Kendra Dinkins to Lead ECA, Shattering a Century-Old Barrier

CHICAGO, IL – March 12, 2026 – The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago and Cook County (ECA) has shattered a significant barrier in its century-plus history, electing Kendra Dinkins as its new president. The move makes her the first woman and the first Black person to hold the organization's top leadership post, signaling a pivotal shift in an industry long dominated by tradition.

Dinkins, who is also the President and CEO of the fourth-generation, family-owned Taylor Electric Company, steps into the role after serving three years as the association's vice president. Her election is being hailed not just as a personal achievement but as a landmark moment for the future of Chicago’s electrical construction landscape.

“It's a real joyous occasion because we're still breaking barriers,” Dinkins stated. “I want to be able to represent women contractors and Black contractors — and basically be the face for all contractors.”

A Landmark Moment in a Legacy Industry

Dinkins' ascent to the presidency is a profound milestone when viewed against the backdrop of the construction industry's demographics. Nationally, the sector has struggled with diversity, particularly in skilled trades and leadership. Recent data shows that while women now comprise over 11% of the construction workforce, they account for less than 3% of all electricians. Similarly, Black professionals hold just over 6% of construction jobs, with representation thinning significantly at the executive level.

For over 100 years, the ECA has represented the interests of union electrical contractors in partnership with IBEW Local 134, shaping the skyline and infrastructure of the Chicago metropolitan area. Dinkins' election represents a deliberate step toward a more inclusive future for the organization. Her decade of service on the ECA board, including chairing the Research and Education Committee and contributing to the Chicago Electrical Code, has paved the way for this historic transition.

Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President of the ECA, underscored the significance of her long-term commitment. “Kendra’s election represents everything the ECA stands for — investing in people, developing leaders from within and building an industry that works for everyone,” he said. “She has earned this role through years of dedicated service, and we look forward to the progress she will drive for our members and for the city of Chicago.”

From Family Legacy to Industry Vanguard

Kendra Dinkins’ roots in the electrical industry run deep. She stands at the helm of Taylor Electric Company, a firm founded by her great-grandfather in 1922. For over a century, the company has remained 100% family-owned and operated, a testament to resilience and deep community ties. Specializing in commercial, healthcare, and educational projects, Taylor Electric has become a respected name in Chicago, with a portfolio that includes work on iconic sites like Soldier Field.

This heritage provides Dinkins with a unique perspective, blending a profound respect for the industry’s history with a clear-eyed vision for its future. Her experience leading a successful Black-owned contracting firm has given her firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing minority-owned businesses. Under her leadership, Taylor Electric has seen significant growth, partly by participating in projects with institutions like the University of Chicago that have set goals for minority and women-owned contractor involvement.

“The industry as a whole really embraced [my family] — every generation, over the years,” Dinkins reflected. “That's why it's just really exciting for me to be able to serve the industry that's really helped us out.” This sentiment of reciprocity is a driving force behind her new agenda for the ECA.

A New Agenda for Chicago's Electrical Future

Upon taking office, Dinkins has outlined a clear and ambitious set of priorities focused on expanding opportunity and strengthening the industry from the ground up. Her agenda directly targets some of the sector's most pressing issues: workforce diversity and robust support for small and minority-owned contractors.

In a time when an estimated 80% of contractors report difficulty finding skilled labor, Dinkins’ call for expanded recruitment outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is both a moral and a strategic imperative. Her plan aims to build new talent pipelines and ensure the industry reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. This effort aligns with existing local programs, such as those run by the Chicago Urban League, which are already working to connect underrepresented communities with careers in the skilled trades.

Furthermore, Dinkins intends to be a fierce advocate for small and minority-owned electrical contractors, helping them navigate the association’s programs and gain access to larger projects. This priority is supported by the ECA’s existing Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program, which has already helped emerging firms grow. Her leadership promises to amplify these efforts, breaking down systemic barriers that have historically kept smaller firms on the sidelines.

Outgoing President Bob Fimbianti, who now serves as ECA governor, expressed his full confidence in her ability to execute this vision. “It has been one of the great privileges of my time leading this organization to work alongside Kendra and help prepare her for this moment,” Fimbianti said. “She is ready — and then some. The ECA is in exceptional hands, and I have no doubt that her presidency will set a new standard for what leadership in this industry looks like.”

Her three-year term is expected to run through 2029, after which she will represent Chicago contractors on a national stage as governor for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

“I’m Just the Beginning”

Dinkins is acutely aware of the symbolic weight of her new role but views her presidency not as a final achievement, but as the beginning of a much larger movement. She sees herself as paving the way for a new generation of diverse leaders to rise through the ranks of the electrical construction industry.

Her message to the industry is one of both celebration and challenge, a call to action for women and people of color who have long been underrepresented. It’s a promise that her presence in the boardroom is a door being opened for many more to follow.

“I'll gladly be the infantry [for women and people of color] because we've got some great cavalry coming down the line,” Dinkins declared with conviction. “I'm just the beginning. So just watch out, everybody. We're coming.”