History of California Electric Company The business origins of California Electric Company actually began prior to the turn of the century with the emergence of electricity as a commercial product and at a time when the business community was not certain if electricity was "here to stay". Investing in this business of electricity was a matter of instinct and faith much like our more modern attitudes toward computers and the Internet!

We can trace our business lineage to the formation in 1870 of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Company of San Francisco. Off-shoots of this firm became the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company and the American District Telegraph Company. California Electric Company as we know it today began in 1924 when an electrical engineer and founder of the California Electrical Construction Company, C.I. Chamblin, sold his East Bay interests in the firm to Dan Bronson for $10. Bronson re-organized as the California Electric Company, specializing in industrial electrical construction, motor repair and rewinding, distribution of motors, and electrical supplies In 1928 Dan Bronson consolidated with J.C. Morello, owner of a small electrical business. Business was good until the depression of 1929. In 1931 Bronson and Morello merged with Stanley Rice, owner of the Quality Electric Motor Co. When Mr. Morello died in 1935 and Mr. Rice died in 1938, Bronson acquired their interests and operated the Company as sole owner. The Adeline Street plant was built in 1940. In 1948, Walter D. Vance Jr., his twin Jack L. Vance and brother-in-law Oak Adams formed Vance Electric. In 1951 they bought out Mr. Bronson's ownership in California Electric Company. The three Vances successfully operated the company until their retirement in 1979. On January 3, 1979, the company was purchased by Walter D. Vance III, brother Richard J. Vance, and James D. Vance (Jack's son). In May, 1998, Walter D. Vance, III retired. The company is now operated by James Vance and Richard Vance.