Evolving from a small shop to a full-service electric and technology contractor, Cochran epitomizes a true legacy
Founded in 1954, Cochran is a family-owned electrical and technology contractor with a longstanding legacy of excellence and innovation. Its roots draw back to Northeast Seattle where ambitious entrepreneur, Walter Cochran, started the company out of a converted apartment, initially as a small electrical shop serving local businesses. In the decades that followed, Walter’s sons, Bob and Gordon Cochran, continued to grow and evolve the company, taking on a range of iconic landmark projects such as Space Needle and Columbia Center.
Since then, Cochran has transformed into one of the US construction industry’s most loved family contractors – recognized as the Family Business of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal – and is proud to offer a full scope of electrical and technology solutions. Today, the company is led by LeeAnn Cochran, Chief Executive Officer and granddaughter of Walter Cochran, who represents the third generation of Cochran’s family legacy. Still headquartered in Seattle, with over 1000 employees across offices in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the company continues to enhance its scope of capabilities, offering everything from preconstruction and core electrical construction to structured cabling, security systems, audio-visual integration, DAS, and telecommunications infrastructure. What truly sets Cochran apart in this competitive market, however, is that it self-performs all its work, guaranteeing exceptional quality, accountability, and expertly delivered integrated solutions on every project.
Prioritizing people
In recent years, Cochran was proud to celebrate its 70th anniversary – a milestone that’s symbolic of its innovative spirit, skilled workforce, and perpetual drive. As the company embarks further on its seventh decade in operation, Bill Doran, President of Cochran, sits down with Construction Today to discuss the core drivers behind the business’ longevity and success, whilst shedding light on some of the projects that highlight the very best of Cochran’s capabilities.
“Being a privately owned business has given us the ability to play the long game. We’re not chasing quarterly results or outside investor expectations; we’re focused on building lasting relationships with our clients, our employees, and our communities,” Bill begins. “We’ve been very intentional about how we grow. Many companies expand too quickly or move into service areas where they lack real expertise. We only expand when we’re confident there’s a genuine need and that we can deliver with excellence. That discipline has provided stability through economic cycles and industry changes. The other driving force is our people. We treat our employees like family because many of them are – we have second and third-generation employees whose parents and grandparents worked here. That continuity and loyalty is something you can’t manufacture.”
Complex project portfolio
By virtue of these fundamental qualities, Cochran has built a robust client network and a stellar reputation, proving the power of its people-centric philosophy. This quality has opened the doors to unended opportunities for the business and a plethora of exciting projects, one of which is the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
“Climate Pledge Arena was one of the most challenging and rewarding projects we’ve ever undertaken. The goal was to transform the historic KeyArena into the world’s first zero-carbon certified arena, all while preserving the iconic seven-million-pound roof that’s been a Seattle landmark since the 1962 World’s Fair. From our perspective, the complexity was immense,” Bill explains. “We installed ten 26,000-volt substations and a 5000-volt emergency generator to provide reliable power whilst supporting the arena’s sustainability commitments. We also deployed high-density wireless coverage through a distributed antenna system to ensure connectivity for 18,100 fans, along with professional broadcast and audio-visual systems for world class entertainment. Coordinating multiple trades underneath that preserved roof structure required precise planning and execution. I’m very proud of what our team accomplished, delivering a complex, time-critical project on time and on budget whilst helping set a new standard for sustainable venue design.”
Similarly, Cochran’s works on the T-Mobile Park stadium (which is also located in Seattle) offers an illustration of the comprehensive talent and technical expertise of its team – in particular, its experience in system interoperability.
“We support the technology, electrical, and security needs of the Seattle Mariners on an ongoing basis, which has led to some transformative work. We recently led a $10 million infrastructure upgrade that modernized the ballpark’s technological backbone, rebuilding 36 telecom rooms and installing over one million feet of cabling, all while the facility remained operational,” Bill elaborates. “Simultaneously, we completed an $11 million security upgrade that included 567 cameras, 193 access control points, and a 4.2-petabyte surveillance storage system. What makes this work possible is our integrated service model. Because we have in-house expertise across electrical, low voltage, security, AV, structured cabling, and DAS, we can ensure all these systems communicate and function together properly. In a venue like T-Mobile Park where you’re dealing with broadcast requirements, fan connectivity, point-of-sale systems, and security infrastructure all at once, that interoperability is critical.”
Organic growth
Looking to the months ahead, it’s evident that 2026 is going to be another highly successful year for Cochran. Remaining focused on strategic growth, the company looks forward to taking on more projects and expanding its geographic reach and service capabilities.
“The office expansions in Boise, Bend, and Wenatchee are a big priority; we want to establish strong local teams in those markets and build the kind of long-term client relationships we’re known for in Seattle and Portland,” Bill reveals. “On the project side, we see continued momentum in data centers and expect to be pursuing semiconductor-related opportunities as those investments materialize in the region.
“I’d like to see Cochran as the clear leader in electrical and technology construction across the Pacific Northwest, not just in the major metros, but throughout the region, including Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Oregon. We’ve been intentional about our growth, and I expect that will continue. We’ll expand where it makes sense and where we can deliver with excellence, but we won’t chase growth for its own sake.”
Concluding our conversation, Bill takes a moment to home in on Cochran’s most important asset of all. “I’d just emphasize how proud I am of the team we’ve built. I’ve been at Cochran for over three decades, and the quality and dedication of our people continues to impress me. We recently launched our Brilliance Awards program to recognize employees who exemplify our core values – being transparent, kind, accountable, brilliant, proactive, respectful, and inspired. Celebrating them publicly, in front of their families at our annual holiday party, is a highlight for me,” he emphasizes. “This is a demanding industry and success requires people who show up every day ready to solve problems and deliver for clients. We’re fortunate to have that at Cochran, and it’s what gives me confidence about our future.”
