IN MEMORIAM We regret to inform you of these recent deaths in the S&C community. Our deepest sympathy is with those who have suffered a loss.
2014 Board of Directors Front row from left: Erle Nye, Kyle Seymour, John Estey, Lynn Conrad Armstrong, John Kirkpatrick. Back row from left: Mike Horn, Jane Irwin, Chris Curtis, Stan Slabas, Frank Kelly, Jim Kelly.
John E. Kirkpatrick, Honoring a Legacy of Leadership, Integrity, and Vision S&C Electric Company mourns the passing of John E. Kirkpatrick, a trusted advisor, longtime board member, and instrumental figure in shaping the company’s path to employee ownership. John passed away on September 17, 2025 at the age of 96. John’s relationship with S&C began in the early 1970s when he joined the law firm Kirkland & Ellis and was introduced to John R. Conrad. His sharp legal mind and creative thinking quickly earned him a central role in navigating the complex ownership challenges that faced the company. In 1984, John joined S&C’s board of directors, where he served with distinction for 40 years. His contributions extended far beyond governance. John was a driving force behind many of the company’s most impactful decisions, including the development of incentive
business issues at S&C for almost 50 years. His gift was not only in his deep knowledge of the law and S&C but in his remarkable creativity and tenacity. John never walked away from a problem until a workable— and lasting—solution was in hand. The biggest challenge of all was resolving S&C’s ownership to keep the company privately held in the face of complex issues with John Conrad’s estate and company benefit plans. John worked on that problem for many years and, in the end, was invaluable in administering John Conrad’s estate and helping in the creation of the S&C Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).” As we honor his memory, we are reminded that success is never built in isolation. It is forged through the commitment of both those inside the company and those, like John, who stood alongside it, offering guidance and clarity at pivotal moments. John Kirkpatrick’s legacy is woven into the fabric of S&C’s history, and his example endures as a testament to the power of perseverance, insight, and trusted counsel. n
plans, corporate governance structures, and strategies to preserve S&C’s independence. Among those who worked closely with John during this pivotal time was retired S&C chief financial officer and current board member, Stan Slabas, who also played a key role in the company’s transformation. “Although I studied business law in college, working with John over the years was like taking a graduate course in corporate governance, law, ethics and estate planning,” added Stan. “His expertise proved to be instrumental in the ownership transition to an ESOP. All employee owners—past, present and future—are indebted to John. His foresight, integrity, and unwavering commitment to keeping S&C private will continue to benefit team members for generations to come.” Chairman of the S&C board of directors, John Estey shared, “I had the pleasure of working with John on a wide range of legal and
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Volts & Jolts | Volume 68 | Issue 3
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