Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Henry Acosta: A Powerful Achievement

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN MARTIN — Unlike many young people, Henry Acosta didn’t have the luxury of gradually deciding on a career. Fortunately, he’s still enjoying the one he ended up with. “When I was 17, I had to go to work to support my mom and brother,” he remembers. “I was looking for any work I could find and came across an electrical company that had an opening. Over time, I worked my way up through the ranks, and at age 22, I got my license and started my own business.”

Today, as owner of California Power and Light, Henry says his favorite part of his job is seeing the results of his work. “I love the process of starting from scratch and watching the final product develop. At the end of the job, it’s very satisfying to see the transformation that has taken place with everything wired up and functional.”

Originally from Miami, Florida, Henry came to the West Coast at the age of 21, where he re-established himself in the Bay Area. Today, as a resident of Morgan Hill, he expresses his appreciation for life and work in the Silicon Valley. “I love the weather and scenery here; in Miami, you don’t see many hills or mountains. Also, as an electrician, it’s neat to be living and working in the technology capital of the world.”

Outside of work, Henry engages in a variety of active pastimes. “I play in a local basketball league, and I like to play golf whenever I get a chance,” he says. “In addition to playing, I enjoy following professional basketball and golf.” Henry also likes pursuing outdoor activities with his wife, Linda, and their three children, Sidney, Amalia, and Enrique. “We’re a pretty outdoorsy family, so we enjoy things like camping, hiking and boating.”

In his life and career, Henry espouses the importance of providing options for clients. “I think it’s crucial to be upfront and honest with customers about their situations and give them options,” he explains. “Some electricians will come out and tell you that your whole house needs to be rewired, when in reality, there may be other, more affordable ways to resolve the problem. While safety is the first priority, I feel it’s also important to provide customers with economical options when they’re available.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Henry says he’d take some time to recharge his batteries. “I’d probably take my family on a long vacation and just relax. Of course, assuming I had the extra time, I’d also start playing golf more often.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Golden State Warriors.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Ladera Grill in Morgan Hill.

Q: Reality TV or documentaries?
A: Documentaries.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Chocolate-covered almonds.

Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Chess pieces. I have pieces from all over the world, including Russia, England, Greece, Mexico and Vietnam.