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Construction Industry Titan James Ryley Retiring from Cupertino Electric

Ryley Consistently Grew Revenue and Promoted an Open, Ethical Culture at CEI

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) today announced that its Chief Executive Officer James Ryley is retiring in April 2010, following an illustrious 50-year career with the private company. Ryley has been CEO since 1997 and plans to spend his retirement traveling and spending time with family. He will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors for CEI and President John Boncher will become CEO of the company.

"Under Jim's leadership, CEI has continued to grow revenue exponentially, has taken the company from a local operation in the Silicon Valley to a nationally-recognized solutions provider and has continued to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent in the industry," said John Boncher, President and Chief Operating Officer of CEI. "I am honored to have worked with Jim for the past 21 years and am humbled by his dedication and unique ability to anticipate customer needs. His optimism and boundless energy have helped create a company of people who truly love what they do."

An Industry Leader

"Jim is one of those rare people always demonstrating that integrity and success go hand-in-hand," said Greg Cosko, President and CEO of Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company. "He understands that a successful contractor integrates seamlessly into the process and solves or identifies problems before they're even apparent. Cupertino Electric's reputation as an easy-to-work-with, trusted partner is due in large part to the culture Jim has developed throughout the company."

"Throughout his tenure at CEI, Jim has positively impacted the lives of thousands of IBEW members by focusing on safety, fairness and innovation," said Edwin D. Hill, International President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

"It is a joy to work with companies like Cupertino Electric that treat suppliers with complete respect," said Ron Snow, CEO of Independent Electric Supply. "This attitude comes from the top-down and reflects Jim's approach at CEI that people who feel valued and respected produce better results."

About James "Jim" Ryley

James Ryley was born in Alameda, Calif. and joined CEI in 1959 as an Electrician Apprentice. He served as a Foreman Electrician and Project Manager until 1968, when he was named Vice President of Sales for CEI. In 1981, he was named Executive Vice President and ascended to the role of President four years later. Working closely with his brother, Gene, who retired in 2008 after more than 20 years with CEI, Ryley helped create a company synonymous with honesty and fair dealing. Ryley is best known for establishing and promoting an unwavering corporate value system impenetrable to market influences.

In 2000, Ryley drove revenue at CEI to a record $746.2 million, which represented an annual growth rate of 129 percent. In 2001, Ryley was named Northern California's Ernst & Young "Lifetime Achievement Entrepreneur of the Year." While CEO in 2009, Ryley helped CEI become the highest-ranked electrical contractor with 100-500 employees on the San Francisco Business Times/San Jose Business Journal "Best Places to Work" list.

About Cupertino Electric, Inc.

Cupertino Electric, Inc. is a nationally-recognized, premier provider of electrical contracting services headquartered in San Jose, Calif. With more than 56 years of experience transforming the electrical industry, CEI is consistently recognized as one of the Top 10 Design/Build Contractors in the United States. CEI's Energy Alternatives Division analyzes, engineers, procures, constructs, maintains and operates state-of-the-art solar and alternative energy solutions to help customers meet their specific energy needs and achieve their sustainable building and operating goals.

Press Contact:

Autumn Casadonte

(408) 808‐8034

autumn_casadonte@cei.com

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