Metropolitan Electrical - Meet Our People

Meet Our People

Mike Kraft
Senior Electrical Project Manager
415-642-3024
mkraft@metroelectric.com

Twenty-five years experience in life safety, security & controls give Metropolitan a unique talent in Mike Kraft. He is an example of the forward thinking hires that Metro specializes in, making sure we stay on the cutting edge of technology. A father of five, Mike squeezes in time to barefoot water ski (!), motorcycle and snow mobile. If you really want to engage in a fascinating discussion, next time you see Mike ask him about his groundbreaking work to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species into Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake.

Jim Stephens
Senior Electrical Project Manager
415-642-3046
jstephens@metroelectric.com

Jim Stephens is a real Metro success story. His journey in the electrical business came via wholesale distribution, then jumping the fence to estimating and project management. His fine work in managing Life Safety, Radio Station and Hospital projects has been the cornerstone of many partnerships for Metropolitan. When he’s not at a job site or behind his desk, Jim is found fishing, surfing and diving. After 32 years in the business (read: old), Jim still makes at least one surfing trip to Baja, Hawaii or Costa Rica every year.

Rob Peter
Senior Electrical Project Manager
415-642-3070
rpeter@metroelectric.com

With 22 years of Electrical Construction experience in the books, Rob Peter is just getting started. His diverse specialization in Commercial, Life Safety and Service makes Rob a valuable member of the Metropolitan Project Management Team. When Rob is not making your project a winner, he is coaching his son’s baseball teams to victory. He also manages to squeeze in some skiing and motorcycle riding, though not at the same time; that’s Dan Twomey’s thing!

Dan McAtee
Electrical Project Manager
415-642-3050
dmcatee@metroelectric.com

Metropolitan Electric's roots run deep, as evidenced by another one of our many second generation San Francisco Electricians, Project Manager Dan McAtee. Dan and his father Bill have spent almost 70 years in Local 6! When he is not coaching baseball or restoring old cars, this father of two can be found all over the world, as he and his high school sweethart wife Laura have traveled to over 20 countries! Ok, that's when he's not on the golf course (or maybe it is), or managing your successful job, of course...

Steve Passanisi
Electrical Service Department Manager
415-642-3031
spassanisi@metroelectric.com

Service Department Manager Steve Passanisi’s abilities garnered from his 29 years experience in the field and office is only rivaled by his passion for the electrical construction industry. This combination of experience, skill and passion has helped create the finest service department in Bay Area. When Steve isn’t worrying about your needs, he’s riding across the country on his motorcycle (he’s been everywhere!) or watching sports from high school to the professionals.

Bill Weindorf
Electrical Division

Bill Weindorf has over 20 years of industrial automation experience. Presently he is in charge of a group that specializes in automation and maintenance. The group also performs power studies, thermal imaging and power quality troubleshooting. Clients include the San Francisco Chronicle and SIMS Metals. As an instructor for the San Francisco Electrical Apprenticeship, he has taught electrical theory, fire alarm, motor control, AC drives and PLCs. Bill is also the co-author of four text books on industrial electricity.

Dan Twomey
Electrical Estimator
415-642-3003
dtwomey@metroelectric.com

A native to the San Francisco area, father of four Dan Twomey’s attention to detail is just one of the traits that makes him a success both at Metro and with our customers. His 30-plus years in the field and office, doing everything from Design-Build to Cost Control Budgeting make Dan invaluable. When he’s not spending time with family and friends, you can find Dan either on his motorcycle or his snowboard. He’s thinking of entering the next Winter X-Games in the downhill motorcycle (on snow) competition, combining his two hobbies into one foolish stunt.

	*Joe Diestel, LEED® AP* Project Coordinator 415-642-3022 jdiestel@metroelectric.com
In his short time at Metropolitan, Joe Diestel has performed work as a project engineer, electrical estimator, and electrical project management point man/project coordinator. LEED Certified, Joe is another shining example of the multi-tasking talent pool Metro draws from.

Gary Olson
Data Communications Department Manager
415-642-3026
golson@metroelectric.com

Like the staff he oversees, Gary Olson manages the Data Department with professionalism unrivaled in this business. As with all our department heads, Gary is not afraid to be involved in the smallest or the most daunting of situations. This native San Franciscan boasts 16 years experience in Voice/Data Communications and brings every minute of that to any project he touches. Father of two sons, Gary’s non-Metro time is devoted to being the best dad possible. He also attempts to be the best golfer, softball player and wakeboarder when he has the time to get out on the course, field or water.

Steve Borghello
Data Communications Service Department Manager
415-642-3053
sborghello@metroelectric.com

He runs Metro’s Data Service Department, estimates and project manages. It seems that there is nothing that Steve Borghello can’t do. Well, ok, he can’t fly a plane (that we know of). If you work with Metropolitan’s data group, chances are at one time or another you will work with Steve. His 18 years in the industry are almost exactly divided in half with his field and office experience. Steve’s work teaching at the apprenticeship assures the next generation of telecommunications professionals will be as good or better than this one. This sports fan loves spending time with his lovely wife and two children, and like many of our employees, you’ll find him on the field coaching them.

Bob Brucks
Data Communications Superintendent
415-642-3025
bbrucks@metroelectric.com

Data Superintendent Bob Brucks spent 15 years in the field before joining the Metro office to run our data manpower. He is of course well qualified in data, voice and fiber, and has a tremendous working knowledge of our field crew. His job, working with the project manager, is to provide your project with the very best technicians available, and Bob never disappoints. Like so many of our staff members, this father of a beautiful daughter is an outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, playing sports and riding motorcycles.

	Jeff Holland Data Communications Project Manager 415-642-3048 jholland@metroelectric.com
Jeff Holland has been with Metro for 15 years, and brings 24 years experience in the field and office to give our customers the very best in data project management. Jeff’s extensive knowledge and ability to keep current with this ever-evolving industry is a shining example of the type of employee Metropolitan is proud having manage your projects.

	Allan Lopez Data Communications Project Manager 415-642-3041 alopez@metroelectric.com
Metropolitan prides itself on hiring employees that can do it all for our customers. Allan Lopez draws upon his 17 years experience in the field and office to both estimate and project manage. This athletic (basketball, tennis) father of three is also an avid poker player, which certainly works in your favor when he working in the high stakes world of data communications. Or is he bluffing?

Bob Rigling
Data Communications Project Manager
415-642-3054
brigling@metroelectric.com

Just to prove that not all Metropolitan employees are born in San Franicisco, Bob Rigling’s journey began in Philadelphia, but he found the surfing was better on the West Coast. Bob’s 22 years experience in both the field and office has created an expertise in Cat 6, 5e, Fiber Optics, OSP Cable Plant and Security, to just scratch the surface. In addition to his surfing, Bob enjoys his time fishing, and coaching his son’s little league baseball team. He also practices Karate, so he’s a good guy to have working on your team.

Mike Simonini
Data Communications Project Manager
415-642-3051
msimonini@metroelectric.com

While our Data Department has employees born from as diverse locations as Kiev, Ukraine and Alexandria, VA, we do have our fair share of native South San Franciscans as well. Eighteen year industry veteran Mike Simonini’s ability to run everything from large projects to service work and general construction make him an invaluable part of our team. His fiber optic work knowledge is impressive. Mike offsets his high tech daily work with a love of hunting and camping.

Gene Amchislavsky
Data Communications Estimator
415-642-3030
gamchislavsky@metroelectric.com

When Gene Amchislavsky was a young lad in Kiev, little did he know the success he would achieve and bring to San Francisco’s leading Electrical Construction/Data Communications firm. Gene brings 29 years of experience and an expertise in the design of cabling infrastructures for voice, data, wireless, public address and AV networks. This data estimating father of two is also handy with electricity, tile and carpentry work. Then just to relax after all of that, he’s an avid skier. As with our electrical estimators, Metro’s data estimators utilize the finest computer software programs available to give you the best bid possible. There is no truth to the rumor that when you look up unit pricing in the dictionary you see a picture of Gene!

Scottie Leonard
Data Communications Estimator
415-642-3071
sleonard@metroelectric.com

Metropolitan’s resident tree hugger Scottie Leonard began his career as an electrician for eight years before transferring to datacom. Scottie’s seemingly done it all in this business, and his field and project management work combined with his expertise in phone and voice mail systems, campus environments, data centers and TI work make him a unique and invaluable member of our data estimating department. Just like his partner in crime, Gene Amchislavsky, Scottie dedicates whatever time is necessary to making sure all your ducks are in a row during the bidding process. When he comes up for air, he’s performing and recording music, camping, gardening, hiking, snow boarding and surfing.

Joe Damico
SPD Department Manager
415-642-3043
jdamico@metroelectric.com

Joe Damico’s Grandfather was a 65-year member of IBEW Local 6. Joe’s father is a retired Local 6 member. So of course Joe would have a successful career in Electrical Construction. As the manager of our Special Projects Division, Joe brings his knowledge of wireless construction, modifications and maintenance, and bank TI work into leading this very successful group of project managers and electrical and data field personnel. Joe loves to hunt and fish, but the reason you want to hang out with him is the fact that he is a first class home wine maker. Joe and his lovely wife have three children (including twins), which perhaps gives Joe a good perspective on his management style!

Steve Fonken, LEED® AP
SPD Project Manager
415-642-3045
sfonken@metroelectric.com

Steve Fonken’s nearly 22-year career has seen him work his way up from single-family homes to multimillion-dollar industrial projects. His specialties with Metro include cellular communications, bank, and TI work. When he’s not spending time with his beautiful family, this former shop boy is busy working on his fitness or obtaining his degree from UC Berkeley. Steve was hoping to try out for the Bear’s football team, but his commitments to your projects prevent that.

Mike McAuliffe
SPD Project Manager
415-642-3044
mmcauliffe@metroelectric.com

Mike McAuliffe brings a great expertise in cell site construction to his project management position at Metropolitan. Certified in LAN, fiber optics, CATV, card read/security systems and wireless communications, Mike is a valuable contributor to any special project. Continuing a family legacy that began with his father’s 39 year career with Ma Bell, so don’t be surprised if one day the next generation of phone technology is being managed by one of his two beautiful children!

Russell Wade
SPD Project Manager
415-642-3027
rwade@metroelectric.com

Russell Wade once climbed 250 feet up a communications tower to change a light bulb. He brings that same “get the job done” commitment into the office when running your jobs. After 17 years in this ever-changing industry, Russell can certainly be called an expert in wireless construction. Climbing towers isn’t his only outdoor activity as Russell loves to fish, camp, wakeboard, snowboard and has won many motocross challenges.

Bob Compin
Safety Director
415-642-3036
bcompin@metroelectric.com

Metropolitan Electrical Construction’s Safety Director, 31 year industry veteran Bob Compin is also a Sound & Communications BICSI Technician, so he is no stranger to job sites and what is required to keep them safe. Bob is a Certified Safety Specialist, and is also a member of NFPA, OSHA 500, RSI. Bob of course oversees our safety committee (please see our section on our safety program). He is also radio frequency trained, ComTrain rescue certified, NICET level 1 & 2, and cooks too! This father of five certainly has a full plate on and off the job.