Our History


1999
The original franchise, Direct Electric, that would ultimately split into 
a major service brand is founded by DeWayne Rice, Rick Rice, and
Ronnie Tinsley.  Starting from humble beginnings and working from 
the garage, the small father and son owned company begins to grow 
and flourish due to DeWayne's unique business philosophy, talent for
finding the best employees, and unmatched levels of production and 
quality. 

2002
Direct Electric upgrades facilities and becomes a well-known 
electrical contracting and service company in and around the Houston 
Metropolitan area. 

2003
Direct Electric expands operations throughout Texas with new 
statewide licensing and a growing East Texas customer base. 

2005
Direct Electric gains Louisiana licensing and again expands
in the southern region.  The company performs new constuction 
and restoration projects in Louisiana and Texas as a result of the 
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.   

2006
Direct Maintenance - Home & Facility Solutions becomes the
second franchise and experiences profitable growth within the Direct 
team. The new Direct Maintenance franchise is formed with other 
industry professionals and specialists.

2007
Direct again adds new services for its customer base by launching
Direct Plumbing - Quality Solutions.  The franchise becomes
part of the growing Direct family and begins providing routine plumbing 
service, construction, and design solutions for customers. 

2008
In order to better serve clientele and complete the "MEP" trio, the
Direct team expands into the mechanical industry by 
launching Direct Air Solutions.  The new division starts serving 
exisiting customers with new expanded services and adds
continued efforts towards nine consecutive years of growth.  

The Direct team provides restoration and catastrophe response to 
clients affected by Hurricane Dolly and Ike.  Production force services
the entire Gulf Coast Region in an effort to restore power and other 
vital utilities to those individuals and establishments damaged by 
the storms.  

2009
Direct celebrates a decade of success with the 10th annivasary of 
The Rice-Tinsley Corporation.