Charles W. Fairchild II Elected Vice President of Integrated Systems for the National Electrical Contractors Association
BACKGROUND
Fairchild has been an IBEW Local 481 Low Voltage Technician in good standing since 1985 and holds multiple
industry and manufacture training certifications, including BICSI RCDD, AVIXA CTS, CTS-I, and CTS-D. Fairchild
started his career in 1983 with AV Repair Company as an equipment repair technician, then moved on to sound and
video installation at Custom Sound & Engineering. In 1986, Fairchild joined Electrical Equipment Company, where
he worked for fifteen years and added sound and video experience to its life safety systems offering.
COMPANY INFORMATION
After more than twenty years of experience in the industry, Fairchild founded Fairchild Communication Systems in
2001 with the support of his family. He started with only a van and some tools, but the company grew significantly
and was recognized by the local business publication’s list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in central
Indiana. Fairchild attributes this success to a focus on working hard and treating people well. The company now has
teams working across three Indiana office locations, serving education, healthcare and other markets with design,
sales, installation and service of most low voltage, optical and wireless systems. Fairchild Communication Systems
operates throughout Indiana, with some national accounts out of state, and an annual revenue of $18 million.
INVOLVEMENT WITH NECA
In 2003, Fairchild Communication Systems joined NECA, where the company benefited from the wealth of experience
and best practices available from NECA, its staff and members. Fairchild has served on the Indiana Chapter’s Board
since 2018. Fairchild is also a member of the NECA IBEW Indianapolis Telecom Apprenticeship Sub-Committee and
the Indiana Statewide Telecom Agreement Negotiating Team. This year, the company joined the NECA Northern
Indiana Chapter. Fairchild sees educational opportunities, collective bargaining experience and advice, and government
relations as NECA’s key services, and values the peer networking opportunities.
INDUSTRY OBSERVATIONS
Fairchild recommends embracing and adapting to the fast pace of change, particularly in Division 27 and 28
Systems. He has observed how technology changed the way we design, estimate, sell, manage, install, track, test
and commission construction work. He notes that the low voltage portion of the electrical package has increased
significantly in terms of contract value and installation hours, as well as quantity and types of systems.
AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Chuck and his wife, Luanne, have been married for 37 years and have four sons. Their family has grown over the
years, and they now have three daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. He enjoys hiking and camping, off road
motorcycles and ATVs. The family has restored a 1954 18-foot Chris-Craft mahogany powerboat, owned since 1982,
and plan to return it to the lake soon. Fairchild enjoys visiting Colorado, as well as historic and patriotic locations.
Chuck received the Governor’s Distinguished Hoosier Award for community service to Scouting, in recognition of his
commitment to leading approximately 70 youth (including all four of his sons) to the rank of Eagle Scout over twenty
years of service. He is currently the President of the Board for the charter organization that supports four active
scouting units.