It was his future father-in-law that provided the inspiration for Al Kennedy to pursue a career in the electrical trade. 

“He got me into it when I was 18, and I just really took off with it,” says Al, who has spent more than two decades in the trade. He is a member of IBEW Local 347 in Des Moines and has worked at Baker Group for more than five years. “I wouldn’t say he pushed me toward it, but I really wanted to impress him, so I went down that path. And it has turned out great for me.” 

At Baker Group, Al is a key member of the team in the Panel Shop. He specializes in data center control wiring. In his previous job, which he held for 17 years, he traveled the country, aiding in the setup of electrical control stations. He says he loved the work, but when an opportunity popped up at Baker Group, he jumped on it. 

“Coming to Baker Group was the best decision I ever made,” Al says. “It was hard to leave my previous company, but I felt welcomed as soon as I came here. The mentality of everyone and the environment is so positive. I have not had one negative experience here.” 

Al enjoys the challenge of his work. He does a good deal of fabrication work in Baker Group’s expansive shop in Ankeny, but his position also requires some work on client sites. Al has a degree in computer-aided drafting, which he gained to support his work in creating electrical drawings and schematics. 

“I enjoy starting from scratch and seeing a project through completion,” Al says. “It is great to see how your work fits into the project and how it affects the data center. It makes you feel like your work is worth something. It is also great the way Baker Group is so good about showing employees that they care about them and appreciate their work.”