholding the values of the company: Focus, Integrity, Reputation, Safety and Teamwork.

For additional information, contact Lisa Hamm of Barb Clapp Advertising and Marketing at (410) 561-8886 or lisa@barbclapp.com.

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