2021’s 30 Under 30 EC&M Electrical All Stars: Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson

Job Title: Instructor

Company: IES Residential

Location: Stafford, Texas

Age: 26

Years on the Job: 3

Interests: Walking his dog, longboarding, and brewing his own beer

Jimmy Johnson was inspired at a young age by his father, who worked as a heavy equipment operator for an electric company. His high school teacher, Mr. Schwartzman, also was a master electrician who had passion for the trade.

Johnson spent four years in the electrical program at Hartford Technical High School and then another four years taking night classes at Hartford Community College. During that time, he trained with several commercial and industrial electrical companies.

Jimmy Johnson says he would not be where he is today without his boss, George Tidden, who has trained and pushed him in his career.

“The training I have received is the reason I had the opportunity to advance at such a young age,” he says.

Johnson is currently teaching several electrical classes to students hailing from around the country.

“They are pushing me to learn the materials in all new ways,” he says.

Over the years, he has helped train several hundred electricians, and he often starts his workday answering questions about the Code. He also walks jobs for quality or training purposes and teaches one of the nine weeks of employee training or continuing education/test prep classes.

As a master electrician, classroom instructor, supervisor, and field instructor, he says the most challenging part of his job is teaching electricians about rough-in and trim.

“There are always mistakes and unexpected complications, but it’s interesting and challenging to keep everything running smoothly,” he says.

His company is now offering online education classes four times a year for divisions located in Texas. Johnson is also working on putting electrical instructional videos online. He and his crew are also field testers for the Innovation Program, which is focused on finding new tools, methods, and processes.

“Today, technology is improving faster than ever before,” he says. “Through putting information online and the Innovation Program, we are not just testing the latest tools, we are creating them.”

Johnson plans to earn more master’s licenses.

“I’ll push the limits, and take the best opportunity in front of me with IES Residential,” he says.