B&B Electrical & Utility Contractors, Inc.
Lighting Your Way Since 1982
Our Story
B&B Electrical & Utility Contractors has been in continuous operation since 1982. We were founded on the principle of total customer service and quality workmanship. Our experienced crews are prepared to handle any job from a one-hour service call to a multi-million dollar construction project.
In 1982, Brien Blakeney founded B&B, which started as a small residential electrical service provider. Not long after the company’s establishment, the decision was made to venture into the commercial and industrial markets, and also to start working with various municipalities and counties to install and maintain their ball field lighting. B&B Electrical Contractors was incorporated in 1985.
In 1994, the decision was made to explore the electrical utility industry. B&B Utility Contractors, Inc., was the product of that expansion. Incorporated in 1995, B&B Utility provides overhead and underground power distribution, lighting, design/build contracts, and traffic signalization construction. B&B also provides airfield lighting—including taxiway, runway, approach, and beacon tower installations.
In 2002, B&B incorporated the sister companies, B&B Electrical and B&B Utility, into one company name, B&B Electrical & Utility Contractors. Then, beginning in June 2004, B&B expanded into yet another specialty service with the substation construction and maintenance division. B&B was successful in acquiring a branch of substation veterans with a wealth of experience. This additional division complemented all existing services the company provides. Since then, we have added a Substation Civil and Relay Department. Relay and Controls gives us the capability to provide services for substation monitoring, protection and controls. Our conglomerate of departments furthers our ability to take on the full scope of our clients projects.
B&B is headquartered in Canton, Mississippi with an additional office in Nesbit, MS. Though headquartered in MS, B&B is licensed and actively performs work for clients in most of the Southeastern United States while responding to foul weather situations across the country.
Kenneth Blakeney, 1966
Father to Brien Blakeney, A lineage created.
Leadership
Austin Blakeney
President
Austin Blakeney began working for B&B Electrical and Utility Contractors in the summer of 2003, moving through the Fleet, Underground and Overhead departments year after year.
In 2007 Austin went through a short Lineman Training course at East Mississippi Community College—learning climbing and basic lineman skills. Between 2008 and 2012 Austin worked in the Substation Department, primarily in the Overhead division, during school breaks while enrolled at Mississippi State University. From which he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Public Relations in the fall of 2012.
Austin went full time with B&B in January of 2012 as the VP of Field Operations. He works directly with department supervisors and field employees to help ensure B&B’s operation in the field runs smoothly and efficiently. Austin’s passion for the industry runs deep in his family roots with his Grandfather (pictured right) a retired MP&L and Energy Lineman of 43 years and his father Brien starting B&B in 1983. Austin was instrumental in supporting B&B’s growth over the past decade and he was named President in March of 2022, succeeding his father. Austin is a hands-on employee that is willing to do whatever it takes to help get the job done.
Coming up during the evolvement of safe work practices in the industry, safety takes a front seat over everything else. He received his COSS certification as a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist from Alliance Safety Council in 2013.
Brien Blakeney
Strategic Advisor
Brien Blakeney founded B&B in 1983, at the age of twenty-one, after completing Electrical courses and working in the industry for a number of years—during which time he obtained his Master Electricians license. He began with residential electrical service and new electrical construction. Focus was placed on providing these services 24/7/365 and doing so with total commitment to the customer. B&B is a progressive company that has continually expanded its service offerings to customers while ensuring team members are highly trained and professional.
Over the years, a priority for best practices and staying on top of evolving materials and technology has always been an emphasis for Brien. Thus ensuring B&B Electrical and Utility Contractors provides the highest of expertise and professional care for our customers. Brien has surrounded himself with team members that have many years’ experience in the industry and that share a common goal—providing a safe working environment for our employees, and providing a quality and professional service to our customers.
He has served on many industry boards and committees throughout his career in the electrical contracting business. He still regularly attends seminars and classes, as well as safety and best practices training—which is so essential to our industry. He understands the challenges our employees encounter because of his previous field background and is able to keep our team members focused on our customer service philosophy that B&B was founded on in 1983.
Brien Blakeney retired as President of B&B in March of 2022 and has taken on the role of Strategic Advisor with United Utility Services, parent company of B&B.
Join the Team
How We're Different
A United Utility Company
As a United Utility company, along with our counterparts, we have boundless resources allowing us to create opportunities of next level value, growth and success within our industry.
24/7/365
Our experienced crews are always on call to respond to any storm restoration needs throughout the United States.
Safety & Training
Safety is a core value. Providing the safest work environment possible and investing in training for team members is our ultimate commitment to both our employees and clients.
New Construction
We bring all of your electrical projects from the drawing board into reality.