Selco’s founder began his career after college as a production engineer for Tracor, a military defense contractor now known as BAE Systems. During his 18 year tenure, he was instrumental in the production development of Gyrostabilized Optics and Countermeasures for military defense. Much of Selco's current success is attributed to what was learned from working with Tracor’s founder, Frank McBee, and from later years working for General Dynamics’ Convair Division as production superintendent for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile.

Selco, Inc., originally Selber, Inc. began in response to an Austin, Texas-based industrial engineering market survey. This survey revealed a need for off-site technical production and development services for major and mid-sized electronics manufacturers. Operations started in January 1984 and as additional contracts were secured, Selco became known as a viable source of promptly delivered, quality, high-tech services.