When Gabe Hernandez, vice president in the Transmission & Distribution Group at Burns & McDonnell, called Nilson Goes, president of Infinite Energy Construction, with a new opportunity, the conversation was years in the making.
Burns & McDonnell and IEC had built a long-standing relationship through projects across the country. Hernandez saw an opportunity to build on that foundation through a formal partnership, mentorship from Burns & McDonnell, and a path for IEC to enter the transmission and distribution market.
The strategic partnership, established in 2022, led to the launch of IEC Engineering. The business unit began with one employee and has since grown to 25, expanding its capabilities to include substation engineering, strategic procurement, substation panel manufacturing & commissioning and professional services.
For Goes, the opportunity represented another chapter in a family business built to grow and adapt. Founded by his father, IEC established its reputation as an electrical contractor supporting commercial, military, aviation and industrial projects across the United States. Goes has continued building the company, expanding its capabilities and reach while reinforcing focus on dependable service.
“A really key thing that Burns & McDonnell does is set up a partnership-type environment,” Goes says. “Being able to earn, defend and grow our reputation of quality customer service and doing what we say we are going to do is very rewarding.”
That mindset has helped IEC identify project challenges and develop practical ways to address them. One example can be found in the procurement process for substation projects.
Materials for substation construction sometimes arrived incomplete or incorrectly ordered. In other cases, materials intended for one project had been reassigned before construction began. These issues could create delays and leave project teams without clear accountability for resolving them.
IEC developed a strategic procurement model to help teams manage that process more effectively. Materials are ordered, received and inspected at the company’s warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri. IEC then organizes the materials in shipping containers according to the sequence in which crews will need them at the jobsite. The approach helps teams identify missing or incorrect materials before construction and gives crews a more organized process when work begins.
IEC has applied the same problem-solving mindset to commissioning. Its teams arrive at the jobsite with a goal of completing commissioning within a week, critical when substation downtime affects the communities the infrastructure serves.
Through its professional services offering, IEC also embeds professionals within client teams to support project and supply chain management, quality control and project coordination alongside Burns & McDonnell.
The willingness to respond to project needs has helped the relationship between the two firms expand. IEC contributes during planning and project execution, helping teams evaluate challenges and potential solutions. This open exchange of ideas has created opportunities for both companies to test new approaches and expand how they work together.
The partnership’s impact also extends beyond individual projects. Since expanding into transmission and distribution, IEC has created 21 jobs in a federally designated HUBZone in Kansas City and established a new office in the same neighborhood.
Goes considers that investment an important part of IEC’s growth. The businesses and opportunities young people see in their neighborhoods can influence what they imagine for their own futures. By growing in the community, IEC can contribute jobs, economic activity and a visible example of entrepreneurship.
“IEC brings an exceptional level of dedication to every organization, project and client it supports,” says Tammy Martin, Strategic Partners Program director at Burns & McDonnell. “Nilson has generously shared IEC’s story across the country, showing other business owners how trust, shared values and a willingness to take thoughtful risks can help build capacity. That dedication, combined with IEC’s focus on operational excellence, is what a true strategic partnership looks like.”
IEC has been honored by Burns & McDonnell as a Partner of the Year. The honor recognizes the company’s project performance, client service and commitment to its partnership with Burns & McDonnell.
Over the course of the relationship, IEC has supported Burns & McDonnell as an electrical subcontractor, engineering firm, logistics provider, commissioning team and staffing partner. Its continued growth reflects a partnership grounded in trust, responsive to project needs and focused on creating stronger outcomes for clients.
