Meet Tony Collova

A Career of Continued Growth

That mindset led Tony to Preferred Electric in 2015. Although the company was considerably smaller at the time, he recognized the strength of its leadership and the opportunities ahead. "Preferred was small at the time, but you could tell it was an up-and-coming company," Tony recalls. "The leadership was strong, the personalities were a good fit, and it felt like the right place to be."

As the company grew, Tony's responsibilities and leadership expanded with it. Today, he oversees project bidding, procurement of materials and subcontractors, project execution, scheduling, and communication with clients and project teams. Beyond managing his own projects, Tony reviews bids and contributes to Preferred's strategic direction through planning initiatives.

One milestone that stands out in Tony's career is an electrical and mechanical upgrade project, which Preferred was awarded in 2021. At the time, it was the largest project he had successfully secured and came during a period of uncertainty within the construction industry. "There was a lot of excitement when we landed that project," Tony says. "It was a significant win for our team." The project launched a successful working relationship and reinforced Tony's confidence in the team's ability to compete for and deliver large-scale, complex work.

Passing Wisdom

When asked what advice he would give someone entering the industry, his answer is simple: always be a student. "Listen, stay engaged, and pay attention to the entire project, even if it's outside your scope," he says. "It takes time to understand how all the pieces fit together." That willingness to learn has also made Tony a valued mentor to younger project managers. Colleagues describe him as strategic, creative, approachable, and a strong problem-solver-qualities that have helped him build trust with both coworkers and clients throughout his career.

Among Preferred Electric's core values, the one that resonates most with Tony is "Can Do." He believes it reflects the mindset that has defined both his career and the culture of Preferred Electric. "We take on challenging projects that other people don't want or don't think are possible," he says. "You can't just wing it. You need a plan. You need to understand the risks and know how you're going to handle them. We don't limit ourselves."

Outside of Work

Faith and family are at the center of Tony's life, and he gives God all the glory for the opportunities he has been blessed with and the successes he has achieved. Tony enjoys spending time with his wife Lindsay and their seven children. Much of their time together is spent caring for animals and maintaining their property-work that requires many of the same qualities that Tony brings to the jobsite: dedication, problem-solving, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves. Whether at work or at home, he finds satisfaction in taking care of what matters and seeing the results of hard work firsthand.

Looking Ahead

As he looks toward the future, Tony remains focused on helping others succeed while continuing to support the growth of Preferred Electric and Horwitz. Through mentorship, leadership, and decades of industry experience, he is helping prepare himself and others to take on the challenges of an evolving industry.

Tony's career is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of a can-do attitude. From his beginnings in the field to his leadership role today, he continues to embody the values that drive Preferred Electric forward-taking on tough challenges, supporting his team, and finding solutions that make a lasting impact.