DP Electric has spent the past 35 years establishing itself as one of Arizona’s most dynamic electrical contractors; an organization built on adaptability, innovation, and an unwavering investment in its people. From humble beginnings in a suburban garage to more than 1,000 employees operating across Arizona and Texas, the company’s evolution reflects not just growth, but a deep-rooted belief that success starts with those who power it.
The company’s story began in 1990 when founder and CEO Dan Puente launched DP Electric out of his home garage with just a few work trucks and a small crew. “Our founder and current CEO, Dan Puente, founded the company out of his garage at his house,” recalls marketing manager Ben Nelson. “He operated out of there with just a couple of work trucks full of guys.”
Demand came quickly. Within a few short years, Puente expanded to a 1,500-square-foot office, then to an 8,000-square-foot facility as the team and client base grew. Today, DP Electric operates from a pair of commercial facilities in Tempe—one spanning 35,000 square feet, the other 40,000—reflecting both its scale and its continued investment in Arizona.
While the company’s physical footprint has grown exponentially, so too has its reach. In 2021, DP Electric began a transition to employee ownership—an initiative that culminated in 2024 with the company officially becoming 100% employee-owned. “That was a really, really big milestone as a company,” Nelson says. “Because now all of us as employees are owners.”
This shift in ownership wasn’t just symbolic—it was the culmination of a long-held philosophy. Puente, who built the business around growth and opportunity, wanted to create a company where everyone had a stake in its success. The move to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) now ensures that the company’s achievements benefit everyone who contributes to them.
Simultaneously, DP Electric expanded its geographic footprint, opening a branch in Austin, Texas, roughly a thousand miles east of its Arizona headquarters. The expansion was led in part by President Danielle Puente, Dan’s daughter, who brought financial discipline and strategic structure to the company’s operations. With a background as a Certified Public Accountant and lifelong exposure to construction, Danielle joined DP Electric in 2015 as controller, later serving as CFO before becoming president in 2022. “She’s been very instrumental in where we are today,” Nelson says.
DP Electric’s portfolio spans some of the most complex and high-profile projects in the Southwest. The company’s clients include major commercial developers, hospitals, semiconductor manufacturers, and large-scale data center and aviation clients. From Phoenix Children’s Hospital to Sky Harbor International Airport, its work underpins essential infrastructure that serves millions.
The 186,000-square-foot Phoenix Children’s Hospital Arrowhead Campus in Glendale, built with general contractor Kitchell Construction, exemplifies DP Electric’s technical capacity. The company’s work there included specialized and critical systems for surgical suites, imaging rooms, pediatric care spaces, and the emergency department—every aspect requiring precision, safety, and reliability.
DP Electric’s versatility shines in projects like the PHX Suns Arena renovation (formerly Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns). Working alongside Okland Construction, the company helped bring to life Arizona’s first in-person FanDuel Sportsbook—an innovative space featuring 96 individual screens within a dedicated lounge. Another standout project, the Downtown Phoenix Central Station Redevelopment, involves electrical work on two new towers, 33 and 23 stories respectively, creating a mixed-use complex with 800 residential units, retail, and commercial zones.
As DP Electric continues to expand, it remains guided by a philosophy of internal growth and opportunity. The company’s training and development initiatives are renowned within the industry, particularly through DP University, its in-house accredited apprenticeship and professional development program. “He attributed the loyalty to a huge focus in training and development, through its ‘DP University,’” Nelson says. “Today the company is one of the few electrical contractors in Arizona that has an in-house accredited apprenticeship program, along with skill training for those who ask for it, and an ‘alpha leaders’ program to do ongoing leadership training for field leaders.”
“Today the company is one of the few electrical contractors in Arizona that has an in-house accredited apprenticeship program.”
That focus on education isn’t theoretical, it’s built into the very structure of the company. “Part of our office here in Tempe is we have, within that 75,000 square feet, roughly about 20,000 of it dedicated solely to a training facility where we have two classrooms and a huge hands-on area,” Nelson explains. “It looks identical to what it would look like on a job site so they can practice here, in the safety of the office.”
The commitment to people extends beyond technical skills. DP Electric’s Tempe facility also includes amenities designed to foster community and well-being, from basketball and pickleball courts to spaces where employees can relax and connect. “We spend a ton of resources on the development of our people and making sure they have a space where they can continue to grow into whatever avenue it is that they want,” Nelson says.
Such attention to employee welfare has created a culture of loyalty that runs deep. “In our office, we have a huge wall where we have photos of people who have been here five years, 10 years, 15 years, and up to 25+ years” Nelson shares. “The wall’s pretty much full.” Some employees who started in Dan Puente’s garage decades ago are still with the company today, now serving as field leaders or other leadership roles.
The emphasis on people, process, and precision has also positioned DP Electric for continued regional expansion. While the Austin branch represents the first major step beyond Arizona, the company is already exploring potential new markets, possibly as early as 2026 or 2027. “As it was an anchor customer that helped DP Electric make its expansion to Austin, the company will be seeing where demand is most centered before making such a move,” Nelson says.
Behind the company’s success lies a sense of purpose that goes beyond profit. By combining cutting-edge technology with a family-inspired culture, DP Electric has built a framework for sustainable growth—where employees are empowered to take ownership of their craft, their development, and their company’s legacy.
From a single garage to a multi-state enterprise, DP Electric’s trajectory mirrors the electrical systems it installs: robust, interconnected, and constantly evolving. Now an employee-owned company, it stands as proof that investing in people isn’t just good business—it’s the best foundation for the future.
