Atlantic Electric Company was founded in 1969 by Legrand and Nell Richardson as a family-owned business. It quickly established itself as one of the first major open (merit) shop electrical contractors in the Charleston area. Over the next few decades, the company grew significantly and became one of the largest electrical contractors in South Carolina. The Richardson family’s involvement played a key role in the company’s success, with each of their children contributing to its operations. Below is a timeline outlining the major milestones in Atlantic Electric’s history.
1960-1980
- 1969: Atlantic Electric Co. is founded by Legrand and Nell Richardson as a family-owned business, becoming one of the first major open (merit) shop electrical contractors in the Charleston area.
- 1970: Atlantic Electric begins experiencing rapid growth, establishing itself as one of the largest electrical contractors in South Carolina over the next decade.
- 1976: Lee Richardson graduates from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Electrical Engineering and joins the company as a project manager and estimator.
1980-2000
- 1980: Mike Richardson begins working full-time as a job site superintendent and works his way to head superintendent over the next 2 years.
- 1984: Lodema Richardson joins the Atlantic Electric accounting department after graduating from Bauder Fashion College.
- 1986: Legrand and Nell Richardson sell Atlantic Electric to their three youngest children—Lee, Lodema, and Mike. Lee becomes President, Mike becomes Vice President, and Lodema becomes Treasurer.
- 1999: Atlantic Electric is sold to Building One Services Corporation, but the Richardson family remains in management roles.
2000-Present
- 2000: Building One Services merges with Group Maintenance Corporation to form Encompass Services Corporation.
- 2001: Lee and Lodema leave the business while Mike stays on to help manage the company.
- 2003: Lee and Mike Richardson reacquired Atlantic Electric Company from Encompass Services Corporation, reestablishing it as Atlantic Electric, LLC. The brothers begin restructuring the business, guiding it back to prominence as a leading force in the South Carolina electrical construction industry.
- 2018: Atlantic Electric, LLC expands its presence by acquiring Hayes & Lunsford Electric’s South Carolina Operations.
- 2022: Comfort Systems, USA Inc. acquires Atlantic Electric, LLC and Hayes & Lunsford Electric, LLC; integrating the companies into their national network of mechanical and electrical contractors.