Page 22 - The Compass 2017 | Volume 12 | Issue 4

estiny seemed to be push- [Hadley Electric was almost
Ding Brett Hadley into the exclusively into residential
family trade at an incredibly new construction.] We were
young age. At only 14 years swamped. I’d tell them we could
old, he attained his apprentice get to them in a few weeks, but
electricians license. Brett’s even then, I knew if one of our
grandfather was an electri- big contractors needed help,
cian. His father and his uncle they’d get pushed. That’s just
were electricians. And now he the way it was,” Brett explained.
would be an electrician. “These homeowners were
Rich Hadley, Brett’s grand- begging for help. I had three or
father, opened Hadley Elec- four people say, ‘I’ve called every
tric in Ogden, Utah, in 1954. electrician in the book. Who can
Brett’s dad, Alan, and uncle, I call to get some work done?’
Calvin, purchased the com- But that day didn’t leave me. It
pany from their father in the got my brain working. And then
1980s. Whether it was said or my father-in-law called me one
not, once Brett began wiring day. My father-in-law is Mike
homes while in junior high, Bachman.”
everyone knew Brett would be Brett didn’t need to introduce
Mike. Mike is a longtime PSI
part of the third generation member. In fact, Mike Bachman
owning and operating the fam- Plumbing was the first compa-
ily namesake. ny featured on the cover of the
Brett wasn’t always so cer- master home services owners steve lin anD brett haDley very first issue of The COM-
tain. “My dad actually fired me PASS Magazine in 2006. “With-
in high school,” he said while trying to hold back a snicker. in a week or two of that experience I had in the office, Mike
“He said I wasn’t reliable, and I wasn’t. He told me to go to the called me and said he was thinking of going into the electrical
Subway down the street and get a job. That’s what I did for a field. He wanted me to go with him to Vegas.”
year…” Mike wanted Brett to go to the very first Electricians’ Suc-
“It was the best thing my dad did for me. It made me realize cess International Profit Day. And he accompanied his father-
I had something really good with my dad. I went back [to in-law. As Brett explained it, Mike stood in line to sign up
Hadley Electric] and became the best employee he had after as soon as the doors opened the morning of the meeting. He
that,” Brett said while laughing once more. wanted to be the very first ESI member—and he was.
The position became full-time following high-school grad- An inevitable conversation came next. Mike asked Brett if
uation, two years of college, a two-year mission to Germany, he’d come to work for him. In his heart, Brett new residen-
marrying his lovely wife, Shannon. “It really felt like the best tial service provided an exciting opportunity. When he re-
decision for me, to become an electrician.” turned to Utah, he sat down with his bosses (his family) and
Brett’s life appeared to be falling perfectly into place. His informed them that he was considering leaving. “I reasoned
entire future before him, and it would play out seamlessly. with them we weren’t competition,” Brett insisted. “They were
Brett would learn the nuances of owning and operating a entrenched in new construction and really wanted nothing to
small business. In 10 years or so, he would be perfectly posi- do with service work.”
tioned to purchase the business from his dad, uncle, and their The next day Brett’s dad, uncle, and their partner presented
partner, Cordell Hill, all of whom would be looking to ease him with an offer. Brett could buy into Hadley Electric now,
into retirement. and he could start a new residential company, Master Electri-
As life tends to do, it threw Brett for an unexpected loop. cal Service. He would be a full partner in both entities.
Whether it be fate intervening or a higher power, two unrelat- “I had two great offers. It led to a lot of sleepless nights.
ed, yet interconnected coincidences, altered Brett’s interests— I saw the benefits of both. Ultimately, I chose to be with my
so much so, he would choose a different path than the one he dad,” Brett explained. “I love Mike to death. It hurt to break
seemed predestined to fulfill. the news to him, but to his credit, he took it well. He said
he only wanted me to be successful. [Hadley Electric] went
Master eleCtriCal serviCe is Born ahead and paid him for the ESI membership and everything
Every single year, the three Hadley Electric partners, like was transferred to Master Electrical Service. It’s how the com-
clockwork, would take a weeklong cruise. By 2004, Brett had pany was born.”
proven his worth and climbed the ladder to assume a manage-
ment position. Such status meant he was the man in charge serviCe Work Cushions the BloW
during vacation week. DelivereD By the reCession
“A lot of the time, I would be in the office. It was always ESI’s very first Expo would be held in Marietta, Georgia, in
interesting. I kept getting calls for residential-service work. September of 2004. It was eye-opening and exhilarating for

22 THE COMPASS | Issue 4 | 2017