Tricenergy
Utilities. Renewables. Infrastructure.
Tricenergy, LLC is a premier utility infrastructure company dedicated to delivering energy infrastructure solutions across the region. Led by CEO Stephanie Hickman, the certified MBE company specializes in civil construction for underground distribution, substations, and energy restoration services, positioning itself as a critical partner in the country’s energy transition. Tricenergy leverages decades of experience in construction and energy services to deliver infrastructure projects that meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
With a seasoned leadership team and a proven track record of success, Tricenergy stands at the forefront of utility infrastructure development. Our team has extensive experience in managing complex, large-scale projects, providing exceptional results for major utilities and contractors. Tricenergy’s approach is driven by a commitment to operational excellence, talent development, and long-standing partnerships with leading energy companies. Our diverse portfolio spans civil construction, energy systems, and advanced infrastructure projects that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
At the core of Tricenergy’s mission is an unwavering commitment to safety, guiding every aspect of our work. We are dedicated to creating growth and opportunity within the communities we serve while ensuring that all projects meet the highest safety standards. Our focus on talent development ensures we foster a culture where safety, innovation, and leadership thrive at every level. By making safety a priority, we protect our people and communities, while driving reliable, sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Tricenergy is poised to be a leader in shaping the future of utility infrastructure. As we continue to support America’s clean energy initiatives and modernize the nation’s power grids, Tricenergy remains committed to delivering energy infrastructure at scale—providing safe, reliable, and efficient solutions that power communities.
Our Legacy
A Foundation of Excellence
Tricenergy’s legacy is rooted in over half a century of dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence in the construction industry. The company’s foundation traces back to the vision of the Trice family, who, in 1967, began their journey in Chicago’s construction sector. What started as a small, family-owned operation specializing in residential concrete work has since evolved into a premier provider of utility infrastructure services. Today, under the leadership of Stephanie Hickman, Tricenergy carries forward the same values of integrity, reliability, and craftsmanship that were instilled by its founders.
Stephanie Hickman, CEO of Tricenergy, is a fourth-generation leader in the construction industry. With a passion for utility infrastructure and a deep commitment to her family’s legacy, she has redefined and expanded the company’s scope. After acquiring the family business in 2007, she transformed it from a residential contractor into a key player in the utility space, securing prime contracts with some of the nation’s largest corporations. In 2023, Tricenergy was established as a new entity to focus exclusively on utility infrastructure, ensuring continued growth in this critical sector while building on the foundation laid by the Trice family.
The company’s legacy is not only one of business growth but also of community impact. From its earliest days, the Trice family’s work ethic and commitment to delivering beyond expectations earned them trust and respect throughout Chicago. That same dedication continues to drive Tricenergy’s mission to create pathways to opportunity—both through the jobs it generates and the infrastructure it helps build. Today, Tricenergy is proud to be a leader in supporting America’s energy transition, contributing to projects that advance clean energy solutions and strengthen the nation’s utility networks.
As Tricenergy looks to the future, it remains firmly anchored in the values that shaped its past. The company continues to deliver high-quality utility infrastructure projects while investing in the next generation of talent and innovation. By combining decades of experience with a forward-looking vision, Tricenergy is poised to lead the way in the utility construction industry for many years to come.
At Tricenergy Safety is our #1 Priority
Health & Safety
Commitment to Safety
At Tricenergy, safety is not just a priority—it is a fundamental cornerstone of our operations. We are fully dedicated to fostering the safest possible work environment for our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. Our comprehensive safety program is built on a foundation of continuous education, proactive engagement, and unwavering adherence to both regulatory and industry standards. We recognize that the complex nature of utility infrastructure projects demands a heightened focus on safety, which is why our safety protocols are integrated into every phase of project planning and execution.
Our safety program includes rigorous and regular training sessions for all employees, ensuring that everyone on-site is equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate potential hazards. We also maintain a robust system of safety protocols, regular safety audits, and on-site evaluations to actively address and prevent risks before they become incidents. At Tricenergy, we believe that safety is a shared responsibility, and we empower every member of our workforce to take ownership of safety initiatives, creating a culture where safety is ingrained in all that we do.
In addition, our dedicated safety team continuously monitors all projects, ensuring full compliance with OSHA standards, industry best practices, and specific project requirements. This hands-on approach not only helps us meet regulatory obligations but also enables us to exceed safety expectations. We are proud of our excellent safety record and firmly believe that zero incidents are achievable through diligent planning, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. At Tricenergy, safety is not just a goal—it is a core value that drives our commitment to quality, efficiency, and the well-being of all stakeholders involved in our projects.
Proactive safety Initiatives
We implement a range of proactive safety initiatives designed to prevent incidents before they occur. These include daily pre-task safety meetings, hazard assessments, and comprehensive emergency response planning. Our teams are trained to anticipate potential hazards, from confined spaces to underground utilities, and are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to address safety challenges head-on.
Infratructure and General Contractors
Business Overview
Organizational Model
• Manhole maintenance
• Roof replacements
• Frame and Cover adjustments
• Conduit package installation
• Cross-bore inspections
• Steam tunnels
• Excavation
• Footings & foundations
• Structural slabs & walls
• Slabs on grade
• Conduit & grounding grid installation
• Vegetation Management
• Concrete & Asphalt pavement restoration
• Soft restoration
Facilities
• Excavation
• Footings and foundations
• Structural slabs and walls
• Slabs on grade
• Site concrete
Strengths and Expertise
Competencies:
Concrete
Quality Management
Communication
We implement a Project Specific Communication Plan with the objectives of ensuring timely and appropriate notifications and reporting. This plan will include the frequency of routine communications, such as progress updates and regular meetings, as well as the protocols for non-routine notifications to address any unexpected developments. Our goal is to maintain clear and open communication with all stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is informed and aligned throughout the project life cycle. We are committed to the mantra of “No Surprises,” which means we proactively share information to prevent any lastminute issues that could impact project outcomes. By fostering transparency and collaboration, we create an environment where all team members and partners can work together seamlessly. Ultimately, Project Success will be defined by our objective to act as “One Team,” where everyone is unified in their efforts to deliver exceptional results.
Quality at Tricenergy
At Tricenergy quality is the foundation of everything we do. Our efforts are aimed at “doing it right the first time”. Our commitment to excellence drives us to meet client expectations through meticulous planning, execution, and quality management.
For all projects, we implement a Project Specific Quality Plan that will define activities, testing, and audits to assure that the results of the work performed meet the requirements, specifications, and standards of the job.
The Tricenergy Quality Management System (QMS) is Risk Based and includes appropriate documentation and controls to ensure compliance. In addition, our QMS is focused on Continuous Improvement and is based on implementing Best Practices.
Culture of Accountability.
“At the core of our quality program is a culture of accountability. Every team member at Tricenergy from management to field crews to subcontractors is empowered and encouraged to take ownership of the quality of their work. We maintain an open line of communication with our clients, fostering a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing any concerns promptly.”
- Stephanie Hickman, President & CEO Tricenergy
Our PROJECTS
Representative Projects & Programs
Bronzeville Community Microgrid Chicago, IL
The first large-scale and utility-owned microgrid cluster in the country, this innovative project provides resilient and reliable power to over 1,000 residences and critical services in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville community. By integrating solar panels, batteries, and natural gas generators, the microgrid not only enhances energy resilience but also contributes significantly to sustainable growth, ensuring continuous power during outages and optimizing energy use for the community, all while reducing our carbon footprint.
Project Scope
The civil scope included all site prep, such as scraping, leveling, fill dirt, lime, drainage cuts per the civil drawings, and temporary fencing to secure the site while maintaining the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements throughout the project. Civil work also included the installation of drilled Piers for precast panels for a security wall, trenching and backfill for gas and electrical systems, installation of an 8-duct 5’’ conduit package, multiple foundations; generator and equipment pads for a C&C cabinet and AC Cabinet; re-grading main entrance with new compacted stone, and grading the entire yard; installation of 26 bollards and hard and soft restoration. Meticulous coordination with electrical contractors ensured seamless integration of generators, transformers, switchgear, and other essential components.
Substation Projects
Substation 1
Chicago, IL
Installed concrete structures for additions to live 345kV switchyards including foundations for seventy-six 138kV capacitor banks, transmission line potheads, lightning arrestors, sectionalizer, aux power transformer, CO2 tank pad, and gas insulated bus. Placed 1,115 CY of concrete for new transformer oil containment pit, including 30’ high fire walls and a 200 CY mat foundation for storm water detention system.
Substation 2
South Suburban Chicago, Illinois
Installed four hundred feet of precast concrete trough, duct package, formed and placed concrete for six (6) foundations expanding the 12kV yard, constructed two (2) new transformer pads with containment pits and drainage systems, installed a new storm sewer system collecting drainage from those containment pits, set and installed three (3) manholes, two (2) oil waters separators and two (2) lift stations and bollards protecting those structures. Trice also formed and placed concrete for two (2) circuit breaker foundations, removed seven (7) foundations, repaired sanitary sewer pipe servicing the Control House building, rebuilt and regraded the main entrance with new compacted stone and graded entire yard
Substation 3
Chicago, IL
We completed construction of a new three bay transformer oil containment structure consisting of a 1400 cubic yard 2.5-foot-thick mat slab and 30-foothigh fire walls at the site of a new construction 345kv substation.
Underground Projects
34-12kV Substation
St. Louis, MO
Construction of the underground portion of 12.5kV and 34.5kV power distribution duct banks from existing substation to a newly expanded substation. The scope included approximately 6,200 LF of multiple conduit distribution duct banks and approximately 2,200 LF of multiple conduit directional bores crossing under a major expressway and multiple roadways. The scope also included the installation of 15 precast manholes and 2.000 LF of microfiber duct, along with restoration of disturbed roadways and landscaping. The SOW also included new conduit inside the substation to connect the system and all hard and soft restoration.
Feeder Exit
St. Louis, MO
Over 3900 LF of concrete-encased conduit duct bank was constructed, and a significant portion of the duct bank was completed directly adjacent to Busch Stadium. Scope included the installation of seven pre-cast manholes, and new conduit runs inside the substation to connect the system and restoration to excavated streets and the Stadium parking lot.
Representative Programs
Underground Utility Manhole Program
St. Louis,, MO
The multi-year project consisted of the removal and complete rebuild of manholes and the replacement of manhole roofs, frames, and/or covers throughout the St. Louis metro area. This work was part of an underground utility infrastructure modernization initiative.
ComEd, AT&T, Chicago Department of Transportation - Utility Structure Adjustment Programs
St. Louis,, MO
We are responsible for resetting or replacing manhole frames and covers per CDOT specifications. The frame will be set to line and grade, the frame and cover removed, the masonry on the top of the manhole structure raised or lowered, and the frame reset on the mortar bed or precast collar ring. The entire manhole, frame, and cover are set to grade with a new surface according to CDOT plans for restoration.
ComEd/Exelon
Pavement
Restoration
Services
/ Nicor Gas / Peoples Gas / NIPSCO /City of Chicago / Missouri American Water
Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and St. Louis, MO
Rapid response pavement restoration services. Repair and replace streets, alleys, aprons, driveways, sidewalks, ADA ramps, curbs, and gutter
Our Community Commitment
Social Responsibility
Community Engagement
Our commitment to community engagement is a core aspect of our mission and values. Our teams are actively involved in various nonprofit initiatives and community efforts in the regions where we live and work. The company supports numerous community organizations, and our leadership encourages staff members to volunteer with community-based groups, reinforcing our dedication to giving back. This focus on community involvement extends across our operations, ensuring that we not only build physical infrastructure but also support the social and economic well-being of the communities we serve.
At Tricenergy, social responsibility is at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work, not only through the quality infrastructure we build but also by creating opportunities for local businesses and individuals. Our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion extends beyond our workforce, as we actively seek to engage minorityowned subcontractors and suppliers, contributing to the growth of underrepresented communities. Additionally, we are passionate about environmental stewardship, incorporating sustainable practices into our projects to minimize our impact on the environment. By prioritizing safety, integrity, and community investment, Tricenergy strives to be a responsible corporate citizen, making a lasting positive impact both in our industry and in the communities we serve.
