In This Issue:
P1. Official Grand Opening In Cali
P2. Graybar Spark Plug Program
P2. Saving Money with Samsara
P3-5. Featured Franchise: Wilmington
P5. New Vendor Announcement
P6. New Appointment Scheduling Tool
P6-7. Out & About with the Field Team
P7. GSC Celebrates a Local Hero
Excitement filled the air this May as Generator Supercenter of Inland Empire, owned by Blanca and Julian Lujan, officially celebrated its long-awaited grand opening. While the location has been serving customers with installations and service for some time, afewCaliforniapermittingchallenges delayed the official ribbon-cutting until now.
The wait was worth it! The showroom was brimming with energy and welcomed visitors with raffle giveaways, food, and a lively atmosphere that kept guests engaged throughout the event. The highlight of the day was a memorable ribboncutting ceremony, where the GSC family spirit was on full display. The team’s camaraderie was evident as Blanca and Julian, along with their dedicated staff, marked this significant milestone.
Also In attendance were members of the Generator Supercenter Corporate team and the Franchise Training team, who made the trip to sunny California to show their support.
Blanca and Julian have built more than just a business in Inland Empire – they’ve created a strong, supportive team that exemplifies the GSC values.
Congratulations to Generator Supercenter of Inland Empire! With your solid foundation in place, we all look forward to seeing what’s next for this dynamic team.
It’s official: all processes are complete, and spark plugs are now in stock with Graybar! For those with Smart Ship capabilities, plugs will be automatically added to your catalog. Please review these key points and the visual guide provided by Tomball’s Service Manager, Jack Zernia, below:
• Graybar’s current available quantity is shown in the table below. Lead times for restocking are listed at the bottom of the table note that these are Graybar’s lead times.
• The sheet also includes engine and kW-specific notes to help streamline your ordering process.
• You’ll notice one plug is priced at $7.00. This plug is for the 2.4L engine. Due to issues with traditional plugs and long run times, this high-quality Iridium plug is designed to handle the demands. We’re getting Iridium quality for the same price you’d typically pay for copper a fantastic savings!
This
Samsara is one of GSC’s approved vendors for managing safety on the road. Through the use of dash cams, sensors and computer vision, Samsara detects unsafe driving conditions and alerts drivers to high-risk behaviors in real time. Drivers have access to dashboards with scorecards, trend reports and even video coaching. Equipping your teams with these tools creates lasting change, lowers costs in the long term and ultimately saves lives.
For more information about getting started with Samsara please contact our onboarding manager, Ken Devine. Kdevine@generatorsupercenter.com
Camera Highlights
* Front & Dual Facing Options
* Speaker for real-time AI Cab Coaching
* Auto Uploads of incident footage
* Safety Reports
* Plug and Play Installations
Platform Highlights
* Footage automatically tagged and saved
* Driver Safety Scores
* Safety Overview tracks and improvements
* Real-Time Manager Alerts for Speeding and other events
What better way to welcome summer than with a visit to the beautiful North Carolina coast? This month, we’re proud to feature Generator Supercenter of Wilmington, our longest-standing franchise. Owned and operated by Dan Miller, this location has set the standard for excellence within our network. In the following article you’ll get an inside look at Dan’s journey to joining the Generator Supercenter family and the hard work behind building one of our most successful franchises.
Building a Legacy: How Family, Grit, and Vision Fueled Our Generator Supercenter Success
Gina and I met in college and have now been married for 38 wonderful years. We’re proud parents to two daughters and grandparents to two energetic grandsons—with hopes for more in the future! Originally from Kentucky, (Gina from Winchesterandmyselffrom Louisville) we’ve spent our lives building a home, a family, and ultimately, a business legacy we are incredibly proud of.
Gina made the selfless decision to step away from her corporate career to raise our daughters. Her support gave me the opportunity to thrive in the chemical industry, where I spent 20 years rising through the ranks. From Office Manager to Vice President, I held various roles that required us to move seven times across the country.
Eventually, I stepped away from corporate life and launched my own software company. We built custom websites, developed integrations to bridge legacy and modern software, and became a valueadded reseller for various platforms. As that business matured, my daughter Rachel stepped in to lead daily operations, freeing me up for the next big challenge.
Q. How did you discover Generator Supercenter?
In 2017, Gina and I met Doug Dixon at a franchise expo. His passion for Generator Supercenter was contagious. While I was intrigued right away, I was just diagnosed with a form of Leukemia (CLL)thatputuncertaintyinmylife, Stillthespark was lit. Gina needed a bit more convincing. I was alreadytransitioningoutof day-to-dayoperations at my software firm and ready for something new.
Before committing, I invited every potential competitor into my home to sell me a generator. The experience was eye-opening. After seeing their presentations, I knew we could do better— and that we’d succeed.
Q. What do you do every single day to help achieve success at your store?
Operating a successful Generator Supercenter franchise takes leadership rooted in marketing, sales, and brand presentation. Whether it’s signage, team uniforms, or customer interactions, everything represents the brand. If you're uncomfortable with marketing or sales, you’ll need to get comfortable fast. Your success depends on it. (Continued)
Each day, I focus on one thing: managing and supporting my team. Our business installs home standby generators, but we’re first and foremost a sales and marketing organization. Every team member, from installers to front office staff, plays a crucial role in our reputation. Their professionalism and commitment are the reason for our continued growth.
Q. What “words of wisdom,” tips, or lessons learned can you share to help Franchisees who are still getting started?
As the longest-running franchise in the GSC family, Generator Supercenter of Wilmington has learned a lot. My advice: build a team that shares your vision even if they lack experience. Loyalty and respect go a long way. Train them, invest in them, and they’ll grow with you.
Never cut corners on sales and marketing. That’s the lifeblood of your business. A company that scales back on marketing is a company in decline.
Q. What challenges, if any, did you face when opening your store, and how did you overcome them?
One of our early hurdles was finding the right location something that offered visibility, warehouse space, and a showroom. We ended up securing a strong retail space and negotiated a lower rate on adjacent units for warehousing and even used an RV storage facility for inventory overflow. It wasn’t perfect, but it bought us time to grow into something better.
What operational improvements has GSC Wilmington made that could benefit other franchises' efficiency?
We run our franchise using a “silo” model dividing operations into Sales, Installation, and service. Each silo tracks progress via a shared tracker, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. We also streamlined our installations with 3-person teams: two electricians and one gas technician. This model helps us complete most installs in a single day.
Q. Generator Supercenter truly believes that our people will always be our greatest asset. Can you tell us a bit about your team in Wilmington? Our team is the heart of Generator Supercenter of Wilmington. One of my earliest hires was Jimmy Evans an inspiring mentor who came on board at 76 after closing his own business. Jimmy helped shape our young crew into skilled electricians. Sadly, he passed away on May 15th, and I dedicate this article to his memory. He will be truly missed
Several of my original team members arestillwith us today:
- Tony Huskey, our Sales Manager, developed our Builder Program and Big Box partnerships.
- Kirt Lamkins, a gas piping specialist, mentored our now-licensed tech Josh Keller.
- Erik Walker, a military veteran who joined us from Lowe’s, now holds an unlimited electrical license.
- Cody Snodgrass, once a heavy equipment operator, also earned his unlimited electrical license with us.
These incredible people, along with our strong front office staff and dependable field technicians, have allowed us to open a second
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location in New Bern, NC. Watching them buy homes, cars, and start families of their own is one of my greatest sources of pride.
Q. How does GSC of Wilmington incorporate the MissionStatement withyourteam and/orinyour community in North Carolina?
Long before GSC’s mission statement was put to paper, we lived it through our actions. We believe in second chances and have hired individuals seeking a new path in life. Some rise to the challenge, others don’t but we’re proud to offer the opportunity.
We’re also deeply involved in our community. We support WARM, a local organization that assists low-income homeowners, and contributes to cancer charities including Hope Abounds, which provides compassionate, no-cost support to cancer patients and their families.
Q. Looking back, what’s one of your favorite memories shared with the GSC family?
After a hurricane hit Wilmington, fellow GSC member Wes Metcalfe drove through the night with fuel and supplies. He stayed at our house, and one night we heard a neighbor scream. Sword in hand (yes, a sword!), Wes raced out to help only to find a scared woman whose dog had gone missing. It wasn’t quite the emergency he expected, but the moment has become one of our most memorable stories. Wes’s heart and bravery left a lasting impression.
Our journey with Generator Supercenter has been about more than just business. It’s been about people our family, our team, and the community we serve. Success hasn’t come overnight, but through commitment, resilience, and a belief in something greater than ourselves.
If you’re just getting started with GSC, know this: you’re joining a family. One that’s built on trust, hard work, and a shared mission to power up homes and lives across the country.
Generator Supercenter has officially partnered up with a brand new Vendor! Interstate Batteries is rolling out a special National Pricing Program exclusive to GSC Franchises. Interstate is based in Dallas Texas, but will have dedicated distributers available in every city we require.
A representative from Interstate Batteries will be reaching out to all GSC Owners very soon to introduce themselves and share the program information with you all.
We’re excited to announce that a new scheduling feature has been added to Salesforce! This tool allows schedulers to easily pull up nearby appointments based on customer location, salesperson availability, and proximity to the customer’s home. You can filter by date, distance, and the number of consultations a salesperson has already. The feature has proven very helpful in test markets.
�� Watch this How-To Video to explore all the options!
(Also available in Franconnect’sLibrary : Software > Salesforce > Salesforce Videos.)
https://www.loom.com/share/9bdadbf73af44d12a1abaa34df4f3229?sid=aae1468f-c9fe-465e-a6c3683dd8019fdf
Our newest Field Manager, Mike Llanez, has hit the ground running as he makes his way through the Mid-South, building connections andgettingtoknowourvaluedFranchisees. Mikehas broughtafresh perspective and enthusiasm to his new role, and his visits have already begun fostering a deeper sense of Franchise Support across the region.
Robert DeShazo and his team gave Mike a true GSC welcome by taking him fishing in Corpus Christi. It was a terrific opportunity for Mike to experience firsthand the hospitality and teamwork that define the GSC culture.
Mike, along with Nate Fern and Hunter Julseth from Generac, also represented GSC at the grand opening of a new Lowe’s in Halseth, TX. The team at Generator Supercenter of Denton is eager to take on this new store.
The recent Small Groups Meeting in the Southeast sparked inspirationamongseveralTexas Franchisees, leadingtothefirst-ever Texas Owners Meeting. Mark Perry, owner of GSC of San Antonio, met with TJ Mills, owner of GSC of Austin, as well as Nate Fern, Mike Llanez, and Wes Proffitt from Generac. Together, they shared best practices, exchanged ideas, and discussed ways to improve operational efficiencies and customer service. The meeting highlighted the power of collaboration and the willingness of our leaders to learn from one another to drive collective success.
In the Northeast, Territory Manager Eric Colamarino demonstrated the GSC spirit of stepping up when needed. He traveled to assist the GSC of Pittsburgh when they were hit by an unexpected storm. His hands-on efforts included door knocking to reach customers affected by power outages, generating leads, qualifying phone inquiries, andmanagingdataentrytoensure a smoothflowof service for new customers.
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Meanwhile, GSC of Annapolis kept the company’s strong traditions alive
Eric’s support was a great reminder of how we always step in to help our Franchisees handle challenges.
Territory Managers Jeremy Blank and Mike Llanez, along with Tara Harrison and Cayden Wildeman from Corporate, recently visited GSC of Oklahoma to reinforce GSC’s operational standards
Jeremy concentrated on sales strategies and accompanied Outside Sales Representative, Katelynn Solf, on customer visits. Tara provided training for staff members, focusing on how to access and utilize training materials and stay up to date on best practices. Cayden and Mike worked closely with the service teams to ensure service standards are being met in the field.
In addition to supporting the internal team, Jeremy and Mike met with several Lowe’s partners to further strengthen relationships and foster collaboration in Oklahoma.
It’s clear that the dedication and collaborative spirit of our Franchisees, Field Managers, and partners like Generac continue to drive GSC’s success. Together, we’re building stronger connections, embracing challenges, and creating a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Giving back to those who gave it their all
Each year, Generator Supercenter proudly donates a generator to honor a local HERO in our community.
This year’s special recipient is an Iraq War Veteran from Precinct 4, identified with the help of Constable Mark Herman and his deputies. During his deployment, this hero endured life-altering injuries when his vehicle was struck by an IED (improvised explosive device). The attack resulted in the loss of his left leg, most of his vision, and caused severe spinal damage.
Matt Metcalfe, Stephen Cruise, Justin Odefey, Jose Moreno, and officers from Precinct 4 were all present at the installation to express their gratitude, honoring his sacrifice and service to protect our freedom.
Our annual generator donation to a local hero always kicks off our excitement for Freedom Month in July. It’s a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience within our community and a chance for us to reflect on the many reasons we have to be grateful.
