BEAMAN'S INC.
A Legacy of Four Generations
1909
Piedmont Electric Company
At the beginning of the 20th century, electricity was just beginning to transform homes and businesses. In 1909, Lee Gilpin established Piedmont Electric and Hardware Co. at 3978 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California.
As Piedmont grew, so did the company. Between 1910 and 1930, the city’s population quadrupled, increasing demand for residential and commercial construction. Piedmont Electric became known throughout the East Bay for its electrical work, including the wiring and lighting systems for the historic Piedmont Theater’s grand opening in September 1917.
When California established the Contractors State License Board in 1929, Piedmont Electric was among the early contractors to become licensed. In 1930, the company received its original Contractor's License No. 762.
Piedmont Electric continued serving the electrical needs of the Piedmont and Oakland communities under Lee Gilpin's ownership until 1946.
1931
A New Generation Arrives
In 1931, A.E. (Arch) Beaman moved from Iowa to California with his wife, Florence, and their three sons. Like many families during the Depression, the Beaman’s came to California in search of a better future.
Arch worked as a painter and became involved with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). His experience in construction and painting introduced him to the trades and eventually led to a business relationship with Lee Gilpin.
That relationship would become the foundation for the next chapter of the company.
1940
Roger Beaman
Around 1940, Roger Beaman began his career as a painter's apprentice. His working life was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the military.
Roger was captured and spent approximately a year as a prisoner of war in Germany before the war ended. He returned home with an extraordinary life experience and a determination to continue building the family business.
1946
Beaman's Paint and Decorating
Following the war, Roger Beaman and his father, Arch Beaman, established Beaman's Paint and Decorating.
The Beaman’s operated from the same location as Piedmont Electric Co. and, in 1946, acquired the original Piedmont Electric Company from Lee Gilpin when he retired.
For the next three decades, the family operated the business as Beaman's Piedmont Electric and Paint, serving the Piedmont and Oakland communities.
During this period, the company expanded its services to include general building remodels, electrical contracting, painting and decorating, and related construction services. Florence Beaman, Roger's mother, worked in the shop on Piedmont Avenue, while Arch continued selling paint and electrical supplies as well as lamps and small appliance repair.
The company became known for dependable workmanship, practical expertise, and its commitment to the local community.
1976
Beaman's Inc.
In 1976, the business formally incorporated in the State of California as Beaman's Inc.
Roger Beaman and his wife, Mildred, were joined by their two sons, Rodney and Denis Beaman, who became the next generation of the family business.
Rodney and Denis completed their apprenticeships in the electrical industry and continued developing the company's capabilities.
Over the following two decades, Rodney Beaman focused primarily on commercial construction as a General Contractor and Electrical Contractor, while Denis Beaman concentrated on high-end residential design and construction throughout the Bay Area and the Piedmont community.
The company continued to grow while maintaining its identity as a family-owned and operated business.
1996
A Transformation
In 1996, the company entered a new phase.
Denis Beaman pursued broader opportunities within the construction industry, gaining valuable experience while working in a variety of capacities with larger contractors on major projects throughout the Bay Area.
Those experiences expanded the company's knowledge and capabilities and helped shape the transformation of Beaman's Inc. into a broader Construction Services Company.
2006
Denis H. Beaman
Having grown up in the family business working alongside Arch and Roger Beaman from an early age, Denis H. Beaman assumed full ownership of Beaman's Inc. in 2006.
He assembled a team of experienced professionals to strengthen field operations and brought his sister-in-law, Arlene Beaman, into the business as office manager.
During the company's first several years under Denis's leadership, Beaman's completed a diverse range of projects, including:
- Commercial Office Buildings
- Commercial Tenant Improvements
- Community Housing Remodels
- Laboratory Projects at the Berkeley Lawrence Laboratory
- Underground Utility Work
- Site Lighting for the New Kaiser Medical Center in Oakland
The company continued expanding its capabilities while preserving the personal service and craftsmanship that had defined the Beaman family business for generations.
2008
The Great Recession
In 2008, Denis Beaman faced a challenge that echoed the difficult economic conditions experienced by earlier generations of the family.
The Great Recession brought rising financial pressures, a shrinking workforce, limited project opportunities, and intense competition throughout the construction industry.
Rather than retreat, Denis focused on adapting the company to the changing market. Beaman's survived the downturn through determination, careful management, and a commitment to providing personal attention to every opportunity.
The experience reinforced a principle that had guided the company for generations: stay adaptable, work hard, and never lose sight of the customer.
2012
Construction Management Services
As the economy recovered, Beaman's Inc. expanded its services beyond traditional contracting.
In 2012, Denis directed the company toward Project Management Services, while Michael Beaman joined the company to oversee Electrical Construction.
Together, they completed a variety of complex projects, including the rehabilitation of a historic law office in Oakland and a major rehabilitation of a seven-building housing complex.
The company's expanding capabilities allowed Beaman's to serve clients in new ways while maintaining the hands-on and personal approach that had always distinguished the business.
2016
The Fourth Generation Evolves
After more than 20 years working in the family business as well as other contractors, Michael D. Beaman became Vice President of Operations in 2016.
Under Michaels leadership, Beaman's Inc. continued expanding its relationships with larger electrical and general contractors while creating opportunities to participate as a local business partner into the fourth generation.
Notable projects during this period:
- 1000 Sutter Street San Francisco, 232-unit 10 story Granada Hotel renovation,
- Friendship Senior Housing a 50-unit ground up new construction project in Oakland
- The Phoenix, a 100-unit modular affordable housing project in Oakland.
2026
80 Years of Beaman's
In 2026, Beaman's Inc. celebrates 80 years since the Beaman family acquired Piedmont Electric Company in 1946.
Today, Beaman's Inc. remains a boutique contractor by design. The company seeks unique opportunities and challenging projects where its professional experience, flexibility, and personal hands-on approach can make a meaningful difference.
Beaman's works alongside Building Owners, General Contractors, Developers, Architects, and Engineers to deliver thoughtful solutions and quality construction.
From a small electrical and paint business on Piedmont Avenue to a fourth-generation construction services company, the Beaman story is ultimately a story about family, craftsmanship, perseverance, and the enduring value of doing good work for the people and communities they serve.