Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Aubrey Selfridge: Solving the Invisible Puzzle 

By Matt Solis, Editor

When Aubrey Selfridge was a child, an accidental run-in with electricity sparked a lifelong fascination that ultimately led to a successful career. “I got shocked when I was four years old and swore I’d never mess with electricity again,” he laughs. “Years later, I had the opportunity to work with a neighbor who had his electrical license and became fascinated by the complexity of the trade. It takes a lot of imagination to understand how electricity flows—it’s like solving an invisible puzzle.”

Today, as electrical operations manager of Ongaro & Sons, Aubrey says he’s proud to work for a company that supports interdisciplinary collaboration. “I love working alongside HVAC and plumbing professionals—it allows me to expand my knowledge and innovate. No home or system is the same, so every day is a new challenge. I get to think critically and creatively, which keeps me sharp.”

Born and raised in Healdsburg, Aubrey currently lives in Windsor with his wife and their three children. “I like that Windsor is small and family-oriented,” he says. “We’re walking distance from the kids’ school and we have great parks and a weekly farmers’ market, so it’s exactly the kind of place we want to raise our kids.”

Outside of work, most of Aubrey’s free time is unsurprisingly filled with family obligations, but he says he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Having three kids definitely keeps us busy with school and activities—I’m even the assistant coach for my son’s Little League team—but we also try to get outdoors as much as possible and take trips to my family’s cabin up in Mendocino National Forest,” he says. “Ultimately, though, I’m happy just walking around the neighborhood and talking to my wife while the kids ride their bikes.”

If he could retire tomorrow, Aubrey says he would simply shift gears instead of slowing down. “I would probably become a shop teacher. There’s a real shortage of tradespeople right now, and not every kid is meant to take the college route, so I’d love to guide them toward doing something meaningful with their hands and minds.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are there any quotes that you live by?
A: “You can’t climb the Ladder of Success with your hands in your pockets.”

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: I lean toward tea, but when my workload gets too heavy, I’ll resort to coffee.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
A: Both, but I think I understand cats better.

Q: What’s your favorite local winery?
A: Lando Wines. Their style is very elegant and natural.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Go hiking through a wet forest.