Joe Ahrens

General Superintendent, HPS Mechanical, Inc.


Joseph “Joe” Ahrens is a General Superintendent at HPS Mechanical, Inc. Joe is a third-generation plumber and has been with HPS Mechanical, Inc. since 2014. He started his career directly out of high school, joining the ABC San Diego Plumbing Apprenticeship program, and graduated in 2008.

Joe has gained 20 years of experience with ABC member companies in Southern California. He aspires to create an environment for all to excel.


Steven Cabaj

President, Electronic & Telecom Systems (ETS)


Steven Cabaj is the President and Co-Founder of Electronic & Telecom Systems (ETS). Steven graduated from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with a Business Science certificate in Mechanical Engineering. He grew up in the construction industry and has worked full-time in Building Automation since 2014. Leading ETS since late 2016, Steven has grown the company from two employees to over forty (and counting) with the help of a Master of Business Administration from the Rady School of Management. He is responsible for Business Development, Sales, Operations Supervision, and General Management.

Additionally, Steven serves on the Board of Directors, Electronic Systems Technician (EST) Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee, and the Technology Committee with ABC San Diego.


Clint Dart

General Superintendent, Prime Electrical Services


Bio coming soon


Kevin Hartnett

Vice President, Laser Electric, Inc.


Kevin’s electrical career started in 1973. He has completed 2-year Marine Electrician/Electronics Training at National Steel & Shipbuilding San Diego; and a 4-year Union Construction Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program. He graduated as San Diego Electrical Apprentice of the Year in 1979. He also served as Union Electrical Apprenticeship Instructor for four years. During his career as a union member, Kevin worked as an Electrical Foreman/General Foreman for several large industrial projects.

Laser Electric was founded in 1987 by Kevin as a merit shop focused on safety, quality, integrity, employee training, and internal opportunities.

Until 2000, Kevin handled all estimating, sales, project management, payroll, and accounting. The company grew to $15M in revenue by 2015 with a very steady customer base and employee retention. Revenue is expected to reach $40M in 2023 with 150 employees.

Kevin joined ABC San Diego in 1994 and has served on the Electrical Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee for 20 years. He helped form the Electronic Systems Technician (EST) Apprenticeship Program 10 years ago and has served on the EST Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee since then. He has served as an ABC San Diego Training Trustee for over ten years and Chair of Training Trust for four years. 


Chad Boyle

Safety Director, Ickler Electric


Bio coming soon


Valerie McGuire

Controller, Pacific Rim Mechanical


Valerie has lived in San Diego for 30 years and attended San Diego State University. She comes to us with 22 years of experience in the construction industry, and for seven of those years she owned an electrical subcontractor business. She also has experience in public accounting and industry accounting.

Over the last 6+ years, Valerie has been the controller of Pacific Rim Mechanical. In that time frame, the company has grown its revenues nearly 50 percent, from 133M to 220M. 

Valerie holds the designations of both CPA and CCIFP (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional). She has taught classes for industry professionals in many construction organizations, and recently gave her first national presentation with CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association.)

Valerie joined ABC San Diego (ABCSD) in 2006 and is a Trustee member of the ABCSD Training Trust. She is a current board member of CFMA, and a former board member of NAWIC.

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