Wells Global LLC, a leader in design/build electrical systems that has operated an Engineering Services Center in Wake Forest’s South Forest Business Park for the past 14 years, is one of the latest Wake Forest employers to launch an apprenticeship program.
“We currently have five electrician apprentices,” says Heather Denny, CEO and Managing Partner at Wells Global LLC, which launched the program earlier this year. The company’s program is registered and approved by Apprenticeship NC, part of the North Carolina Community College System. “Apprenticeship NC has been very helpful as we developed and implemented the program,” she adds.
For many industrial firms, apprenticeships have become a key solution to improve employee skills and boost retention. A few steps away from Wells Global’s 15,540-square-foot building at South Forest Business Park, Superior Tooling is utilizing apprentices in partnership with the NC Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NC TAP). While some programs work with high school students, applicants interested in the Wells Global program must hold either a high school diploma or GED.
Wells Global was founded in 1999 by Mark Carter. The company specializes in emergency standby power systems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment, lightning protection, and grounding systems. Its clients include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where Wells Global provides services nationwide at traffic control towers, radar facilities, and airports. The company also works within the U.S. Department of Defense, with many of those projects involving moving equipment and materials to remote locations like the Aleutian chain. By collaborating with a network of partners, Wells Global consistently delivers comprehensive solutions safely, reliably, and efficiently.
Wells Global established its presence in Wake Forest in 2011. “One of our clients contracted us to build a training facility,” Denny recalls. “That is when we found the Unicon Drive facility. It is a replica of the critical and essential power systems for our client,” she says. The facility, which employs a seven-person workforce, hosts training on how the company’s power systems work. “We have two physical offices: The Wake Forest office and an office just four miles down the road that houses our administrative, safety, and project management personnel,” Denny continues. “We also have project sites throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories.”
Heather Denny, a 1996 graduate of N.C. State University’s College of Engineering, has built an impressive career. She began as an Estimator with Raleigh-based general contractor McDonald York Building Co. She was named that company’s COO in 2004, President in 2010, and CEO three years after that. Denny joined Wells Global in 2018 and became Partner the following year. Her achievements have earned recognition on several prestigious lists, including the Triangle Business Journals' “Top 50 Business Leaders to Watch,” “40 Under 40,” CREW Network’s “20 Under 40,” and Business Leader Magazine's list of “Women Extraordinaire.”
Wells Global continues to attract candidates through platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn. “A lot of our recruitment is word of mouth through our employees,” Denny says. “We’re always looking for good people to join our team.”
The company expresses satisfaction with its Wake Forest location. Denny credits the Town’s Fire Department for making regular visits to Wells Global’s site for awareness of the facility in case of an emergency. The Town’s Police Department is similarly proactive. “They do regular drive-throughs of the industrial park and have a very noticeable presence,” she says.Wake Forest Power has also supported the company’s operations with reliable power and rapid response on occasions when issues or outages arise, Denny says.
We’re thrilled to have Wells Global as part of the Wake Forest business community and excited to see the workforce opportunities that will grow from their apprenticeship program,” said Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership. “We look forward to collaborating with Wells Global and having their expertise at the table as we continue strengthening relationships within the business community and building a strong, innovative economy here in Wake Forest.
