Joe Holguin joined Prudential Lighting in 1955, with the distinction of being the 2nd employee in our founding year. He led our CL (Custom) fixture department for not just years, but multiple decades. His sons, Mike and Steve, came to work with us as well, in a roundabout way. Ironically, they were employed at a nearby competitor in the 80s, where (even more ironically) Jeff Ellis – yep, our Jeff Ellis – was working. Rumor has it he needed a break from working with his dad. The upside is seeing how others do things. For better or worse, there’s learning to be had and experience to be gained. Mike and Steve made such a positive impression on Jeff, that what he decided to come back to PRU, he brought them along with him.

After starting out on the CL team, Steve eventually transitioned to Engineering, heading our UL certifications, and Mike became our “Manufacturing MacGyver.” He’s a problem-solving ninja, with comprehensive, nuts-and-bolts knowledge of our equipment, toolmaking devices and jigs. Basically anything that leaves everyone else hand on chin, tap-tap-tapping, still goes to Mike and team to figure out.

Steve’s son, Steve Jr., joined the Shipping department and eventually migrated to Engineering like his dad. Four Holguins (plus some of their friends!) have been a vital part of the PRU family for seventy years. And if you tally their years individually, it’s well over 100+ combined. Quite the legacy.