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Donny Bonds: Powering Progress

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

From troubleshooting electrical issues to building a company from the ground up, Donny Bonds has spent his career bringing clarity and reliability to a trade that often operates behind the scenes.

Donny’s path into the electrical industry began while he was still in high school. “We had a class where we had to start thinking about what we wanted to do in life,” he recalls. “A friend of my dad’s was an electrician and he said it would be a good career, so that’s when I first considered it.”

After high school, Donny opted to attend college in pursuit of a business management degree, but rising costs and a chance connection led him back to electrical work. “In 2004, I ran into somebody who told me his dad was pretty high up at an electrical company,” he explains. “College was getting expensive, so I decided to apply. From there, I just kept building my experience and learning as much as I could.”

After a few years in the trade, the small side jobs that Donny was doing for friends and family began to shape a bigger vision. “People started asking me to do things like install ceiling fans or fix things around the house,” he says. “That’s when it clicked and I thought, ‘This is something I could do on my own.’”

Still, the leap into business ownership didn’t come easily. Without a background in entrepreneurship, the idea felt uncertain at first. “I didn’t come from a family that owned a business, so I didn’t really know where to start,” he says. “It took time to build the confidence to step out on my own.”

In 2019, Donny decided to bet on himself and established Pro Team Electric. Today, he says he finds the most satisfaction in jobs that require patience and a sharp eye for detail. “When a client says three other electricians couldn’t figure out the problem and then I do, it’s very rewarding. Electrical troubleshooting can be tough, but when you solve it and everything works, it’s worth it.”

Donny has spent more than four decades in and around San Jose, during which time he has watched the region evolve into a global center of innovation. He says life in the South Bay has shaped his perspective as both a tradesman and a business owner. “It feels like a lot of things start here. There’s always something new, whether it’s technology or ideas. It’s a really progressive place.”

While building Pro Team Electric is a top priority, family is at the center of Donny’s life. He and his fiancée, Veronica, have two sons, August and West, and much of his time outside of work is spent with them on the gridiron. “I coach my older son’s football team and my younger son’s flag football team,” he details. “Basically, if I’m not working, I’m coaching.”

Whether he’s solving complex electrical problems, mentoring young athletes or laying the groundwork for his company’s long-term success, Donny approaches each day with a clear philosophy: Put in the work and keep moving forward.

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future.

Q: Did you play any sports in high school?
A: I played football and ran track.

Q: If you were a pro athlete, what number would you wear on your jersey?
A: 24, for Charles Woodson.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas. We get together with family and things slow down a little bit.

Q: If you could live in the city or the country, which would you choose?
A: Right now, I’d choose the city because there’s a lot more going on, but eventually, I’d love to live in the country. It’s more open, there’s less traffic and I’d have a bigger backyard for gardening.