Our Team

Willie Lortie started his career in 1994 as a trainee apprentice. He quickly learned the trade and within a few years was running major projects for the company.

Willie was working for Journey Electric where Ron Eddlemon was the owner. In 2001 Ron Eddlemon changed its name to Diamond Electric and rebranded the company. Willie was Diamond Electric’s first employee and took on the major projects. Eventually Willie started taking on the large out-of-town projects that included complete service upgrades to buildings such as Kmart, Lowes, Sears, Cultivation projects and many others. Willie worked his way up to become the Company superintendent and oversaw all the projects and manpower. Willie also became one of the company project managers and estimators, he was also involved in some of the companies’ negotiations on major projects.

In 2020 during the pandemic Willie decided he wanted to move his family to South Dakota, settle into a slower environment and enjoy life a little more. He went to work for one of the largest electrical contractors in South Dakota and started running projects for them, including a 400,000 acre project called the South Dakota Sports Shooting Complex, at the time one of the largest government projects going on in 2024-2025.

In June of 2025 Ron Eddlemon, the owner of Diamond Electric contacted Willie and made him an offer to see if he would return to Diamond. Willie rejoined Diamond in June of 2025 and ran a few out-of-town jobs for Diamond. Willie now works remotely from South Dakota as a senior estimator. He also flies back to California from time to time to check on projects and join in on company events.

In Willie's spare time he enjoys time with his wife of 32 years, his children and grandkids. He and his wife also take long hikes and enjoy camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Willie is also an avid snowboarder and downhill mountain biker and loves to fish.