Nicholas Gotto, 40, knew at a young age that he wanted to be an electrician. The president and founder of ANR Electric, a full-service electrical contracting company, said that PLCC’s electrical technology program provided him with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities he needed to launch his career.

As a child, Nicholas was instilled with a strong work ethic. “My dad was a bricklayer and my mom was a waitress in a family-owned restaurant. As I grew up, I helped my dad and also washed dishes in the restaurant where my mom worked. I loved making money.”

Following his sophomore year at Coventry High School, he started PLCC’s electrical technology program. “I wasn’t terrible at school, I just had another agenda. Career tech gave me the opportunity to learn a trade while going to school. I loved it, it was all hands-on learning. My grades actually went up when I was at PLCC.”

During the summers, he found odd jobs with electrical contractors. In his senior year at PLCC, he participated in School-to-Work Job Placement at KVA Electric. “I appreciated starting work early and earning money while still in school.”

After graduating in 2001, Nicholas began a 4-year non-union apprenticeship with Associated Builders & Contractors. “I took a lot of pride in learning the code book,” he said. “Working for a variety of contractors, I quickly realized that as electricians, we have to be able to do a little bit of everything, like plumbing, HVAC, and even carpentry.”

By age 21, he was a foreman with Harvey Uhl Electric. “I have always thrived in leadership roles so it felt natural to me.”

When the economy slowed, Nicholas was hired as a maintenance electrician at PPG Industries in Barberton. “When I finished my state license, I worked days doing electrical work and then worked nights at PPG.”

In 2011, he started his business, ANR, Electric, the name created by using his wife, Rachel’s, and
daughter, Alissa’s, first initials in combination with his own. His holding company’s name– JJ Properties LLC–is a nod to his sons, Jaden and Jackson. “I’d always aspired to be on my own,” he said. “It was a proud moment to establish my business in the Portage Lakes community where I was raised.”

ANR Electric now employs 120 people and covers all of Northeast Ohio. Nicholas leads and manages diverse projects in commercial, industrial, residential, and generator divisions. The company is also in the utility realm with high-voltage transmission distribution. “It’s been a crazy ride, and we are always looking to expand. The sky’s the limit,” he said.

In addition to Nicholas’ former employer, PPG Industries, ANR’s large industrial and commercial clients include The University of Akron, The LeBron James Family Foundation, The Ohio State University, MetroHealth, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Kent State University, Goodyear, GoJo, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

As an alumnus who is a successful business owner, Nicholas is proud to be affiliated with PLCC’s
School-to-Work Job Placement. “I love to offer hardworking kids an opportunity to succeed,” he said, adding that he has hired PLCC graduates. “For a lot of kids, college isn’t the answer and the need for trades is great.”