Spotlight On: Rob Smith, CEO, Sargent Electric Co
June 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Rob Smith, CEO of Sargent Electric Company, said that strategic growth, sustainability, the energy transition, and preparing for an AI enabled future are at the heart of the company’s direction. “However, in the medium to long term, the biggest drivers for our growth are data centers and the rise of artificial intelligence,” he said. “When we talk about data centers, we are also highly focused on the new power plants and sources required to support them.”
What were some key milestones for your company during the last year or so?
Our company was acquired in September 2024 by Constructel USA. Constructel is 78% owned by Grupo Visabeira, a Portuguese family owned company, and 22% by Goldman Sachs. This acquisition marked a major milestone for us. In addition to the ownership change, we’ve experienced significant growth in recent years. We’ve doubled our revenue and profitability since our last discussion. We’ve expanded operations both in Pittsburgh and beyond, with much of our recent growth coming from markets outside our home base. That said, we believe Pittsburgh is an underinvested region with immense potential and we’re excited to participate in the emerging opportunities in this region in the years to come.
Could you speak more about how the company’s acquisition is influencing your strategic direction, particularly with regard to operations in Pittsburgh?
While we appreciated our previous ownership, who were local investors, the new owners are very focused on growth. They’re removing barriers to expansion and providing the capital and resources necessary for us to achieve step-change growth. This includes new equipment, tooling, and funding to grow in new areas.
It’s been a fantastic experience, not just for me personally — having worked with global companies before — but especially for our employees, many of whom had never worked for a global organization. Being part of a larger international company has exposed us to new ideas and approaches, particularly in how to support our people and grow sustainably.
While we were already progressive in terms of sustainability, European companies tend to be ahead of the curve. Joining a European firm has pushed us further in applying sustainability principles across our operations, which has been a positive shift.
How has the company evolved over the last century to meet the changing needs of the region?
Sargent was founded in 1907 during the early days of America’s electrification. The founder had worked for Westinghouse and started the company to help install the electrical gear Westinghouse was producing. From there, we played a key role in electrifying homes and industries throughout the region and eventually across the nation.
Over the decades, we’ve adapted to every energy wave, from coal to nuclear, then natural gas, and now renewables. We support all forms of energy that keep the economy running efficiently and cost-effectively for consumers. That adaptability has been central to our longevity and relevance.
What are some significant projects the company is working on in the Pittsburgh area and beyond?
Our goal is to integrate multiple energy sources to deliver optimal value for customers. We’re heavily involved in transmission and distribution upgrades with utilities like Duquesne Light, FirstEnergy, and AEP. We’re also supporting projects that improve reliability for customers outside the region.
Battery energy storage is another major focus. These systems help manage capacity and grid frequency and are increasingly relevant as the energy mix diversifies. One of the biggest changes since our last interview has been the rise of artificial intelligence and the corresponding demand for data centers.
Data centers require three things: energy, water, and fiber. Western Pennsylvania offers all three in abundance, making it a prime location. We expect to see multiple data center campuses emerging here.
We’ve also worked on numerous solar and gas projects and have a long history with nuclear and hydroelectric initiatives. The potential for small modular reactors, in collaboration with Westinghouse — just across the river from our office — is especially exciting. It’s a promising trend that could shape the future of energy in the region.
Could you talk a bit more about the microgrid at the Pittsburgh Airport?
That was a groundbreaking project. The Pittsburgh Airport sits on natural gas reserves and now operates a hybrid microgrid powered by both natural gas and solar energy. They’re expanding the solar field to enhance that system. It was the first of its kind for an airport and really showcases Pittsburgh’s innovative spirit.
What steps are you taking to attract and retain the next generation of electricians and engineers?
We’re an IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) contractor and work closely with our labor partners to develop a skilled workforce through an outstanding apprenticeship program. Beyond that, we run comprehensive internal training and leadership development programs. One of our key initiatives is the NEXT Academy, which offers year-long training in leadership and project management.
We also collaborate with management consultants on training programs to groom future front line supervisors, project managers, and cost control professionals. Every employee has an individual development plan tailored to their goals and our business needs. We support their growth through a mix of online training, hands-on projects, and mentoring.
Our industry is dynamic — new technologies and project types emerge constantly, so we make sure our team is always learning and evolving. This keeps our people engaged and helps us remain competitive.
After the recent storm caused widespread outages in the region — affecting around 450,000 people — our team worked around the clock on storm restoration. We brought in crews from other Sargent locations to help restore power. It was a huge team effort and shows the kind of responsiveness we aim for.
Sustainability and decarbonization are top priorities across industries. How is Sargent evolving to meet these goals?
Although our own operational footprint is relatively small, we have a huge impact through the projects we deliver. About 35% to 40% of our business annually involves renewable energy, helping our clients directly reduce their carbon emissions.
We work on LEED-certified commercial buildings and telecommunications systems that minimize energy usage and offer energy-efficient solutions to consumers. Being part of a European company has also enhanced our approach. We’re now more focused on tracking and reducing our environmental impact, and we’ve established leadership roles around social and environmental responsibility, such as our ESG lead based in Ireland.
Being rooted in Pittsburgh but also now operating nationally, how do you balance local commitments with broader corporate responsibility?
We operate in diverse regions, from California to Maine, and from Texas to Wisconsin, each with its own customer needs and expectations. Our utility clients are leaders in sustainability because power generation is a significant source of emissions.
Our new owners are very serious about aligning all subsidiaries, including Sargent, with shared KPIs for sustainability and corporate responsibility. While we were already moving in that direction, this new structure has accelerated our efforts and introduced more rigorous reporting.
What are your strategic priorities for the coming year?
In the short term, we’re navigating uncertainty related to tariffs and shifts in government spending priorities. However, in the medium to long term, the biggest driver for our growth is data centers and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Data centers require reliable power, water, and broadband — all of which our region can provide. We’re also located near major gas fields and nuclear plants, giving us a unique advantage. Additionally, Pittsburgh is home to institutions like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, which are producing the AI talent and innovations that fuel new industries.
Beyond data centers, we’re also seeing robust growth in utilities, renewables, and telecommunications. We also continue to provide 24/7 service to support our clients’ ongoing needs. It’s an exciting time for us, and we’re optimistic about what lies ahead.
When we talk about data centers, we can’t ignore the new power plants being developed to support them. For instance, there’s a $10 billion gas-powered plant under development in Homer City, near Pittsburgh. It will likely anchor a significant data center campus of its own. Projects like these are reshaping the region’s economic future.
While we’re seeing significant growth in areas like data centers and energy, we’re not neglecting our core operations. Our utility services, renewables, commercial and industrial, telecom work, and 24/7 facility support businesses continue to grow and remain essential to our business.
For more information, contact:
https://www.sargentelectric.com/
