Safeway Electric Celebrates 35 Years of Care and Service

There was cause for merriment at Safeway Electric on March 12, the day the Colton-based electrical and systems services company celebrated its 35th anniversary. Owner Dan Scherneck was joined by employees and city leaders including Colton City Mayor Richard De La Rosa and Colton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chetay Catalano, who gifted certificates of recognition to Scherneck in light of the happy occasion, while attendees enjoyed cake and company at Safeway Electric's Colton location on Miller Drive. "It was great to celebrate 35 years with our team," said Jon Krystafik, business manager. Festivities also included special thanks by various members of the Scherneck family, and the team gathered to reminisce on the strides the company has made. Through the years the company has grown to employ approximately 80 staff and last year alone brought in revenue around $15 million, shared Krystafik - coming a long way from humble beginnings, when in 1980 Scherneck started the business out of his garage. It began as an electrical contracting company that has since grown to include electrical and solar systems services, along with fire alarms, security systems and office cabling, assisting commercial and industrial clients throughout Southern California. Scherneck earned a construction management certificate from Cal Poly Pomona and founded Safeway Electric after receiving his C-10 electrical contractor license. Cognizant of changes in technology, the company then expanded to provide solar services. Scherneck holds multiple California licenses including General Construction, General Electrical, Solar and Solar Photovoltaic - helping Safeway Electric become one of the leading electrical merit shops in the region. But it's not only experience that has helped the company make vast strides in its market over the last 35 years; it's also the care and service the company shows for both its clients and its employees, explained Krystafik. He said, "We're a Christian-based company and that shows in how we make sure our agreements are held and that our employees are taken care of. We have a real culture of care here at the company. (Dan) is just a great person and I couldn't be more happy to work with him." He added, "We do a lot of big industrial jobs and one of our mottos is: empower people to build. While that is true for our customers, it's also true for our employees. We want to help them build a career path and create longevity for our employees so they can grow and learn, and bring that stability to their families." Helping people, no matter who they are, is the reason for the business, explained Krystafik. "Dan referenced this: it's really the people who are the reason he does business, and making sure everyone is taken care of."