Our new leader is the embodiment of the ‘Bleeds Elm Blue’ mindset

By Mike Holmberg

Over two decades ago, at my son’s 5 year birthday party, my friend Bob Bacon extended an invitation that would profoundly shape my career and life. At the time, as a degreed Mechanical Engineer with a background in manufacturing and the corporate world, the prospect of transitioning to a service organization and stepping into the electrical field felt daunting. I vividly remember the mix of excitement and apprehension that came with making such a significant career shift. Looking back now, I can say with absolute certainty that joining Elm Electrical was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Bob’s vision for Elm was inspiring, and his trust in me to help realize that vision was both humbling and empowering. Elm was a smaller company then, with one location and a little over 40 employees. Today, we proudly operate out of six locations with a team of over 240 talented individuals. This remarkable growth and transformation were possible because of Bob’s steadfast leadership, his relentless focus on innovation, and his unwavering commitment to empowering people. He created an environment where continuous improvement and growth were not just goals—they were expectations.

For me personally, Bob’s mentorship and leadership provided the autonomy to grow both as a professional and as a leader. He trusted Keith Saltmarsh and me to contribute to the company’s evolution, allowing us the freedom to innovate, implement change, and take Elm to new heights. I will always remain grateful for the opportunities Bob provided and for his confidence in my ability to help shape the future of the company.

As Bob embarks on this next chapter of his life, I feel both a sense of pride for all that we have accomplished as a company and excitement for the future of Elm under new leadership. We are fortunate to have someone as talented, innovative, and dedicated as Tim Rzeszutek stepping into the role of President. Having worked alongside Tim and witnessed his growth over the years, I have every confidence in his ability to lead Elm into its next phase.

Tim is the embodiment of the “Bleeds Elm Blue” mindset we value in our team. His innovative approach, coupled with his can-do attitude, has consistently driven Elm forward. From spearheading the incredible growth of our Solar business to developing our prefabrication capabilities, Tim has been at the forefront of progress. His passion for employee development led to the creation of Elm University, ensuring our workforce is equipped with the skills needed to succeed. Tim’s ability to leverage new technologies to achieve bottom-line results, combined with his unwavering commitment to our mission, makes him the ideal leader to take Elm to the next level.

While change is inevitable, I want to emphasize my commitment to Elm and to supporting Tim in his new role. I remain deeply invested in the company’s continued success and will work closely with Tim, Keith, and our entire team to ensure a smooth transition and an exciting path forward.

To Bob: Thank you for your leadership, your mentorship, and your friendship. Your legacy at Elm will continue to inspire us all. And to Tim: I look forward to collaborating with you as we build on Elm’s foundation and continue to grow, innovate, and serve our employees and customers with excellence. Together, we will honor Elm’s past while shaping a bold and bright future.