Lew Williams is a big teddy bear of a man. Older with gray hair and a beard, he has kind eyes and a ready smile.
MOTIVATION
A native Victorian, he comes from a family of seven. His dad died when he was young and his mother struggled to raise them on her own. More than once the food bank kept them from going hungry.
So when Lew saw a chance to help out at The Mustard Seed it was an easy yes. He made sure all the electrical was up to code and safe for years to come. As he says, “if I do something, I want it done right.”
He started by figuring it would just take a few hours, “and ended up working 70 plus hours on the project,” during the week of the build. It felt good to have a chance to give back. Houle Electric employees donated over 300 man hours to the project as well as the electrical permit and materials.
He’s also been involved with the Threshold Housing Society project, which was a major build, and the Citizens’ Counseling Centre, HeroWork’s latest project. I suspect he’ll be involved with many more.
Lew addressing some electrical to do with lighting.
COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK
Working with a large number of people over the years, both as a shareholder of Houle Electric and as a volunteer in the community, he definitely sees a need for the services the Citizens’ Counselling Centre provide. As someone who never finished high-school himself, he knows how young people can go off the rails. Having a place to go where they can get the counselling they need, at the time they need it, makes a huge difference in their lives.
He’s also quick to point out trades training opportunities for young people. Not surprisingly, he believes the electrical trade offers a bright future, but says, “if someone’s got an interest in something and follows that, he, or she will probably do well.”
A graduate of Camosun College’s Electrical program in 1972 and one of 21 shareholders of Houle Electric, his trades training gave him the skills he needed to build a successful life, both for himself and his family. Married with three children, he was heavily involved, both as a coach and on the executive committee, in the local soccer community.
Friends and business owners came to know Lew would be asking for contributions, be it for equipment or door prizes at dances put on to support the local league. As he says, “it never hurts to ask. The worst they can do is say no.” That same philosophy serves him well when asking other builders and professionals to donate their time or materials to HeroWorks.
Smiling faces at the job site.
THE FUTURE
Now semi-retired from Houle Electric he spends three days a week on business development and helping to mentor young people. He likes to bring out the best in people and is proud to support the Houle Electric Award for Camosun. It’s particularly meaningful, as both he and all three of his children have attended Camosun College.
Look for him at the next HeroWorks project. Chances are he’ll be there working to make sure the electrical is safe, while taking advantage of new energy saving technology.
You can find Houle Electric and other community-minded company sponsors with people like Lew in the HeroWork Sponsorship Directory.
