LASALLE — Jennifer Bias, president of Ficek Electric and Communications Inc., LaSalle, has announced that on July 8, the state of Illinois officially awarded Ficek Electric and Communications a multi-year, multi-million dollar telecom maintenance contract.
Ficek Electric outbid AT&T to win the initial one year state-wide contract last year. Backed by a 98.9 percent approval rating, Ficek Electric was, again, Illinois’ choice in 2014, and will continue to provide ongoing maintenance for telephone systems within all state agencies, as well as the installation of any new telephone systems and structured low voltage cabling projects as needed throughout the next 10 years.
"I’m thrilled to have won this contract," said Bias. “It’s a great victory for a small, but dedicated, family-owned business. I’m excited to see Ficek Electric evolve, succeed and create new employment opportunities along the way. With last year’s contract, we generated nearly 30 new jobs locally and across the state. With this new contract, we hope to add another 25 to 30 employees. Employees are key to our company’s success, and that is most important to me. By growing and succeeding as a team, we all benefit.”
In February of 2012, Bias won a $115,000 technology “make-over” prize from the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council). The company was also named the NDIA (National Defense Industry Association) Illinois/ Iowa Small Government Contractor of the year later in the year, and Bias was featured on the cover story of the summer 2012 edition of Tri-County Women magazine.
Ficek Electric and Communications Inc. was established by Bill Ficek in 1976. Joining the company in 1979, Jennifer took over as the company’s owner and president upon her father’s retirement in 2005.