TD West Electric, Inc.

Dinh Nguyen: An Inspiring Journey

By Matt Solis, Editor

Dinh Nguyen has come a long way as an electrician, but his professional journey pales in comparison to the dramatic way he arrived in the United States in the first place. “I was born in Vietnam and left with my parents in 1983—we were some of the original ‘boat people,’” he explains. “I remember being cradled by my mom while we were at sea for four days, hoping we would make it to land. We were fortunate because my dad was the captain of the boat and he was a very good navigator. There were about 30 of us and he changed our lives by safely getting us across the ocean, so I’m very grateful for him.”

After spending time in refugee camps in Hong Kong and the Philippines, Dinh and his family were able to immigrate to the U.S. because of his father’s military background. “We settled in California and I’ve been in San Jose since 1993,” he says. “The whole thing was a crazy journey, but I’m thankful for the opportunities it gave me. I used that experience to make my life better, not just for myself but also for my kids’ futures. I wanted them to have the chance to choose their paths in life without having to struggle like I did. One day I want to write a book about my experiences. I recently shared the story with my 14-year-old daughter, and it was really eye-opening for her and a reminder of how far I’ve come.”

Professionally, Dinh’s initial career choice was computer repair, but after a fallout, he decided to switch vocations. “I chose the electrical trade because it requires specialized knowledge that you can’t just pick up off the streets,” he says. “I’ve always been fascinated by lights and how they operate, so electrical work was a natural fit for me.”

Dinh started as a jobsite helper and worked his way up to a lead electrician at a company that focused on multifamily and commercial projects. Eventually, he reached the level of foreman and superintendent with a different company, but it wasn’t long before he decided to strike out on his own with TD West Electric, Inc. “I loved my job and the people I worked with, so it was hard to leave,” he remembers. “I slowly transitioned to doing my own thing and started working with my brother, and we’ve been doing it ever since.”

Dinh says he loves the flexibility of running his own business because he’s able to volunteer at his children’s school and attend their events, but his favorite part of the job is seeing the growth and development of his employees. “Our guys take a lot of pride in their work, and seeing them mature as both electricians and human beings is truly fulfilling. When I give them more responsibilities, they step up as leaders, and I encourage them to apply the lessons they’ve learned here throughout their lives.”

Outside of work, Dinh prefers to spend his free time with his wife and three children, but he also makes room for a few personal passions. “Nothing surpasses spending time with my kids, so we love going to the park, riding bikes, reading stories and watching movies together,” he says. “I also enjoy photography and fishing. My son is getting old enough to join me on my fishing trips, so I’m looking forward to that.” When September rolls around, Dinh also carves out time to follow his favorite football team, the San Francisco 49ers. “I have an emotional attachment to the Niners—I grew up in the ’80s, so I have great memories of hanging out with friends and watching all of those Super Bowls.”

When it comes to a professional philosophy, Dinh believes in approaching every job with integrity and honesty. “I want to know that our clients got what they wanted instead of feeling buyer’s remorse, so I always try to be upfront and I never use scare tactics to sell them products they don’t need,” he says. “I tell everyone who works here to treat each job with professionalism and pride, like they’re working on their own homes. The goal isn’t just to sell things—it’s to make our clients’ homes better and safer.”

When asked the first thing he would do if he could retire tomorrow, Dinh says he’d take an extended trip with his family. “My wife has always wanted to visit Niagara Falls, so we would probably start in New York, but we also want to check out other spots in the world like the Maldives.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What kinds of music do you like?
A: I like a mixture of everything. I listened to a lot of hip hop and R&B when I was growing up, but now I just listen to whatever is on, from country to electronic music like Avicii.

Q: Who’s your all-time favorite 49er?
A: Ronnie Lott.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I’m actually both. I used to only be a night owl, but as a father of three kids, I usually have to wake up early.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Corn nuts.

Q: Do you collect anything?
A: I collect flashlights. I remember always having them around when I was a kid because I hated the dark, and today I have close to 100. I also give my employees flashlights for Christmas and their birthdays, so it’s kind of funny.