As chief executive officer (CEO), Rick Oertli seeks to formulate and deploy creative corporate strategies that enable Guarantee Electrical Co. to most efficiently and proficiently deliver service to its nationwide clientele.

Oertli joined Guarantee in 1985 as a project manager after a brief stint at Southwestern Bell Corporation (now AT&T).  In 1988, he formed a Guarantee subsidiary, Sōnacom, purchasing the communications and systems entity from Guarantee in 1989.  He was Sōnacom president until returning to Guarantee as CEO and a member of the board of directors in 2001.

Oertli has been a driving force behind the company’s multi-year ownership transition program. Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, its executive team and more than 100 office employees anticipate full ownership of the company by 2012.

Oertli serves in a number of leadership positions as a board member for:

• the Federated Electrical Contractors (an international electrical contractor consortium founded in 1962);
• the Regional Business Council of St. Louis;
• the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America;
• the St. Louis Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization;
• the National Council for the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University;
• the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation;
• Parkside Financial Bank & Trust; and
• Construction Leadership Institute Advisory Board. 

He also is a past board member of:

• the Center for Emerging Technologies;
• Junior Achievement of Mississippi Valley, Inc.; and
• First National Bank of St. Louis.

Oertli has been widely recognized for his accomplishments and contributions to the industry.  Notable awards include:

• St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40
• Washington University’s Young Alumni Achievement Award
• Two-time winner of the Arthur Andersen Top 25 Small Business Award (Sōnacom)
• Two-time recipient of the St. Louis Regional Technology Fast 50 Award (Sōnacom) 

Oertli earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington University and his master’s of business administration degree from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.