RECOVERY. RESILIENCY. RESTORATION.
MEET THE TEAM
Scott Whitsell
President
Scott Whitsell, President
Scott Whitsell has an extensive history in the utility/infrastructure industry and was a founding member of 5 Star Electric in 2015. For more than 20 years, Scott has been working in the electrical field and has worked his way from an Electrical Apprentice to the current President of 5 Star Electric.
Scott has shown outstanding leadership skills and an innate ability to inspire others throughout his career. For nearly 10 years, Scott was Safety Director for Hendrix Electric before being promoted to VP of Safety and HR. When Hendrix Electric joined with T&D Solutions in 2013, Scott was again promoted to President of Safety for the company. Throughout his career, Scott has demonstrated outstanding leadership which led him to co-found 5 Star Electric in 2015. His exemplary management skills and leadership capabilities have enabled 5 Star Electric to achieve great success in the years since it was founded.
Scott has held pivotal roles with the company, including VP of Safety and Training, as well as President of 5 Star Electric, LLC. Scott possesses a Bachelor of Science from Murray State University.
Scott Shoulders
Vice President of East Operations
Scott Shoulders, Vice President of East Operations
Since joining 5 Star Electric in 2017, Scott has brought a wealth of experience and leadership to his role as Vice President. His ability to build strong relationships with customers and business partners has given the company a strategic edge in a competitive industry. Scott is known for his excellence in contract management, organizational efficiency, and his unwavering commitment to safety and continuous performance improvement.
Before joining 5 Star Electric, Scott served as Vice President at T&D Solutions LLC and as VP of Commercial Operations at Hendrix Electric Inc. He studied Organizational Leadership at Mid-Continent University and holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Tool Engineering Technology.
Clifford Knight
Vice President of West Operations
Clifford Knight, Vice President of West Operations
Cliff Knight has been in the industry for 32 years. He got his start at Oncor in Texas and was most recently the operations manager for Power Standard, LLC. Knight holds numerous certifications and brings a wealth of experience into his role with 5 Star.
Knight has a strong desire to grow the distribution side of the company and actively contribute to the company culture that holds safety as a value. He knows the importance of good relationships with crews as well as the customer. For Knight, productivity doesn’t come at the expense of safety.
He’s most proud of his work with various reconductor and maintenance projects with Oncor, Garland Power & Light, and the City of Denton, Texas.
Chris Adcock
Director of C&I
Operations
Chris Adcock, Director of C&I Operations
5 Star Electric’s Commercial and Industrial division contributes to 5 Star’s ability to offer a full range of electrical services. Chris Adcock is Director of C&I Division and has more than 25 years of experience in the electrical field. Chris has been a certified Master Electrician for more than 20 years and has nearly a decade of project management experience in the electrical field. Chris holds a Contractor’s License (CE) for the states of both Kentucky and Tennessee. Chris’s leadership skills and experience have been crucial to the successful development of the C&I Division for 5 Star Electric. Chris understands the importance of developing positive relationships with not only our customers, but also with our vendors. Chris joined the 5 Star Team in 2016 and has been instrumental in the success of this division.
Jason Coffey
Project Manager | Business Development – Transmission
Jason Coffey
Project Manager | Business Development – Transmission
Jason Coffey joined 5 Star Electric, LLC in July of 2024 to serve the roles of Project Manager for the Transmission and Substation West Division and to lead the overall Business Development initiatives for 5 Star Electric. Jason brings a distinguished career focused directly within the areas of electrical construction from maritime (propulsion), instrumentation and controls, power and utility generation contractor technical services, high voltage transmission and distribution, and substation electrical construction. He has previously served roles in the areas of business development, corporate communications, estimating, leadership, marketing, operations, project management, and sales within those highly technical industries spanning 24 years. Jason has extensive training and certificates within the T&D industry. His training ranging from OSHA ET&D electrical construction safety certifications to SEC publicly traded company compliance and executive leadership training. Jason brings a prior history of successful growth within the T&D electrical construction industry, ranging from establishing new investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, and municipalities clients to general contractors, engineering and construction firms seeking partnerships for large scale electrical construction capital projects, master service agreements, and emergency storm recovery and response.
Brian Grant
Director of Project Management/ Estimating
Brian Grant, Director of Project Management/Estimating
Brian Grant is a utility industry veteran with more than a decade of experience. But before that, he was a high school math teacher for five years. Brian is proud of his two degrees in math and education, but when the powerlines started calling, he changed careers and signed on as an apprentice and quickly worked his way into a bucket. Brian’s education and resourcefulness are what make him great in project management. He knows a thing or two about working smarter not harder. His mantra in life is reflected in his current role as he’s on a mission to streamline processes and spur growth at 5 Star.
Gabe Kessinger
Director of Transmission and Distribution
Gabe Kessinger, Director of Transmission and Distribution
Jai Utley
Director of Substation Operations
Jai Utley
Director of Substation Operations
As Director of Substation, Jai oversees the bidding, planning, design, and maintenance of all substation projects to ensure reliable and efficient power delivery. With over 20 years of experience in electrical Substation construction, Jai brings deep technical expertise and strategic leadership to the role. Prior to joining 5 Star Electric, he held senior roles in T&D Solutions and Hendrix Electric. He also served in the US Navy for 8 years as an aviation structural mechanic. Jai is committed to fostering a culture of construction excellence with a focus on safety.
Clint Cantrell
Director of West Distribution
Clint Cantrell, Director of West Distribution
With over 20 years of industry experience, Clint Cantrell is a respected leader known for his commitment to cultivating a safe and productive work environment. As Director of West Distribution, Clint oversees operations across the Western region, ensuring efficiency, safety, and team development. His strong work ethic and deep industry knowledge empower his team to succeed—benefiting both their professional growth and the company’s long-term success. Clint remains focused on building a workplace culture that attracts top talent and fosters strong partnerships for the future.
Brandon Bowlin
Vice President of Telecommunications
Brandon Bowlin – Vice President of Telecom
Brandon Bowlin serves as the Vice President of Telecom, where he oversees the day-to-day operations and financial performance of the Telecommunications division. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in the telecom industry, Brandon brings a deep understanding of the field, including turnkey tower construction, small cell deployment, underground and aerial fiber installation, and full network integrations for major service providers.
Throughout his career, Brandon has held key leadership roles including Estimator & Construction Management, Project Manager, Director of Business Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. Each role has contributed to his comprehensive expertise in both operational execution and strategic planning.
A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Brandon combines strong business acumen with technical industry knowledge. His leadership is instrumental in driving both strategic and organic growth across the organization, leveraging strong customer relationships and a commitment to empowering employees.
Jon Keith
Vice President of Distribution
Jack Givens
Vice President of Business Development
Jack “Goose” Givens – VP of Business Development
Jack joins 5 Star Energy after serving over 14 years as Vice President of Business Development with the Bowlin Group, LLC. Jack will serve in the same capacity with 5 Star where he will develop working relationships with both current and new customers in the electric T&D industry as well as the telecommunications industry.
Jack graduated from the University of KY in 1978 where he was a member of the ’78 KY Wildcats NCAA Championship team! After playing in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks Jack also played professionally in Belgium, Italy and Japan.
Jack’s public relations experience spans over 30 years, wherein he served as a basketball color analyst for the University of KY basketball network, ESPN, Turner Sports, The Sunshine Network when he was the voice of the Orlando Magic of the NBA for over 15 seasons.
Jack and his wife Linda live in Georgetown, KY and will celebrate 40 years of marriage on October 5th, 2025.
Eddie Manning
Director of Business Operations
Eddie Manning – Director of Business Operations
With over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Eddie Manning brings deep operational expertise and a strong leadership track record to his role as Director of Business Operations. Eddie currently oversees the day-to-day operations of the telecom division, managing both employee and customer growth while ensuring the financial integrity and performance of all projects.
Eddie’s career includes more than two decades as a successful business owner, specializing in aerial and underground fiber construction. His background also spans turnkey tower and fiber projects, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of both field operations and strategic management.
Prior to his current role, Eddie held key leadership positions including Project Manager and Vice President of Operations, where he was instrumental in driving organizational growth and operational efficiency.
Eddie is known for his hands-on leadership style, operational insight, and commitment to delivering results in complex and fast-paced environments
Terri Scott
Director of Human Resources
Terri Scott, Human Resources Manager
Terri joined the 5-Star Electric team in February 2023. Terri brings over 20 years of experience in administrative, human resources and asset management, as well as expertise in strategic planning and oversight of all human resource functions including HR infrastructure development, organizational development, recruiting, on-boarding, employee relations / personnel management, compensation / benefits programs, retention strategies, policy and procedure development and implementation, and HRIS implementation. She also has extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance including Human Resources Personnel management practices, laws, government regulations, policies, and DOT/FMCSA compliance. She prides herself on her excellent communication and project management skills and is adept in building relationships and teams to advance organizational goals and initiatives.
Terri earned her bachelor’s degree at Jacksonville University and holds both the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute and the Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-CP) from the Society of Human Resource Management.
Blake Lanham
Mechanic/
Fleet Manager
Blake Lanham, Mechanic/Fleet Manager
Blake brings over a decade of mechanical experience to 5 Star Electric as first a Head Mechanic, and then as Fleet Manager. Ask him and he will tell you that he keeps the trucks running, so crews can keep the lights on. Blake’s attention to detail and mechanical aptitude have served him well since he began his career in auto mechanics. Prior to joining 5 Star, Blake was a mechanic for Hendrix Electric and also T&D Solutions. Blake’s hard work and dedication to his craft and to 5 Star Electric, is crucial in the company’s ability to “keep the lights on!”
Samantha Nall
Assistant Controller
Samantha Nall, Assistant Controller
Samantha joined 5 Star Electric from its inception in 2015. Given her 14 years of experience in the industry, Samantha acted as CFO for 5 Star Electric until 2017 when 5 Star joined with Mammoth Energy. Samantha has since held the position of Controller and also Office Manager. Her extensive background in the utility industry began at a very early age, as she is the third generation of her family to work in the electrical/utility industry. Samantha’s unwavering dedication and commitment to 5 Star Electric has been instrumental in the success of the company since it began in 2015.
Samantha graduated from Murray State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Business – Accounting Option.
Jason Watson
IT Manager
Jason Watson, IT Manager
With over 15 years of experience in the IT field, Jason Watson has deep expertise in information security, systems integration, IT project management, system administration, and IT service management. Since 2009, he has worked across the electrical construction and healthcare industries, been instrumental in bringing businesses into the Microsoft 365 cloud and has developed a strong foundation in both technical operations and user-focused service delivery.
Mr. Watson holds a Master of Business Administrator and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems Security, combining technical proficiency with strategic business insight. At 5 Star Electric, he ensures the integrity and efficiency of IT systems while maintaining the highest standards of support for all employees.