Person of the month

Electrical Apparatus, Jun 1999 by France, Sarah

This month Bill Zirkel, president of KBZ Electric, Inc., Mansfield, Ohio, will complete his term as international president of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association. Zirkel and his wife Linda reside in Mansfield, Ohio. They have a daughter, Jill; a son, William Jr.; and three grandchildren. Zirkel has worked in the electrical industry for almost 40 years and recalls that he developed his interest and enthusiasm for the industry as a youth helping out family members who were electrical contractors.

After graduating in 1956 from Mansfield Senior High School in Mansfield, Ohio, Zirkel enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a combat engineer. In 1957 he was sent as a demolition specialist to be stationed in Berlin, Germany. Zirkel was on active duty for approximately three years and at the time of his discharge was a communications specialist.

After leaving the military in 1959, Zirkel began working as an inside sales person for Phoenix Electric Co., Mansfield, Ohio, which in 1964 changed its name to Phoenix Sales & Electric Co. and later in 1970 became Bonham, Inc. Zirkel remained employed at the company for 22 years and in February of 1981 founded his own company, KBZ Electric, Inc.

It was during his time spent at Phoenix Electric Co., in 1960, that Zirkel's then-employer, Robert A. Bonham, took him to his first meeting of the National Industrial Service Association, which later became the Electrical Apparatus Service Association. Zirkel went on to become active in the Central Ohio Chapter of EASA, holding the offices of president, vice president, and secretary treasurer. In July 1998, Zirkel was installed into office as international president of the association.

Zirkel attributes much of his knowledge of electrical service to continual self-education. "I love to read," he says. "I literally devour every technical magazine that comes across my desk." He attends as many training courses as he can, including those given by industry manufacturers as well as those given by EASA.

When not reading technical articles, Zirkel often likes to read about the American Civil War and the Old West. In addition, he enjoys cowboy shooting, flying, hunting, and fishing. A member of the Richland County Fish and Game Protective Association since 1969, Zirkel has held nearly all offices in that organization and has been a four-time president.-SF