Robert Hughes began his career over 15 years ago, starting as an apprentice electrician, a role that grounded him in the fundamentals of the industry. From these humble beginnings, his tenacity and talent propelled him through various critical roles within the company, including stints as a project manager, director of construction, vice president of operations, and ultimately, president of Canyon State Electric.
Canyon State Electric has a mission to better lives and communities by offering a single-source solution to electrical construction that provides opportunities for achievement and growth.
Under Hughes’ leadership, the company has tackled accelerated multi-million dollar projects that have significantly shaped the infrastructure of the Phoenix Valley, such as mission-critical data center projects, the White Claw Brewing facility, and the Maya Hotel. His business strategy and leadership led to a 72% increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023. Hughes has also been instrumental in overhauling training and recruitment processes at all levels of the company while focusing on advocacy, serving as a board member for BYF Arizona and the American Subcontractor’s Association of Arizona.
“Robert Hughes’ entrepreneurial journey through Canyon State Electric exemplifies how individual drive and leadership can elevate a company and influence an industry,” said his colleagues. “He demonstrates a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation and an unwavering commitment to the growth and development of both his team and the construction sector at large.”
Hughes’ efforts have led the company to receive accolades including the Real Leaders impact company award, recognition as the American Subcontractor’s Association subcontractor of the year, and honors including the Fast Company best workplaces for innovators.
Understanding that the backbone of any successful company lies in its workforce, Hughes has invested heavily in CSE’s accredited in-house apprenticeship program. This initiative is pivotal in equipping employees with essential skills while advocating for lifelong learning and professional development, thus elevating industry standards and fostering a culture of excellence and safety.
As a leader, Hughes said perseverance is crucial in today’s business landscape. “Leaders must be able to adapt to new challenges, learn from failures and continuously strive for improvement,” he said. “It’s not about being perfect; it’s about having the grit and determination to keep learning, growing, and moving forward, even in the face of adversity.”
Noting that the most significant risk he took in his career was to drop out of college and begin an electrical apprenticeship, Hughes said that even though there were moments of doubt, he persevered. “I was driven by my love for the work and my determination to succeed, and now I know, it was all worth it.”
