75-year-old New Orleans technology firm transitions to third-generation owner | New Orleans CityBusiness

Listen to this article

A New Orleans technology firm has debunked the myth that family businesses don’t typically last past the third generation.

Brandon Bissinger, grandson of founder Roger Bissinger, has assumed full ownership of Electrical Sales Corporation (ESC), a 75-year-old New Orleans-based technology solutions company founded in 1949. Bissinger took over the day-to-day operations in 2019 after his father Allan Bissinger passed away, and since, he has continued the company’s growth, including transitioning the legacy telecom business into a comprehensive managed IT services provider.

“Taking ownership of ESC is more than continuing a family tradition for me. After my father passed away, we had the option to sell the business. Instead, I made a deliberate choice to invest in New Orleans, our employees, and the businesses that make our community strong,” said Bissinger. “After 75 years, we’ve learned that the best technology solutions come from understanding our clients’ businesses as well as they do. You can only achieve that through long-term local partnerships, and it” a responsibility I’m proud to carry forward.”

The transition places ESC among an exclusive group of U.S. businesses as over 90% of companies in the U.S. are family-owned, but only less than 20% survive past 60 years and reach the third generation, according to Entrepreneur Magazine.

What began as a company selling and servicing electrical parts in Roger Bissinger’s mother-in-law’s basement has evolved into a comprehensive technology solutions provider offering managed IT services, cybersecurity, structured cabling, and cloud-based communications solutions. ESC’s core philosophy, established by founder Roger Bissinger, is “Install the best equipment at the right price, ensure excellent installation, and provide 24/7 service.”

“When my grandfather started ESC, businesses needed reliable communication. Today, communication and IT are inseparable – your phone system, your data security, and your network infrastructure all have to work together seamlessly,” said Bissinger, who holds an undergraduate degree from Auburn University and an MBA from Tulane University.

Bissinger added: “What hasn’t changed is our commitment to being the technology partner that local businesses can count on. We’re not just keeping pace with how technology evolves; we’re helping our clients use it to grow their businesses and serve their customers better.”

Bissinger said ESC has recently achieved new key technology certifications and is building its managed services practice to serve the growing number of businesses that require comprehensive IT support without the cost of full-time internal teams. ESC has had clients span multiple decades and employees average more than 15 years of tenure.

“The trend toward consolidation in our industry makes what we’re doing even more valuable to our clients,” said Bissinger. “Businesses want to work with partners who understand their community, share their values, and will be here for the long term.”