HOLIDAY 2O21
THE G NOW Griffin Brothers Companies Holiday Newsletter
What's Happening at GBC? 2021 Holiday Newsletter Exciting things are happening at Griffin Brothers Companies! As we come to the end of another year, we can't help but look back at this past year and see how much growth, change and development has happened. Inside this newsletter, you'll find a glimpse of just that. You'll read stories about tradesmen accomplishing their wildest dreams, entrepreneurs achieving their goals, companies launching into their next chapter and so much more. Take a look, celebrate the successes of others, be reminded of why we do what we do and continue pushing forward to create, empower and revolutionize industries with service at their core to perpetuate opportunities and inspire generational impact.
What's Inside This Issue? Viva Expands Into A New Market - pg. 2 From 3 to 23 Vehicles -pg. 3 Roland Black Reaches New Market- pg. 4 Keeping Up with Roland Black- pg. 5 National Tradesmen Day- pg. 6 A New Look For Southern Cut- pg. 8 A New Spin on Hardscapes- pg.9 Meet the Team- pg. 10 Happy Birthday- pg. 11 10 Tips for Paylocity- pg.12 Sasser's Explosive Growth- pg. 14 Ease Plumbing's New Location- pg. 16 Absolute Collision's Acquisition- pg. 18 Feeling Festive- pg. 20
VIVA ELECTRIC | HOLIDAY 2O21
Viva Expands Into A New Market Lighting Up The Greenville Community Through the market leader program, Viva is inspiring and giving electricians the opportunity to open their own location under the Viva umbrella and earn a percentage of the profit shares. Currently, Viva has locations in Charlotte and Lake Norman and now Greenville, NC. Mike Hoggard, Market Leader at Viva Electric, is overseeing the Greenville branch and lighting up the lives of the residents and community in the eastern part of the state. He began working as an electrician 26 years ago when his best friend’s father introduced him to the trade and gave him his first opportunity. He earned his license in 2012 and the rest is history. However, in his 26 years in the industry, he’s never come across a company or an opportunity like the one Viva has provided.
Hoggard said it was the structure of what Viva was offering that drew him in initially. “I’m excited about the capability to get out here and run my own market,” he said. He also says that for any young electricians who are looking to find their way in this trade or to become a market leader themselves, it is best to “work hard, listen to your peers and learn as much as you can.” Since July 12th, Mike has been a part of the Viva family and he’s already been lighting up the lives of our team members and community. “At the core of what we want to do is light up the lives of our clients, community and team members,” said Maegan Giler, co-owner of Viva Electric. “We are looking forward to zooming into this new market and Mike is the perfect person to lead the way in Greenville.”
“I’m excited for Mike and how he is taking Viva to Coastal North Carolina,” said Jimmy Giler, co-owner of Viva Electric. “Mike not only knows the trade, but he also knows the community and is in line with our company values. He is an incredible asset to the team and we’re excited to see him light up the Greenville community.”
VIVA ELECTRIC | HOLIDAY 2O21
From 3 to 23 Vehicles: Leading Through Explosive Growth Want to know more about how Viva Electric went from 3 to 23 vehicles? How the shared services work model alleviates some of the backend headaches? Or how the Market Leader program is helping the next generation of tradesmen and women become owners alongside of us? Take a few minutes to listen to this Toolbox For The Trades podcast with Viva Electric's co-owner Maegan Giler and Jackie Aubel from ServiceTitan as they discuss the shared services work model, how to successfully pivot, the importance of mentorship, the value of promoting from within, how market leaders are trained, women in the electrical industry and so much more.
“Based on my experience at Viva and on shared services, whether it's a new market, a new business venture, whatever the case may be, just always remain mentally flexible and adapt,” she says. “You always have to adapt no matter what life throws at you and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
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ROLAND BLACK | HOLIDAY 2O21
Roland Black Reaches South Charlotte Market A New Location With the Same Guarantee For 48 years Roland Black Heating and Cooling has been serving the Gaston County area with the highest quality products and the best customer service around, and now the time has come to expand and take our services into another community. Roland Black opened its south Charlotte location in Pineville, North Carolina in November and began serving clients in south Charlotte and providing a place where comfort and clean air can be experienced in every home. This new location will be led by Roland Black’s newest Market Leader, Jordan Wall. Wall joined the Roland Black team in 2015 and has been an integral player in the company’s success.
“Roland Black is very familyoriented and it has always been that way. We make sure we look out for the customer and that’s what I like to be a part of. If someone came to my house I’d want them to take care of my family like it was their own, too.” Jordan has been a valuable asset to the Roland Black team and has helped propel the company forward. “He is not only a very skilled HVAC technician but he’s also a well-respected leader within our company,” said Jerome Trehy, owner of Roland Black Heating and Cooling. “I can think of no one better to lead our south Charlotte market. I am fully confident that he and his team will deliver the same level of service and customer experience that have become synonymous with the Roland Black name.”
“Jordan is a highly skilled HVAC technician and he genuinely cares for his clients,” said Jerome Trehy, owner of Roland Black Heating and Cooling. “I am excited to watch him succeed, train the next generation of tradesmen and lead Roland Black into this next chapter.”
ROLAND BLACK | HOLIDAY 2O21
Keep Up To Date with Roland Black Heating and Cooling Here's What They've Been Up To The team at Roland Black Heating and Cooling is on a mission to cultivate a culture of comfort and care so that they can exceed their clients' expectations on every call, job or conversation. By embracing the artistry of the trade, being a good neighbor and pushing one another toward success that they are able to do that. In addition to opening a new location, this season their team has been especially busy with fall performance and safety checks, helping clients find out what's causing the ghostly noises that are coming from their heating and cooling systems as well as talking about the importance of indoor air quality and how indoor plants may or may not help. Stay up to date and in the know with all that's happening on Roland Black by following them on social media and their blog page.
GBC|HOLIDAY 2O21
Celebrating National Tradesmen Day A Day To Say Thank You On September 17th, Griffin Brothers Companies celebrated National Tradesmen's Day with all of the plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, landscapers and hardscapers that are a part of the GBC family. To all of our tradesmen and women, thank you all for your hard work and dedication day in and day out.
SOUTHERN CUT DESIGN & BUILD | HOLIDAY 2O21
A New Look for Southern Cut Where Art and Nature Coexist Over the last several months, the Southern Cut team has been taking an introspective look at how they want to be known in the community, asking what is the vision for the company and considering at the end of the day, how will Southern Cut be remembered? After dissecting those questions it became apparent that Southern Cut Design & Build is a place where art and nature coexist, and that's how they want to be known. Through this lens, we've created a new look that fully encompasses the mission while staying true to our Charlotte roots. Check out this brand reveal sneak peek and stay tuned for the full reveal.
SOUTHERN CUT DESIGN & BUILD | HOLIDAY 2O21
A New Spin on Hardscapes Recent Hardscape and Landscape Project in Lake Wylie Southern Cut Design and Build is a company where art and nature collide on a daily basis. Whether it's through researching different plants that will pop in a client's yard or designing a unique backyard hardscape that will be an everyday oasis, this team can do it all. Recently, Greyson and Noah and the team at Southern Cut were tasked with a massive project. This beast of a Lake Wylie transformation is one for the ages. The Southern Cut team transformed every inch of this backyard starting with raised garden beds, natural stone steppers, a fire pit with a swirl and 300,000 pounds of rift-raft to raise the shoreline 3.5 feet. Take a look at this incredible video as Noah walks you through every piece of the project and gives you an inside look at what it was like to bring art and nature together to create this stunning masterpiece.
This project included: Patio Area Design and Install Drainage Irrigation Install Sod Lighting Features Erosion Control Bank Stabilization
GBC| HOLIDAY 2O21
MEET TIM Meet Tim! Tim Nigh joined the Griffin Brothers team in September as the Operations/ Sales Czar & Leadership Development Coach. As the ZoomUp companies continue to Zoom, his expertise in leadership development and training will be invaluable to the Zoomers, Market Leaders and GBC Leadership teams. Tim is a Certified Color Code Trainer, and a Certified Speaker, Trainer and Coach through the John Maxwell Team. Prior to joining the team at Griffin Brothers, Tim served in the US Army and has held the title of Vice President of Operations for a heating and air, plumbing and electric company.
Our Zoomers are zooming and with that comes exciting growth. We’re looking for detail-oriented, self-motivated, high-achievers to join our teams. We’re currently hiring for the following positions and more: Customer Service Rep Controller/Director of Finanace Dispatcher Recruiter Click the button below to view all open positions. If you know of anyone who may be a good fit for our teams, we'd love to know— contact us at zuss@griffinbros.com
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GBC| HOLIDAY 2O21
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Steven Thomas
Dec.8
Agustin Hernandes Rojas
Jan.20
Michael Napper
Dec.9
Aaron Williams
Jan.22
Jamison Sinclair
Dec.10
Joan Gomez
Jan.22
Elijah Carroll
Dec.11
David Morris
Jan.25
Marcus Gentry
Dec.12
Jorge Miguel Pena Flores
Jan.30
Jeffrey Roberson
Dec.16
Robert Miller
Feb.2
Justin Donaldson
Dec.20
Jordan Cupit
Feb.3
Austin Hoggard
Dec.20
LaJuanda Pritchard
Feb.4
Justin Crawley
Dec.20
Beth Clay
Feb.4
Katelyn Cromley
Dec.22
Darren Osborne
Feb.5
Clifford Funk
Dec.26
Jarrett Donaldson
Feb.5
Stephen McCorkle
Dec.27
Lindsey Wise
Feb.6
Travis Anderson
Dec.27
Mason Kurkendall
Feb.9
Jeffrey Howard
Dec.31
Wayne Washington
Feb.10
Gerardo Adame Saenz
Jan.1
Laura Cooke
Feb.10
Veng Kpiuh
Jan.1
Sandra Falkner
Feb.10
Wich Rahlan
Jan.1
James McRae
Feb.11
Jerry Craig
Jan.5
Darcy Causby
Feb.12
Mark Turner
Jan.6
Mason Glessner
Feb.14
Andrew Beeney
Jan.7
Colton McAndrew
Feb.15
Angelo Bartis
Jan.8
Timothy Jenkins
Feb.17
William Hendrick
Jan.8
R. Kim Womack
Feb.24
Jonathan Stewart
Jan.10
William Dancy II
Feb.26
Conor Helingoetter
Jan.10
Joel Beatty
Jan.10
James Austin
Jan.11
Ransom Plybon
Jan.13
William Hoggard
Jan.17
Austin Joy
Jan.18
Linda Griffin
Jan.18
GBC| HOLIDAY 2O21
Get the Most Out of Paylocity 5 Easy To Implement Tips Everyone Should Know Griffin Brothers Companies utilizes Paylocity to help make company announcements, send out surveys, manage time-off requests, host trainings and so much more. With all that is possible inside of Paylocity, Tammy Mills, HR Director for Griffin Brothers Companies, has given 5 quick and easy tips for how you can best utilize Paylocity year-round. Have more questions about how to use Paylocity as a manager, how to find different trainings or just want to know what else there is inside this system? Email Tammy at tammy@griffinbros.com.
Announcements : You will find company announcements, mandatory notices to staff, and general information under announcement.You will get an email notification when a new announcement is posted.
Tasks to complete: Here you will find items require action be taken by you! Typically, these are quick surveys where we are looking for your input, or we are getting a temperature check on the status of a situation. In the future you will find your training assignments here as well.
10 TIPS FOR PAYLOCITY
Company: Here you can open the employee handbook; this is a great tool to use whenever you have a question regarding company policy.
Benefits Section: Here you have the opportunity to update your dependents, look at retirement plans, or the benefit guide for our current benefit year. Finally, we have added the Employee Navigator link-click on here and it will take you to the benefit site for your specific coverage/elections. This will be helpful in July during open enrollment!
Career site: This link takes you to all open positions within our companies.
GBC| HOLIDAY 2O21
Communities: Here you will find company announcements, mandatory notices to staff, and general information under announcement.You will get an email notification when a new announcement is posted.
Pay: Your current and historical pay information and tax forms (W2’s and 1095’s)
Time Off on the app is the same as the PC.
10 TIPS FOR PAYLOCITY
Time Off: Who doesn’t want to know about this? First you need to disregard the accrued time in blue as these numbers are not currently tracking correctly; we are working on fixing this and will keep you updated on the status.
The portion of Time Off that is working is the More Button: This is where you go to submit a time off request. - Type will be Vacation, select single or multiple days. **If selecting multiple days before and after a holiday do not include the holiday in your time off span. - HOURS OFF CAN ONLY BE TAKEN IN 4 HOUR INCREMENTS - Submit request, this sends the request to your manager for approval. -You will receive an email letting you know if it has been approved or declined.
SASSER RESTORATION | HOLIDAY 2O21
Meet Tim Parker, Sasser's National Project Executive. A 30-year Insurance claims veteran will help assist the firm’s national expansion goals.
Adjuster Diaries: A Podcast For Insurance Adjusters Adjuster Diaries is the ultimate guide for new and experienced adjusters alike for learning the intricacies commercial and large loss claims. Tim Parker, Sasser's National Project Executive will host the podcast and will be sharing his knowledge, experience, and connections of the industry.
For nearly three decades Tim has been deeply involved in all phases of commercial and residential high-net-worth, large loss projects across the United States. He has worked across the industry in insurance, claims, and contracting as an Adjuster, Consultant, Director, Risk Manager and Assistant Vice President (AVP). He is licensed in over 32 states as an insurance adjuster. In this role, Parker will be responsible for executing the firm’s national expansion goals including East Coast, West Coast, and Central states business development while maintaining our commitment to elite customer service, responsiveness, and quality. “We’re very excited to have Tim join the Sasser Family,” said Miguel Figueroa, Sasser’s Chief Operating Officer. “With his expertise, relationships, and understanding of our industry, Tim will be a huge asset in helping us reach our national expansion goals.”
SASSER RESTORATION | HOLIDAY 2O21
Sasser Hires Senior Vice Presidents to Oversee the LA and DFW Regional Offices Sasser Restoration recently announced its new DFW and LA regional offices, and in order to support its growth, has hired new team members to lead Sasser in its next chapter. It’s vital to our company that the individuals we hire are not only experts in the field but also in line with Sasser’s culture, vision and values. As we are sending our teams to be the helpers, the do-ers and the ones on the ground serving you in life’s hardest moments, we want to be sure that these are the individuals you can trust to get the job done. It is not a responsibility that we take lightly and you can rest assured that we only hire the best of the best. With that being said, we are proud to welcome new leaders who will oversee the company’s DFW and LA regional offices.
David Duta joined the team as Sasser’s Senior Vice President- LA. With 17 years in the construction industry and 12 years in the restoration industry, David is well-prepared to handle any size catastrophic loss and lead Sasser forward in this new venture. He is a master certified water restorer, master certified fire restorer, and master certified textile restorer through the IICRC. Chris Mitchell joined the team as Sasser’s Senior Vice President- DFW. He has worked in the construction, restoration, and facilities management industries for 15 years and brings a valuable perspective in the mitigation process. He has a broad list of educational certifications, as well as unique experiences he leverages to help exceed all his customers’ needs. With his extensive large-loss background and network of relationships, Chris will be an integral part of the Sasser team.
EASE PLUMBING AND AIR | HOLIDAY 2O21
Ease Plumbing Opens Third Location in Monroe, NC Number Three Out of A Thousand From the day its doors opened, Ease Plumbing has experienced extreme and rapid growth. Within one year this start-up went from two employees to over 25 trained and skilled technicians and 20 service vehicles. And they’re not stopping there. Only a few months after the second location launch, it is with great excitement that Ease Plumbing announced its third location in Monroe, North Carolina! On October 1st, Ease Plumbing hosted a grand opening ribbon-cutting event to celebrate this new location. Jamison Sinclair, Ease Plumbing’s newest Market Leader, is overseeing the Monroe location’s daily operations. Jamison started out as a plumber while he was still in high school and gained his license in 2018. As a native of Monroe, he’s eager to take the Ease name to his hometown.
Jamison has been on all sides of the business and knows what it takes to run his own company, but now he will have the tools he needs to succeed, to grow, to train others and achieve his wildest dreams. “I’m really looking forward to training people. I want to be able to train apprentices and see them go on to know as much or more than I do,” he said. At Ease Plumbing, we believe that when you treat your employees right, they’ll go on and treat the clients right as well, and that’s another key factor Jamison is focusing on.
“I’m excited to be able to provide good service to the community. I feel like I can grow and like I can teach people, and to get down to it, I just like helping customers.”
EASE PLUMBING AND AIR | HOLIDAY 2O21
Take It Ease-y This Holiday Season Here's what you've missed... The importance of indoor air quality cannot be overstated, but what's the best way to purify the air in your home? Some are trying to use plants to keep the air clean; take a look at what the Ease Air team has to say about this. Learn More
Are you looking for a simple DIY spa night at home? Maybe skip the bath bombs and stick to the traditional bubble bath. Ease Plumbing gives you a look at what bath bombs can do to your pipes. Learn More
Do you have five seconds to spare? We'd love for you to leave a quick 5-star review for the Ease Plumbing team in Monroe! Simply click the button below to leave a 5-star review! Learn More
Congratulations Are In Order! Austin Helms Earns Plumbing License Please join us in congratulating Austin Helms on officially becoming a licensed plumber in North Carolina. This signifies a huge step forward for Ease Plumbing and paves the way for the Ease Plumbing team to zoom into new markets in the near future.
ABSOLUTE COLLISION | HOLIDAY 2O21
Absolute Collision Acquires New Location Keep Zooming! Absolute Collision is continuing to zoom! Recently, Absolute Collision acquired a neighboring collision repair shop in Shelby, Bowens Collision. This acquisition will allow the Absolute Collision team in Shelby to expand, broaden its client list, and occupy a larger facility so that it can better serve its clients. Congratulations to the team at Absolute Collision for this exciting growth— we are eager to see your continued growth and success in the coming years.
ABSOLUTE COLLISION | HOLIDAY 2O21
What's Getting The Greenlight Keep Up With What's Happening at Absolute Collision Beep! Beep! 2022 is just around the corner and between holiday parties, family gettogethers, last-minute shopping trips and grocery errands, we have a feeling that you may be spending some time on the road over the next few weeks. If that’s the case for you and you find yourself in need of an auto body repair, keep Absolute Collision in mind! Our team is here and ready to get you back on the road faster. Accidents can happen at any time, and you may not always be prepared financially to cover the costs of unexpected auto repairs. Absolute Collision understands this and is proud to now offer financing solutions so that their clients can get on the road faster without the financial strain. What else is getting the green light? At Absolute Collision, we love to give back to our community and refuel the people who need it most. Last month our Forest City location had the opportunity to provide lunch to the Forest City Fire Department as a way of saying thank you for all they do. We encourage you to look for ways to refuel those around you this month.
GRIFFIN BROTHERS COMPANIES | HOLIDAY 2O21
Feeling Festive at GBC Griffin Brothers Companies team members celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving with spooktacular costumes, delicious foods, and grateful hearts.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! May this holiday season be merry and bright.