Success reached through ambition for owner of Pacific Electric
Company
By Betsy Avelar Staff Writer
Gilroy – When he was 2, Frank Camacho began picking prunes and strawberries in the orchards and fields of San Jose to help his family earn a living. Now, 59 years later, he owns and operates the Pacific Electric Company, and works with three of his four sons.
In grammar school, the electrical contractor knew that one day he would start his own business, but at that time all he could do was pick the red and black fruits of the hot orchards and fields. At 16, he decided that field work was not something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Music sparked an interest, and he joined a band where he played the saxophone and the guitar. He also boxed for fun.
At 21 he married his high school sweetheart Maria Yolanda, and has now been married for 41 years. Together they raised four boys and one girl. Three of his boys, all of them over 35, now help with the business. They have lived in Gilroy for 10 years.
“The boys and I are like brothers, were buddies, we get along well,” said Camacho.
His experience began as a laborer at a chemical plant in San Jose. He eventually moved up in the business and became an electronic technician. This experience and the knowledge he obtained at San Jose City College, helped him obtain a job at NASA, where he worked for three years in a wind tunnel, until he decided to start his own business.
It was a challenge to juggle work, school, and a family. This was an obstacle that he overcame.
“I made time, we bought a boat, we went water skiing. We used to build cars and paint them to keep the boys out of trouble.” Today he admits that he still has difficulty in balancing time for the family, his business, and school as he decided to take online courses to obtain a masters degree. The long time Gilroy resident keeps his main office in San Jose because 90 percent of his business is up north, but he stays involved locally in doing jobs.
