David Avila (1958-2015) In late 2015, there was an unexpected passing of David Avila, who worked for Champion Electric Inc. between 2000 and 2015 (ten years consecutively). He showed up every day, rain or shine, sick or well and always put in an honest day’s work. He never complained and was always willing to do any job he was asked to do. When David was given a task, you didn’t see him until it was complete. He cared about the people he worked with and lifted the spirits of everyone around. David Avila was a true Champion! In his honor, this award was created in 2015. The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor a Champion Electric Inc. employee who has demonstrated a similar work ethic as David Avila. This employee goes above and beyond what is required of him/her on a regular basis, demonstrates dependability and loyalty to Champion, is a team player, and a great asset to the company. Any active employee, employed for the entire year nominated is eligible for the award. The Executive Team and prior years recipients will select the next employee who best addresses the stated criteria.			The winner is presented with the David Avila Memorial Klein Side Cutter award which they will keep until they present it to the following year’s winner. The winner’s name will be engraved on the David Avila Memorial plaque and a photo of the employee will be displayed in his/her honor. The winner will also be presented a certificate of achievement and a Home Depot gift card.
To honor the memory of David Avila (1958-2015), the family requested donations of Home Depot gift cards to be given to Electrical Apprentices to help with the cost of tools they will need with their career. David’s family ask only that the recipients know that these gift cards are given in the memory of someone that enjoyed his work, worked hard, was always ready to lend a hand and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others.
2021 David Avila Memorial Award Recipient
This year’s winner has worked for Champion just over 8 years, his first day in the trade was for Champion Electric and he has worked here ever since. The first time I saw this guy was at a Champion River trip back in the early 2000’s and he was just some kid shredding a guitar while everyone got hammered and watched. I am sure by now you all know I am talking about Michael Glancy. Mike, the fact that I could talk you into running Las Encinas and you stayed positive about it alone, at least to my face, speaks volumes about your character and how much you deserve this award. We have been fortunate to watch you grow from an Apprentice to a Foreman and you even helped teach our Leadership Training Classes. I want to thank you for all you do, and we look forward to what the future holds for you. I can finally stop telling you that you were the runner up! Congratulations. Written by Kevin Shearer, Director of Operations
Previous Recipients
Anthony Centanni - 2018 Recipient	Garrett French - 2017 Recipient	Nick Sivihok - 2016 Recipient	Tim Shafer and Kevin Shearer - 2015 Recipient
Anthony Pagdilao - 2019 Recipient

Champion Receives 2021 Pyramid Award

We are pleased to announce that we won the 2021 Pyramid Award from ABC Southern California for our Indio Middle School Modernization project.  This project modernized the existing administration building, library building, (3) classrooms, the kitchen building, multipurpose building, locker room and restrooms.  In addition, the replacement of the existing HVAC units, framing upgrades for new units, interior finishes, kitchen equipment, roofing, fire alarm, site ADA upgrades and door hardware.  Great job Champions!

2020 Merit Shop Warrior Awards - Presented to Tom Rowden

ANAHEIM, CA, March 8, 2021 – Associated Builders and Contractors Southern California Chapter recognized Tom Rowden, President of Champion Electric Inc. with the Chapter’s 2020 Merit Shop Warrior Award.  Mr. Rowden was honored at ABC Southern California’s 2021 Installation Program in Anaheim, California on March 4.

A member-driven construction trade organization, ABC Southern California presents the Merit Shop Warrior Award annually, which is based on precise tabulations of commitment to safety, engagement, advocacy, membership growth, sponsorships, volunteer service, and participation, to recognize a member of the Board of Directors for their dedication to advancing and defending the principles of the merit shop in the construction industry.

“Mr. Rowden’s long-standing commitment, service, and dedication to the Southern California Chapter of ABC is evident in his leadership at the Chapter level and as President of Champion Electric.” said Kevin Garrett, ABC Southern California’s Chapter President and CEO.  “It is an honor and a pleasure to work with Tom and I’m extremely pleased to be the one presenting him with this award.”

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. is the voice of the merit shop in the construction industry. We accept the responsibility for making that voice heard.  We believe the merit shop movement is a movement for the individual, the construction industry, and the nation. [Credit to ABC So-Cal]

"I am humbled and honored to be recognized by ABC SoCal with the Merit Shop Warrior Award. It is a pleasure to work alongside ABC to continue the fight for our right to work based on individual and contractor experience and ability without bias" - Tom Rowden

Excellence in Construction Awards - Project of the Year 2020

On November 6th, 2020, at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, Champion Electric Inc was recognized by ABC Southern California Chapter at their Excellence in Construction Awards for Outstanding Merit Shop, Project of the Year for our project – UCR School of Medicine Research Building. This project included a first-floor build-out of a 17,600 square foot building with wet laboratories and laboratory support spaces. During the construction process, floors above remained open to students and staff and BIM coordination was required for the MEP trades. This project is designed to meet LEED Gold certification. This project was our #FeaturedProject in 3 of our newsletters. Fantastic job to o the crew, management team, and office staff that made this project successful!

Our project was our newsletters #FeaturedProject for 3 different phases of the project.  Check out our #FeaturedProject page to learn more.  Here is a video tour of the Final Stage.

Winner of the 2012 Small Business Eagle Award

Every year, the Greater Riverside Chamber distinguishes a local small business with the Small Business Eagle Award for demonstrating leadership and achievement in operating a small business.  Eligible businesses must have less than 50 employees and operate in the Riverside area.

Achievements of the nominees should reflect both past and current activities.  The company must be registered as a California business and be a Chamber member in good standing.

Recipients will be selected by the Chamber, and are evaluated in five categories, which are: staying power as a substantial business for at least three years; increase in number of employees; increase in sales and/or volume; innovations of the products or services offered; response to adversity; and evidence of contributions by nominee to aid community oriented projects and contributions.

Glenn Rowden talks about this award in the below video.

March 27, 2013 – Cindy Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Riverside Chamber presents at the 2012 Small Business Eagle Award at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

“The Chamber presents tonight a business that grows to create new jobs, shows strength in overcoming adversity and demonstrates a continuing engagement in the community.  To do that, we honor a small business with the Small Business Eagle Award.  This year’s recipient is a business that was founded in 1991 by a husband and a wife team in Riverside and their natives.  They started off with just 3 employees but over time they grew by leaps and bounds to provide a wide range of quality electrical services to their customers.  When the economy took a downturn in the last decade, this business made tough decisions to scale back and shift their focus toward providing more value and becoming more involved with the Chamber.  Even in tough times they never stopped giving back to the community.  Now with 47 employees they are hiring again and looking to grow even stronger in the coming years.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the recipient of the Small Business Eagle Award the owner of Champion Electric Inc., Glenn Rowden.” - Cindy Roth

Applause as Glenn Rowden approaches the podium.  “Wow, well it’s quite an honor to be up here and have this award.  This is a wonderful, wonderful organization, the Chamber.  Just to be associated with people like Cynthia and Brian and all the folks that are part of this is phenomenal let alone to get an award.  I got to thank my employees, greatest people.  They have survived with us through thick and thin.  They have been wonderful.

My family is here, my wife Cyndi who’s been an awesome partner with this thing from the very beginning, my father, who has a lot of sweat equity in Champion Electric Inc.  My son out there is doing a wonderful job for us.

Most of all this community is a wonderful community.  You don’t have a successful business without community support.  We’ve had wonderful business relationships with so many of you and we appreciate that and our friends.  We are just grateful for all of that.  But most of all I have to thank the Lord.  Jesus has been my Lord and Savior and he has guided us through thick and thin and the Proverbs say God says ‘the man that honors me, I will honor him’.  Tonight is an example of that.  God bless everybody.  Thanks so much.” – Glenn Rowden