A Family Tradition, Carried Forward

In 1987, my dad, Mark, founded GSMS with a single van and a set of values that were never open for debate. From the very beginning, the mission was clear: always do what is right, even when it is challenging.

In those early days, it was just him doing everything. He built GSMS from the ground up by showing up for homeowners with honesty, care, and accountability. Our reputation was earned one home at a time and rooted in a simple promise he lived by every day: Service is Our Specialty. That promise became the foundation of this company and continues to guide how we serve our community today.

From One Van to a Family Business

What started as a one-person operation quickly became a true family effort.

When my dad met my mom, Cheryl, GSMS grew beyond the field and into the office. She stepped in to help manage the books, a role she proudly continues to support. GSMS was never just a business in our family. It became part of everyday life, shaped by long days, shared responsibility, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Long before officially joining the company, I was learning the business from the passenger seat. From riding along on service calls at a young age to officially joining the team in 2011, my understanding of GSMS was shaped by firsthand experience. Over time, I worked my way through installs, system design, and eventually into managing our team.

In 2019, our family grew again when my brother, Jack, joined GSMS as a Service Specialist, continuing our hands-on involvement in the business.

Family Owned Then. Family Owned Now.

The home service industry is changing. Across the country, locally founded companies are being acquired by large corporations and private equity firms, often shifting the focus away from long-term relationships and toward rapid growth and high-pressure sales.

At GSMS, we have made a clear and intentional decision to go the other way.

As ownership transitions to second-generation leadership, GSMS remains family-owned, locally operated, and deeply committed to the community we serve. GSMS is not for sale. Decisions will continue to be made locally, guided by trust, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with caring for our neighbors’ homes.

Our goal has never been to become the biggest company in the region. It has always been to be the most trusted.

The People Behind the Promise

While the Downing family continues to lead GSMS, the true strength of this company comes from the people who show up for our clients every day.

Our long-tenured Specialists are a defining part of what sets GSMS apart. Team members like Adam, who has been with GSMS for over 31 years, alongside Quinn, Gina, and Qwentin, reflect a culture built on respect, stability, and shared standards. When people stay with a company for years and even decades, it is because they believe in the work and the way it is done.

That consistency allows us to deliver dependable service and build relationships that extend far beyond a single visit.

Our Values, Worn Close to the Heart

As a team, we took time to define what has always guided our work. The result was Great Service Makes Sense, a reflection of the principles behind every decision and every interaction at GSMS.

Those values include:

• Grateful Daily – Choosing to find the positive and lead with appreciation, even in challenging situations
• Service Comes First – Focusing on relationships over transactions and treating people with respect
• Make It Matter – Paying attention to the details that create a lasting impact
• Success Is Teamwork – Growing together by supporting one another and sharing knowledge

We wear the GSMS logo over our hearts as a daily reminder that service is personal and trust is earned.

Looking Ahead to the Next 40 Years

For nearly four decades, my dad dedicated his life to making sure families felt comfortable and confident in their homes. I have spent my life learning from his example so I can carry that same responsibility forward.

As GSMS moves into this next chapter, my commitment is simple: to protect what my dad built, to support the team that makes this company what it is, and to continue serving our community with the same care and integrity that has always defined us.

Thank you for being part of our legacy.