Meet Our Team of Highly-
Skilled Professionals

Company History

Ralph Garza and his wife Mary, established Solar Electric Co., Inc. in 1979. Solar Electric strives to become the most-well known and reputable service providers in the New Mexico and Texas area with a targeted focus on safety, Ralph died suddenly in 1989 leaving a company of nine employees and numerous responsibilities. Realizing the state of the economy and how dependent the employees were on Solar Electric for their livelihood Mary rolled up her sleeves and continued running the business. She asked only that the employees hang in there with her and kept Solar Electric doors open.

Solar Electric Co., Inc. performs electrical contracting services for numerous State and Federal agencies throughout New Mexico and Texas. Solar Electric a rapidly growing, employee involved company, is well respected for their specialty work in the following areas:

High voltage Distribution Overhead and Underground
Highway Lighting
Traffic Signals
Fiber optic
Industrial and Commercial General Electrical Contracting
Industrial and Commercial General Construction

Today, 24 years later, Solar Electric is one of the most prosperous electrical contracting companies in Southern New Mexico. As a Minority, Woman owned Small Business both physical and fiscal capabilities had to be re-established in order to obtain sufficient bonding credit. The firm originated with a bonding capacity of $25,000 and now has bonding capacity in excess of $6.6 million, obtaining some of the highest electrical contracts through Mary’s perseverance. She now employs 50. Incentives are offered to the employees in specialized training, profit sharing and include management and office staff in company decisions.

Solar Electric has been awarded numerous dollars in government contracts at White Sands Missile Range because of its commitment to excellence in the field of analytical data, work quality and time performance. Mary has garnered an excellent reputation for being fair, forthright and a person committed to her word.

The success of Solar Electric is based on

Including employees in the decision making process;
Putting the customer first;
Providing quality, timely service to customer;
Sharing the success of the company through incentive programs and
Maintaining a solid reputation as one of the most profitable small business in Southern New Mexico.

On September 13, 1991, Solar Electric was presented with Employer-of-the Year award by the Jobs for Progress Board of Directors in appreciation for participating in the SER program and in recognition of its commitment in training youth.

Mary A. Garza

COMMITMENT AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON HISPANIC COMMUNITY

In recognizing that nothing changes from the outside but only getting involved and changing it from the inside, Mary A. Garza was appointed as the Southern Coordinator for the Rio Grande Minority Council in 1979 and mentors women and minority owned businesses in establishing a solid business foundation. Mary personally sees that applicants are walked through the process of becoming business owner and are given all tools to succeed. She helps many small business owners recognize that as Hispanics and Women, we have to create our own fate.

However, each successful Hispanic and Woman has an obligation to offer other Hispanics and Women, to bring them along until they can stand on their own understanding that in return when their success comes they also have the same obligation. Mary takes great pride in seeing fellows Hispanic and Women owner start and succeed in their own business.

The success rate of the businesses that have begun with assistance under her tutelage in the Rio Grande Minority Council has been phenomenal with many successful Hispanic and Woman owned businesses flourishing in Southern New Mexico. In 1993, approximately 60% of the businesses in Southern New Mexico are classified as Small Business. It is apparent that this segment of the businesses in New Mexico is rising and needs the expertise and assistance of people like Mary A. Garza.

Mary’s strengths, in addition to running a successful business, are her ability to listen and communicate with all types of people. She has established excellent business relationships with local and national clients. Her positive attitude coupled with her dedication to delivering a quality product is a key to her personal and business success.

Some of her awards and achievements include:

Small Business Investment Corporation Board of Directors
2003 Hispanic Small Business of the Year 2003
2002 Award Top 50 Women Owned Businesses of New Mexico
2001 Public Service Co of NM Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards
Board of Director’s, Wells Fargo Bank NM
1999 U.S. Small Business Administration Award of Excellence
1998 U.S. Small Business Administration Award of Excellence
Board Member of the Community Foundation & Southern New Mexico
Director, Las Cruces Public School Foundation
1995 Award “Top 25 Woman-Owned Businesses in New Mexico
1994 Supplier of the Year by the Rio Grande Minority Purchasing
Southern Coordinator with the Rio Grande Minority Purchasing Council which assists women and minority owned businesses in establishing a solid business foundation
Received the 1993 U.S. Hispanic Business Woman of the year award for region II (for 9 states.)
Member of the Small Business Advisory Council

New Mexico First member
Honored Member of Who’s Who Worldwide
National Contract Management Association member
Memorial Medical Center Board of Trustees
Board Member and First Vice President, Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces
Vice President, Omega Beta Sigma Phi
Charter member of the Better Business bureau
Colonel, Adie-de Camp, on the staff of the Governor of the State of New Mexico
Honored member of Quien es Quien with U.S. Commerce
Former President and Vice President of the Santa Fe Democratic Women’s Club
Historian for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Women’s Auxiliary
Co-Coordinator for Senator Dominici Small Business Advocacy Council
Past President of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary

Mary is a Business College Graduate and is the mother of two children; Melinda, a graduate of New Mexico State University and David, a graduate of University of California at Berkeley.

Joe Newcomer

806 W. Hadley
Las Cruces, NM 88005
+1 (575) 523-6633
Jnewcomer@solarelectriclc.com

I have forty years’ experience in the construction and maintenance of transmission and distribution systems. I am General Manager for Solar Electric Company, and I am the qualifying party for the company with the New Mexico EE-98 and EL-1 Med voltage contracting license. I’m responsible for managing both revenue and cost elements of Solar Electric’s income statement. I not only manage day to day operations, but sales and marketing. My responsibilities include planning, estimating, delegating, coordinating, staffing, organizing, & decision making to maintain a profitable organization.

Jason Garza

806 W. Hadley
Las Cruces, NM 88005
+1 (575) 523-6633
Jgarza@solarelectriclc.com

As Project Manager for Solar Electric, I put an emphasis on leadership, innovation, and have the drive to be the best in the industry. I also estimate projects for Solar Electric Company. I currently hold a New Mexico EE98J journeyman license and EE98 contractor license. I have worked many facets of the construction industry. My experience includes over twenty years in the electrical field. I also have experience on heavy equipment, such as backhoes, excavators, and trenchers, plus a mechanical background with experience of engine repair, welding, and construction in the Oil & Gas Industry. Other training includes Microsoft Project, and QCS software. CQM-C Training, Contract Management, Safety Training, and employee management.