Roger T. Fritz — Managing Seven Decades of Power‑Engineering Solutions

Roger T. Fritz is a second‑generation power‑systems specialist whose career spans global industrial projects, advanced motor‑control engineering, and the development of high‑efficiency electrical solutions. Born in O’Neill, Nebraska, Roger grew up in a family where motors, controls, and manufacturing were a way of life — an early foundation that shaped his lifelong commitment to engineering innovation.

Roger’s technical roots were strengthened through extensive studies with Curtis Read, the renowned RCA engineer, and through advanced work with IEEE and power‑plant switching expert Redal Curtis. These formative experiences built the framework for Roger’s deep expertise in electrical power quality, VFD technology, and industrial energy conservation.

Throughout his career, Roger has contributed to major engineering initiatives across the United States and internationally. His work includes participation in the 1995 EPRI Electrical Power Research Project, delivering energy‑conservation insights for injection‑molding operations, and leading VFD installations at the Ford Aerostar Plant in Virginia, where he engineered multi‑motor hydraulic press systems ranging from 200 to 1500 tons.

Roger’s portfolio includes thousands of VFD design studies, pilot programs, and application developments that have shaped modern standards for motor‑system efficiency and reliability. His nearly two decades of contract service with National Grid (2001–2020) further solidified his role as a trusted expert in industrial energy optimization across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.

As a Speaker for the Association of Energy Engineers, Roger has educated industry professionals on motor‑system design, clean power, and advanced drive technologies.

Today, Roger leads a global supply network supporting industrial customers with motors, VFDs, soft starters, and engineered control solutions. His international reach includes seven motor manufacturing facilities and four panel‑building operations across Europe and the United States. Through AC‑DC Hotline and partner brands, Roger delivers rapid, reliable, and technically grounded solutions for customers worldwide.

For Roger, engineering is more than a profession — it’s a legacy. Soft starters, VFDs, and motors are in his blood.

To be inserted into the main article as the Legacy Chapter

The story of AC‑DC Hotline and the Nikola Tesla Group cannot be told without the Fritz family — the men who built the backbone of the American electrical repair industry long before consolidation, IPOs, and global roll‑ups reshaped the landscape.

In 1953, three brothers — George A. Fritz, Joseph Fritz, and William J. Fritz — all military‑trained electricians, returned from service and founded Northwest Electric Motor Service in O’Neill, Nebraska. Fresh from the U.S. Army, trained under real‑world battlefield conditions, they understood electrical systems the way Tesla intended: from the inside out, under pressure, with precision.

They didn’t just repair equipment. They solved problems no one else could.

What began as a single repair shop grew into a multi‑company organization, a network of:

• Electric motor repair facilities
• UL 508A industrial control panel shops
• Manufacturing operations
• Engineering and diagnostic teams
• A worldwide network of true old‑guard preservers

This was the birth of the American repair culture — the culture the Fritz family helped define.

William J. Fritz was more than a technician. He was an engineer, an inventor, and a visionary whose work placed him decades ahead of his time.

After serving in the U.S. military during the rebuilding of Germany following World War II, William developed mastery over electrical systems under extreme, real‑world conditions. His skill and leadership drew national attention, leading to a historic commission from MIT to lead one of the most ambitious electrical research projects of its era.

At the center of this project stood:

• A 300‑foot experimental tower
• A 36‑mile semi‑circle of electrical conductor, delivered by train
• A full semi‑trailer mobile lab with early computer‑driven frequency‑control systems
• NASA‑supported atmospheric experiments
• Aircraft‑based data collection
• Controlled gas‑release tests
• Studies in airflow, induced power, and atmospheric behavior

The test site in O’Neill, Nebraska — chosen for its vast, flat terrain — became a proving ground for breakthroughs that shaped modern electrical understanding.

This project marked the beginning of a legacy that still powers the industry today.

William’s passion for innovation inspired his brothers — Joe, Donald, and George — to join him in building one of the most diverse and inventive family enterprises in the Midwest.

Together, they founded 13 companies, each rooted in practical engineering and American manufacturing:

• Industrial fan manufacturing
• Steel pipe fabrication
• Agricultural machinery
• Multiple patented technologies
• Tractor and power‑system development
• Electric motors, controls, and phase converters
• Industrial and agricultural innovations used across the region

Their companies powered farms, factories, and communities. They created jobs. They solved real‑world problems. They set new standards for reliability and craftsmanship.

This is the lineage that AC‑DC Hotline stands on today.

William J. Fritz was more than an engineer — he was a builder of opportunity. His influence shaped the next generations of the Fritz family and the continuation of the electrical and motor‑systems legacy through AC‑DC Hotline.

Today, AC‑DC Hotline carries:

• Seven decades of accumulated knowledge
• The original repair culture
• The old‑guard mindset
• The ability to fix what modern OEMs call “obsolete”
• A global network of experts who still know how to keep industry running

This is the legacy the Nikola Tesla Group honors and preserves.

This is the foundation of the modern electrical world.

This is the story that must never be lost.

Founded in 1953, AC DC Hotline combines decades of electrical expertise with a global supply chain. We provide hands-on support for motor controls, VFDs, soft starters, and more. Led by Director Roger Fritz, our team ensures reliable, practical solutions for industry needs.

Our technical expertise and customer focus ensure fast, accurate support. We diagnose issues, recommend solutions, and deliver reliability with proven field experience.