Helix Electric Management Team
Gary Shekhter
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Zupp
Executive Vice President
Brian Eugene Jordan
Executive Vice President
Konstantin "Ken" Emma
Vice President, Preconstruction
Victor Fuchs
President, Helix Las Vegas
Arthur R. Geller
Vice President, Human Resources & Safety
James Gunther
Vice President, Preconstruction and Design-Build
Gary Shekhter
Chief Executive Officer
When Gary Shekhter first immigrated to this country from Odessa, Ukraine, more than one quarter of a century ago, he took a job as an electrical estimator with a small electrical contracting company in Southern California. That first position paid just $5 an hour. Fast-forward 25 years, and today Shekhter is the chief executive officer of Helix Electric, one of the largest electrical contractors in the nation. With more than 1,500 employees, Helix is known for its work on school projects, theaters, airports - even casinos.
But the company has a reputation for more than just its high-profile jobs; Helix Electric is a major contributor to community organizations in the San Diego area. "Helix is a company built on community," explains Shekhter, who founded the firm in 1985. "Our employees and their families live, play and work here. Each completed project - whether a school, hospital, library or apartment complex - benefits our neighborhoods. By contributing financially to the company, I'm able to give back and share with others what Helix Electric has given me."
And by any measure, Shekhter would seem to be giving back plenty. Known all over California for his extensive support of the performing arts - he helped found the San Diego Film Festival - Shekhter is also deeply committed to improving the quality of schools in the area. Everyone should have access to quality education, says the Helix executive, and his own employees and their families are no exception. Concerned that the high cost of education might prevent the sons and daughters of Helix workers from heading to college, Shekhter implemented a scholarship fund that pays for tuition and books.
As Helix has grown, spreading east as far as Las Vegas, Gary Shekhter's desire to 'give back' has traveled as well. The Las Vegas branch office recently started a Helix Electric 'Adopt a Family' program. Every Christmas, the office 'adopts' needy families and purchases clothing, food and toys for them.
Daniel Zupp
Executive Vice President
Daniel Zupp is directly responsible for Helix Electric's Division 20 Building Group and Division 22 Design Built Multi-Family Housing, as well as the firm's private commercial group.
Prior to joining Helix Electric in 1994, Zupp, a licensed electrical contractor with the State of California, was project manager for Steiny & Co. He also served as president of Riviera Electric.
Zupp, who has been in the industry for more than two decades, is a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors Legislative Committee. An avid softball player and a father of two, Zupp lives in Lake Forest, Calif. and Ramona, Calif. with his wife Teresa.
Brian Eugene Jordan
Executive Vice President
As Helix Electric's Executive Vice President, Brian Jordan oversees four operation divisions, two estimating departments, engineering, pre-fabricating and purchasing. Prior to joining Helix in 1988, Jordan, a 31-year industry veteran, was the owner of Jortech, superintendent of J.R. Youngdale Construction and an electrician and superintendent for Redondo Electric.
A San Diego native, Jordan has served on the board of directors for the Associated Builders and Contractors, and is a member of Associated General Contractors. He also sits on the board of directors of the North Coast Calvary Chapel. Jordan, a father of five, lives in Olivenhain with his wife Marion.
Konstantin "Ken" Emma
Vice President, Preconstruction
Since joining Helix Electric in 1990, Emma has been in charge of private projects in California and Arizona. Emma, who holds a master's degree in structural mechanics from Rostov University in Russia, has also worked as a designer for Coneer Engineering, and for Gafcon, Inc. A native of Rostov-On-Don, Russia, he currently lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Svetlana.
Victor Fuchs
President, Helix Las Vegas
As Helix Electric's President, Victor Fuchs is in charge of the Las Vegas division which currently performs over $100 million in work each year.
Mr. Fuchs began his career at Helix in 1982 as a Project Manager. In 1995, he was Vice President and Division Manager when he transferred to Nevada to launch the Las Vegas division. In 2001, Mr. Fuchs acquired ownership of the Las Vegas division. Mr. Fuchs holds a degree from U.C.S.D.
Mr. Fuchs is involved with YPO, NAIOP, NDA and sits on the Board of Directors for both ABC and AGC.
Arthur R. Geller
Vice President, Human Resources & Safety
As VP of Human Resources & Safety, Geller oversees recruitment, employee relations, training, development and safety. Geller, who has been in the industry for 25 years, joined Helix Electric in 1990. Prior to Helix, Geller was director of human resources for James Hardie Industries. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, board member for the Associated Builders & Contractors of California, past chair of the Associated Builders & Contractors of San Diego Training Trust, and a national trustee for the Associated Builders & Contractors Legal Rights Foundation. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Geller graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in human resource management/organizational development. He currently lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Maxine.
James Gunther
Vice President, Preconstruction and Design-Build
As Helix Electric's Vice President of Preconstruction and Design-Build, James Gunther is responsible for all Design-Build projects along with Sales and Marketing for the Las Vegas office.
Mr. Gunther joined Helix Electric in 2002 as a 22-year industry veteran. Starting as an apprentice for his family owned business, Mr. Gunther has held various positions with several large Electrical Contractors including project manager and division manager. Mr. Gunther was also President of BBE in Maryland, a large consulting and design firm. Mr. Gunther holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and has completed numerous electrical training classes and seminars and is a licensed Master Electrician.
Gunther, a Baltimore, Maryland native, holds membership in the NDA, AGC, NAIOP as a member of the Government Affairs Committee, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Los Vaqueros Charitable Organization and the Design-Build Institute of America. He currently resides in Henderson, Nevada with his wife and daughter.
