This year, Cannon & Wendt celebrates 80 years of exceptional service, a history deeply tied to the development of Arizona. Since 1945, our mission has been to serve our clients with the highest level of quality and safety while giving back to the communities that have supported us. As we reflect on our journey, we are proud to share the great achievements and challenges that have shaped us into the 100% employee-owned industry leader we are today.
The Formative Years: A Partnership in the Post-War Valley
Our story begins in 1945. As the war ended, the Valley of the Sun was poised for major growth. Seizing the opportunity, Ernie Cannon and Joe Gross formed a partnership called Cannon & Gross. After a brief two-year period, Joe Gross left and Ray Watson joined, creating Cannon & Watson. In these early days, the company was a non-union shop focused on smaller, residential jobs—a stark contrast to the company you see today.
The Al Wendt Era: A Legacy of Leadership and Growth
The future of the company was shaped by one impressive man: Albert “Al” Wendt. A World War II veteran and a 1947 graduate of the University of California, Al was a “sparky” in the war and earned degrees in Naval Science, Psychology, and History. He aimed to return to California but only made it as far as Arizona, where his wife Margaret’s family helped him find a job.
In 1949, Al Wendt was hired as an Apprentice Electrician for the company. As Phoenix took off in the 1950s, so did the business. Al quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a journeyman and then a manager by 1950. In 1957, he became Ernie Cannon’s new partner, and the company changed its name one last time to what it is known as today: Cannon & Wendt.
Al later became the sole owner after Ernie Cannon’s retirement. In 1968, he moved the company to its current location on N. 16th Street, which he largely designed himself. His leadership led to incredible growth, expanding from 40 employees in 1964 to 111 a decade later and increasing annual gross business by 500% since 1966. Al believed every award won was earned by the entire company. His numerous accolades included being named small businessman of the year in 1971 and receiving the electrical industry’s Man of the Year award in 1975. His legacy is so profound that Electri’21 named its premier award after him, The Wendt Award, which is still active today.
Building the Valley: Landmark Projects
As the company shifted away from residential jobs, it played a vital role in many of the Valley’s landmark builds. These iconic projects include:
- Phoenix’s first shopping center, the Uptown Plaza, in 1955
- Sun Devil Stadium
- America West Arena in 1992 (known today as Mortgage Matchup Arena)
- State Farm Stadium in 2004
To handle the growing complexity of low-voltage systems, Cannon & Wendt Technologies was formed in 2001 to manage all fire alarm, security, and voice-data-video work.
A New Chapter: A Legacy of Employee Ownership
As Al Wendt looked toward retirement, he wanted to transition ownership to the people who helped build the company. In 2006, the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) was established. Under the leadership of David Fagan, who became president in 2011, the company completed its transition and officially became 100% employee-owned. Today, we are a collaborative team of owners dedicated to premier craftsmanship, safety, and quality.
Modern Leadership and a Commitment to the 3 Cs
In 2019, Shane Snyder, who started with the company as a wireman in 1994, was promoted to President. Under his leadership, the company has formally established its pillars of focus:
Company, Client, and Community.This commitment to community is seen in our annual “Supporting Our Heroes” event for the 100 Club of Arizona, which supports families of fallen first responders. We also partner with other companies to host pet supply, water, and clothing drives and support events like Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Big Dig for Kids.
A Future Built on a Foundation of Excellence
In recent years, our dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Best Places to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal (2020, 2025).
- RED Award for Healthcare Project of the Year (2022).
- Specialty Contractor of the Year by ENR Southwest.
- A Recognition of Safety award from NECA.
In 2023, the company merged with Gilbert Electric, expanding our service to the entire state of Arizona. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue building a better and brighter Arizona for our clients and our community. From our workshop to the jobsite, our focus remains on quality and service.
