Management Overview

Steve Watts
President and Owner
Early on, Steve Watts knew two things. One, he had an aptitude for numbers. Finance was an influence in his household, with his father in banking and his mother involved in real estate. Secondly, he knew that he wanted to work with his hands. With that in mind, he became involved in electrical contracting through a family friend at the early age of 18, and rose through the ranks of the successful contracting company in quick succession. Throughout that 10 year tenure at the company, Steve developed a sense of how he wanted to run a company.

In 1990, Steve Watts decided it was time to go on his own. He mortgaged his home, putting everything on the line and started CSI, with the desire to create a company that believed in quality of workmanship, doing business in terms of relationships, not bids, and attracting the best talent.

Nearly 20 years later, CSI is a leading provider of electrical contracting services, with over 350 electricians serving a number of industries in a variety of capacities. CSI recently introduced its Green Solutions group and expanded its service territory by opening an office in Orange County.

Craig Epperly
Chief Operating Officer
Some may think that Craig Epperly is a quiet, unassuming man. Although that may be true, there is another reason for his lack of verbosity – he's always thinking and planning. Always!

Craig has an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, 25 of which have been spent in supervision.  His areas of responsibility with CSI include design/ build projects, initial job set up, manpower scheduling, schedule compliance, foreman training, and total project quality management. Among his hallmark traits include his ability to execute a plan seamlessly, and his well-earned respect and admiration of CSI employees. A consistent and valued part of the CSI management team, Craig is well-known for his supportive and nurturing nature, along with his philosophy of "action speaks louder than words."

Bill Macnider
Chief Financial Officer
Though Steve Watts and Bill Macnider have been acquainted for many years; it wasn’t until 1998 that their friendship became a solid business relationship.

Bill brought over 30 years of business management and accounting experience at a time when CSI was experiencing explosive growth. In addition to evaluating trends and opportunities for expansion and projection of future company growth, Bill provides a fresh financial perspective and helps define CSI's strategic vision. Bill’s contributions to the growth of CSI is profound. Though his responsibilities involve all things financial, he has gone beyond and developed CSI’s internal infrastructure, as well as helping define the vision and scope of CSI’s future as a core member of its management team.

Jeff Margolis
Vice President, Preconstruction
Jeff Margolis is known to be a natural problem-solver. A numbers man at heart, Jeff has specialized in Estimating – both conceptual and hard-bid, and in the development of Design-Build and Design-Assist projects of all sizes. While having supervised Estimating, Engineering and Preconstruction departments for over 20 years, he is exceptionally gifted in his ability to provide the most comprehensive and cost-effective solutions. Jeff effectively utilizes his 30 years of experience in the construction industry, most of which has been spent with major, union-affiliated electrical contractors.

Rick Shaffer
Vice President, Orange County Operations
Anyone who's worked with Rick Shaffer would sum up his most evident qualities very quickly: loyalty and devotion. His dedication is evidenced by having spent his entire 28-year career at one company, quite remarkable for this day and age. His tenure also developed his desire to grow and nurture his people, from which he derives a great deal of satisfaction. Given a greater role to grow uncharted areas, Rick's main area of responsibility will be to establish and grow CSI's Orange County operations.

Andy Klein
Vice President , Antelope Valley Operations
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. With his father and uncle both in the trade for nearly 50 years, Andy Klein naturally assumed the leadership of a second generation of tradesmen. Now, he and his brother both work in the trade, a long way from Andy's introduction to the business as an 8-year-old going to work with his dad on the weekends. Andy has developed his legendary reputation as an astute and effective manager over his 35 year career and has amassed a rather diverse portfolio of projects ranging from FAA Radar installations and mission critical systems to the exclusive Ritz Carlton in Pasadena.

Steve Goad
Vice President, Transportation Group
A natural leader, Steve exercises his 35 years experience in the traffic signal and street lighting industry in many ways.  His ability to bring a project together and manage it through completion is an amazing thing to watch. Steve has been primarily responsible for building and expanding the Transportation business for many of the companies where he worked. Bringing extensive knowledge in all aspects of the industry, Steve has a keen grasp of the collaboration process and uncannily brings innovative solutions to the ever-changing aspects of his job.

Paul Pica
RCDD – Vice President, Special Projects Group
Identified early as someone who "had spark", Paul Pica was handpicked to start his career at the tender age of 16. With a strong work ethic instilled in him by his father, Paul parlayed that first job into a remarkable career spanning over 24 years of professional experience in complex and highly technical projects.  Paul has actively managed and developed complex design-build projects, data centers, critical systems, process controls and alternative energy solutions.  He has fostered teamwork and creativity by providing the support, experience and framework necessary to achieve and maintain the high level of quality and technical service our customers expect.  

Tim Uvalle
Vice President, Project Development
Taking a page out of CSI playbook on enthusiasm, Tim appears that he wrote it himself. Tim is energetic and responsive, consistently displaying a passion for solving problems. Mr. Uvalle has better than 30 years industry experience.  Tim is active in the development of client solutions aiding in the formation of working drawings, design-build conceptual plans, and all phases of pre-construction.

Raul Carlos
RCDD Information Transport Systems
Family plays a very important role in Raul Carlos' life. Influenced by his brother's involvement in the construction trade, Raul has earned 15 years of experience in the Telecommunications industry. Raul specializes in the design and engineering of advanced structured cabling systems. As a professional in the industry; he has acquired the BICSI RCDD credential and is also licensed by the State of California in Low Voltage Systems. His current responsibilities include designing; estimating and managing small to large scale structured cabling projects.