The AB Electrical Team
Smart, driven, capable and easy to talk to
Our unique batch of highly-skilled, qualified and fun-loving people here at AB Electrical are the secret to this business’ rapid success. We’re a mixed bag with a diverse and deep skillset that when brought together form the most dynamic, reputable and capable Electrical business in Auckland.
Andrew “The Founder” Baker
Since starting AB Electrical just over 7 years ago, Andrew’s vision, leadership and commitment to building the best electrical team on the North Shore has seen this business grow from strength to strength, collecting numerous awards on the way. Andrew has worked in a number of different countries, developing his love and knowledge of electrical work, with a mind for creativity, innovation and his characteristic ‘out the box’ approach to problem solving. Andrew can be found fishing, surfing or coaching his 3 young boys cricket and rugby or passing on his love of building, creating and innovating in the workshop. Andrew has taken his passion for all things electrical, compliance and safety seriously, having developed a compliance software company.
Andrew can also be found at iCert.co.nz, where he focuses on helping tradies stay on top their compliance the easy way.
Howard “The Head Honcho” Lewis
Howard has recently taken over the reins from Andrew at AB Electrical. With his huge level of energy and enthusiasm he is proving to be a perfect fit to the AB family. Howard is an exceptionally capable people leader and is great at getting the best from people and inspiring them to do their best.
When he’s not in the AB Electrical office, he can be found on the tennis court giving his opponent a run for his money or enjoying a great game of water polo.
Feel free to pop in and meet him for yourself 😉
Paula “The Queen” Watson
A past as a professional ballroom dancer has clearly prepared Paula for her role at AB Electrical. She manages to juggle an impressive number of admin roles with poise and professionalism. Always on her toes she never loses her sincere, cheerful and engaging rapport with customers.
Sam “The Man” Williams
Our go to guy for project management, scheduling and estimating. Sam has established himself as one of the key pillars this business is built on, thanks to his passion for the work, insatiable appetite to learn and his level of versatility – Sam is equally at home on a small service callout or a demanding, pressure-fueled large scale build. Sam’s commitment to his profession was recently manifest in his successfully becoming a licensed electrical inspector – which is a big thing in our community 🙂 Congrats Sam!
Russell “Rusty” Rhodes
Russell has recently come on board to help Sam out as our newest service manager. Russell will be your first point of contact with AB Electrical with his charismatic phone manner and willingness to help all our customers find the right solutions. He will then task the right team member to come on site to do the job for you. In his spare time Rusty is a keen active man out and about Skiing, Mountain Biking or Hiking.
Gavin “The Tool Man” Taylor
In war zones when a man is down you hear the plaintive cries of ‘Medic! Medic!’ – Well with our team in the field it’s ‘Gavin! Gavin!’
Confronted with a seemingly intractable electrical problem we turn time and again to this loyal, experienced and extremely knowledgeable stalwart. Nothing makes Gavin happier on a job than getting that well-deserved smile from a client whose expectations he has just surpassed – well that and plying his sharp, keen mind to solving the types of problems no sane electrician would want any part of 😉
Cam “The Mountain Goat” Smith
Cam is a true inspiration, proving nothing is unachievable, having completed the Coast to Coast multi-sport event in February this year. Cam is the newest Electrician to join our team. Having recently moved to the Shore from Christchurch. Cam has settled into his new role quickly and his enthusiastic, easy going nature has made him yet another great asset to have join our team.
Jeff “The Gardener” Gillard
Jeff recently joined our team and has dug straight into his assigned projects. The positive feedback from the team is as if he has always been a part of the AB family. He’s very handy in dark places as he glows in the dark. Jeff is well organised and motivated. At the weekend Jeff looks after 3 acres of gardens.
Simon “The Badger” Badgery
When Simon left school, his father told him he could do anything, except follow his footsteps as a plasterer. Now with 28 years’ experience behind him, Simon loves being an electrician. He is an easy-going team member and loves to have fun. Originally hailing from London, Simon and his family moved to New Zealand 9 years ago. In his spare time, Simon loves surfing at the weekend with his family.
Opal “The Gamer” Vickery
Opal is our first female electrician to join the AB team, as one of our newest service electricians. With commitment and dedication to achieving a career so she can make something of her life – Opal chose the Electrical Path. Why Electrical? Well, her family already had plumbers and builders, and those trades had too much heavy lifting. In her free time, Opal enjoys face painting and playing video games. She also enjoys Anime and Manga.
Jacques “Jacquey The Sparky” Swart
Born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand, with a French name. Jacques has it all. Jacques is also our very own TV celebrity – as he has appeared on The Block NZ twice. First, representing team orange Dyls and Dylz and last year’s team purple Emily and Chloe. Jacques enjoys seeing new builds transition from frame to finish and going out of his way to help customers with solutions in their homes. Jacques got his cable clipping licence on the first day.
Vishal “Mahi Warrior” Patel
Meet the newest member of our team. Vishal was born in Wellington and schooled in Masterton. Growing up, he had family connections in the industry which fuelled his passion to pursue a career as an electrician. His father is proud of the decision to follow in his footsteps. Vishal has always been very hands-on, to the point he is also ambidextrous. A keen cycler to keep fit, Vishal also enjoys the water, and that is where you will find him in the summer, after work and weekends.
Charlie “The Charismatic” Stockill
Charlie joined our team as an apprentice. With his infectious smile, passion for hard work and eagerness to get the job done, he’s a great asset to have on board.
Joel “New Kid on The Block ” Gregory
Joel is fresh off the block as our youngest apprentice. He came to us through the high school Gateway Programme. He is always happy, positive and motivated. Joel is a total customer centric lad determined to exceed and deliver expectations. If you are keen on football banter, there is not much Joel doesn’t know.
Mark “The Project” Simpson
Mark joined the team in November 2017 and has already impressed the seasoned old hats on the team with his zeal to learn. Sharp, keen and hyper-attentive, we are sure Mark will fly through his apprenticeship under the stewardship of our veteran electricians.
Carlos “The Silent One” Thrasy
Carlos has joined the AB team to start his electrical career as an apprentice. His calm quiet manner goes a long way with focusing on the tasks at hand.
Carlos is a true gentleman and another keen starter to have join AB Electrical. Welcome to the team Carlos.
Tony “The Adventurer” Zhu
Tony has a beaming smile, is always positive and full of energy. Tony is a keen mountaineer and enjoys the outdoors. He loves his vegetables and loves to give sound nutritional advice. We are now ordering more vegetables at our team social events.
Connor “Drone Kiwi” Palmer
Connor is keen on drone filming and video editing. Hailing from Hamilton, Connor chose the electrical career path because of the variety of work, different locations, and being hands-on. Having a passion for traveling and the ocean, Connor saved a whale when he was 17, trekked to Everest Base Camp, and survived the Nepal earthquake in 2015. Connor’s attention to detail is paramount, learned from his time working on Super Yachts in the Mediterranean
Jacob “Jake” Aylett
Our newest apprentice Jacob chose an electrical career as he desired to be a part of a team. He enjoys doing the work involved. Originally from England, Jacob has been living in NZ for the last 10 years. His parents are his inspiration. For fun Jacob loves to play basketball in his free time and is passionate about fitness and sport.