Milwaukee / Wisconsin / United States
Family Owned and Operated Since 1929. The Roman Electric Company began as a one-man operation in 1929, just a month before the devastating Black Thursday stock market crash. 23-year-old Roman Rose, who had just passed his Milwaukee contractor exam, set up shop in the two-story frame building where his father had operated a cigar factory. Forging ahead into business during the Great Depression, Rose was able to navigate the difficult economic climate through sheer determination and a strong work ethic.Determination and Innovation. In 1935 Rose married Catherine Lemanski who also became a partner in his ever-expanding business. In addition to contracting work, they began to sell electrical appliances, including a popular new product called the electric range. Through an innovative strategy to promote their business they conducted electric range cooking classes, attracting huge crowds of curious spectators. It was this kind of forward thinking that kept the business afloat throughout the financially turbulent 1930s.A Foundation of FamilyThrough the next few decades, which brought both World War II and a prosperous housing boom, Roman Electric continued to grow as did the Rose family. Upon receiving electrical engineering degrees from Marquette University, sons Gerv (in 1958) and Greg (in 1961) both joined the company. After the death of Roman in 1963, the sons guided the company into impressive growth in the 60s. Through diversification, acquisition and ingenuity, the Roman Electric Company continued to grow.A Wisconsin Institution A third generation of Roses joined the company in the early 90s, continuing the tradition of family leadership. As it marches into its 9th decade in the field of electrical contracting, Roman Electric remains a Wisconsin institution. Its strong corporate culture, with its emphasis on community and education, has helped to strengthen its team of project managers, electrical engineers, and technicians. Whether its residential or commercial, y
