By Andrew P. McCoy and Fred Sargent
Published On December 15, 2023
Henry J. Kaiser, a 20th century hero of American industry, coined a memorable expression that continues to inspire wannabe innovators in every walk of life: “Find a need and fill it.”
While he built a formidable business reputation with a vast collection of industrial enterprises including construction, cement, magnesium, steel, aluminum and even automobile manufacturing (featuring a car model eponymously branded the “Henry J.”), in the post-World War II era, Kaiser most notably came to be known as the “father of American healthcare.”
It was something of a coincidence, therefore, when in 2012, Collin Weiner first saw a need—and a way to fill it—while working as a foreman for the installation of new electrical lighting control systems in a number of Kaiser Permanente healthcare facilities in California.
The labyrinth of California state regulations and requirements that cover every step in the specification, installation and commissioning of state-of-the-art lighting control systems presents a daunting challenge to many electrical contractors encountering them. Because Weiner—on his own initiative—had exhaustively studied and carefully obtained all certifications required, he recognized he was in the enviable position of being able to professionally advise and support electrical contractors wrestling with lighting controls projects.
That’s when he formed CalEnergy Corp., Pleasanton, Calif., and became, as it were, “a contractor’s contractor.”
Years later, now that CalEnergy has a well-established reputation throughout the industry, we stopped for coffee with Weiner to get his take on the latest in the realm of lighting and, better yet, what he expects to see emerging next.