Tolley Electrical has been a steady presence in Central Virginia for nearly half a century, a name known for dependability, integrity, and community commitment. Whether wiring a new facility, tackling a major renovation, or responding to a middle-of-the-night emergency call, the Ashland-based firm has built its reputation by showing up and getting the job done right.
The company traces its roots back to 1978, when Billy Joe Tolley founded the business with a clear mission: to serve clients with honesty and technical excellence. For almost 25 years, Billy Joe guided the company’s growth before retiring in 2002. Today, the leadership baton has passed to the next generation. President Jason Pearce, who began his career in the field, leads alongside business partners, Josh Ostrander and Michael Tolley, Billy Joe’s son. Together they represent the third generation of ownership, maintaining the family spirit while positioning the company for modern demands. “We are on our third generation of owners, all who have come through the field here,” Pearce explains. That continuity, he says, has helped Tolley Electrical thrive for nearly fifty years.
For Pearce, the company’s longevity comes down to its values. “We’ve really just been focused on just our clients and showing integrity and dependability,” he says. “We have honesty, getting the job done on time and just really doing what’s right … just finishing your job and really holding ourselves to integrity, is part of where we thrive.”
Tolley Electrical is a Class A unlimited licensed electrical contractor, capable of handling virtually any challenge. Based in Ashland, just north of Richmond and within a short drive of Washington, D.C., the company offers 24-hour service work for commercial clients alongside design-build and bid services. With certifications as a Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) vendor in Virginia, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approval for safety and hazardous materials programs, Tolley is trusted by clients across sectors. Its projects span commercial, educational, medical, industrial, and government facilities at both federal and local levels. The team also takes on specialized assignments involving refrigeration, boiler systems, and advanced controls.
Behind this capability is a loyal and seasoned workforce. Tolley employs about 55 people today, and many of them have been with the company for more than a decade. Two have logged 35 years, and the office manager has been there since day one. Pearce emphasizes that this depth of experience is central to the company’s strength. “Two people here have been 35 years, actually – and the office manager has been here since Day 1,” he says with pride. With this consistency, Tolley can take on both complex and routine work with the same assurance of quality.
The company’s impact is evident across Central Virginia, from food banks to marine science laboratories. A flagship example is Tolley’s work on the Feed More Food Bank, which has been serving the community for over 50 years. Feed More’s roots go back to the Meals on Wheels program launched in 1967 and the Central Virginia Food Bank established in 1980. In 2005, the two organizations began a community kitchen, and in 2008 they merged to form Feed More. When the nonprofit needed a new home, Tolley Electrical helped construct its Richmond facility: 130,000 square feet of warehouse space and 25,000 square feet of office space.
“We were lucky enough to help construct their new facility here in Richmond,” Pearce says. “That was a really exciting project for us.” The building includes 25 percent more space for food storage, five times more freezer capacity, and a kitchen capable of preparing 15,000 fresh meals every week. Beyond its immediate mission of food security, the facility also includes training and meeting spaces, even rentable venues for corporate events, giving the nonprofit additional revenue streams. Tolley’s role was critical in ensuring that every aspect of the facility could operate safely and efficiently, supporting the delivery of thousands of meals to those in need.
Tolley’s work also extends to science and research. At the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in Gloucester Point—part of one of the nation’s largest marine science centers—the company provided electrical services for a wide range of specialized facilities. VIMS occupies 42 acres at the mouth of the York River, with labs, a fisheries science center, and seawater research buildings that demand consistent and safe power. “It’s a really exciting project and great people to work for,” Pearce recalls. The scope was complex, covering environmental chambers, cold rooms, and other marine research facilities. From gift shops and outreach halls to technical laboratories, Tolley ensured every corner of the campus had reliable systems to support education and research.
“It’s a really exciting project and great people to work for.”
The company’s range is illustrated by other standout projects. At Randolph-Macon College, Tolley provided electrical systems for the RMC Village Housing project, four 5,904-square-foot buildings designed to enhance student living. The firm also powered Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park, the college’s new NCAA-regulation baseball field, complete with grandstand seating, dugouts, bullpens, a batting cage, and a customized scoreboard. In Richmond, Tolley delivered the electrical backbone for Fire Station 21, the city’s principal emergency center. At three stories and nearly 18,000 square feet, the station must function in any condition—a demand that made Tolley’s work mission-critical.
Beyond headline projects, Tolley provides an array of services that enhance the safety and usability of spaces. These include nurse call systems, paging and intercommunication, voice and data cabling, and life safety upgrades. The company also supports facilities with audio-visual features, such as sound and dimming systems that improve comfort and presentations. Each assignment, large or small, reflects the same philosophy: keep the client’s needs at the center, execute with integrity, and deliver dependable results.
Looking to the future, Pearce emphasizes the company’s dedication to progress, summed up in a simple mantra: “keep moving forward.” For Tolley, that means maintaining a focus on client needs, investing in safety, and ensuring workers are supported. Growth is important, but not at the expense of culture. Apprenticeships and outreach are also part of that vision. “We’re really big into the apprenticeships and going to the high schools, speaking to kids about getting into the trades,” Pearce explains. By introducing young people to the opportunities in electrical work, Tolley hopes to secure not only its own future workforce but also to strengthen the skilled trades pipeline for the region.
For nearly five decades, Tolley Electrical has combined technical excellence with a strong sense of responsibility to its clients and community. From food banks that feed thousands, to marine labs unlocking the secrets of Chesapeake Bay, to fire stations that protect Richmond’s neighborhoods, the company’s work is woven into the daily life of Central Virginia. With a seasoned team, a family legacy of leadership, and a clear commitment to client service, Tolley Electrical is poised to continue powering the region for decades to come.
