Lee and Vanessa Beaman take on a variety of projects

Lee and Vanessa Beaman have that special spark in their relationship: electricity. The husband-and-wife team, co-owners of Beaman Electric, are both licensed electricians.

"Lee has his master's and I have my journeyman's license," Vanessa Beaman said. She added that she will be testing for her master's license in less than a year.

Lee Beaman's pride in his wife's achievements is apparent. "She passed her test the first time only 25 percent of those being tested do," he said.

Lee Beaman's career choice was grounded in family tradition. His father was an electrician, and Lee Beaman worked for him, then for another company for 11 years. In 1993, the Beamans started Beaman Electric Inc., working out of their home for a year before moving to a commercial space. Five years later, the growth of their business prompted them to move to a larger building.

Today, the couple has one part-time and 14 full-time employees. "Field labor is hard to find right now," Lee Beaman said. "We've taken a lot of the (Ozarks Technical Community College) students who took Carl Locke's class. My opinion is you get the best apprentices straight out of school. You can train them in the way you want things done."

Beaman Electric Inc. must be doing something right. Lee Beaman's workers study at the shop and, according to him, the company has had "five or so apprentices pass the journeyman's test, most on the first try."

He said he sees the local climate as good for the construction industry, despite it being an election year. "Springfield is really growing right now. The residential field is clicking along pretty good. The commercial industry is very busy."

Beaman Electric does about 60 percent of its work in residential projects and 40 percent in commercial projects. According to Lee Beaman, the company has developed a good reputation for specialty wiring for such things as lighting control systems in large homes.

"Right now you have the wealthier people wanting the lighting control systems. Years ago it was computers. Lighting control systems will become more common in the future. Life is fast-paced industry is trying to make things easier," Beaman said.

Lighting control systems now available can be turned on via the homeowner's cellular phone.

And as more technology is added to homes and businesses, people need larger and larger amp breaker boxes.

"The old 100-amp service doesn't go far any more. We get a lot of calls for upgrades. It used to be from 60-amp to 100-amp breaker boxes. Now it's 100-amp to 200-amp breaker boxes. We've even done 200-amp to 400-amp. Things like hot tubs and swimming pools pull a lot of power; it takes 50 to 60 amps for a hot tub alone," Lee Beaman said.

Things have definitely changed. "In the 1970s when my dad was an electrician, you could do a small house in two-thirds of the time that it takes today, the way regulations have changed," Lee Beaman said.

And Springfield is now looking at some changes that will have an effect on how wiring is done. Beaman said he expects a new code will be adopted by the city in September. Springfield will also get a third inspector.

"The town has grown to the point where two (inspectors) can't keep up with it all," he said.

The quality of electrical work done in the area is a hot issue for the Beamans.

"A lot of lighting controls have been done by unlicensed people. We try to keep a high standard of electrical work, and it's frustrating to try to keep up with unlicensed workers. I'm happy to see Springfield get a third inspector," Lee Beaman said. "You have to be a master licensed electrician to get a permit. Sometimes people do the work, then call around to try to get someone to get the permit."

Beaman Electric Inc. is a member of Springfield Contractors Association and the Home Builders Association. Lee Beaman, who has served on the Code Review Committee of the HBA, said the committee has worked together with Greene County to let the county government know contractors' needs and concerns.

Membership in the industry organizations is helpful, he added. "We can take one contractor's voice and add it to many. Otherwise, they might not know that there's a concern out here."

As for the Beamans, their future plans are to retain high quality as they meet new challenges and regulations, and as their business continues to grow. "The future is definitely bright," Vanessa Beaman said.