Five Star Mechanical began in June 1999 as a true family vision. Founded by Gerald Ware Sr. and his wife Betty, the company was named for the five family members who started it all. The goal was simple: Gerald Sr. would mentor his children, passing down a lifetime of expertise in the HVAC industry and the principles of running a successful business.
In November 2001, the unexpected passing of Gerald Sr. devastated the Ware family and threatened the future of the young company. Suddenly without their mentor, the siblings were forced onto a "fast-track" of hard knocks. Learning the industry and the nuances of business on the fly, they navigated the catastrophic loss of their leader alongside multiple national economic downturns.
In 2016, John made the bold move to acquire Lodestar HVAC Inc. We remain forever grateful to Lloyd and Laurie Burningham for trusting John to carry the torch of their lifelong work and their dedication to their employees.
It was John Ware’s relentless perseverance—the commitment to "go to work" even when it would have been easier to fold—that transformed FSM into the Puget Sound staple it is today. John’s passion for entrepreneurship is driven by a simple mentality: "always do what is right" for our people and our customers.
Jessica Ware has been a cornerstone of Five Star Mechanical since December 1999. Over her nearly three-decade tenure, she has overseen every vital phase of the company’s administration, from dispatch to the management of complex software implementations. Her deep-rooted expertise across all office operations ensures that every project is handled with the efficiency and precision our customers have come to expect.
Working side-by-side for 27 years has given John & Jessica a unique bond that has only strengthened their relationship, marriage and faith. Today, as we look to the future, they are proud to be raising their children, who may one day bring Five Star Mechanical into its third generation as a family-owned legacy.
The Core Foundations of Five Star Mechanical
In 1999, Gerald L. Ware Sr. took 30 years of HVAC expertise and a dream and turned them into Five Star Mechanical. Alongside his family, Jerry set out to build more than just a business - he wanted to create a company that felt like a family, rooted in reliability and a deep commitment to our customers and our team.
In November 2001, we lost Jerry far too soon. He was a man of immense integrity who made a lasting impact on everyone he met. Today, we dedicate this site—and everything we do—to his memory.
The Ware family remains as committed as ever to honoring Jerry’s legacy. We do that by showing up every day, working hard, and striving to be the absolute best commercial HVAC partner in Western Washington.
Do you have questions about our commercial heating, cooling, or ventilation services in Western Washington? Are you interested in a recurring facility maintenance program? Fill out the contact framework and someone will reach out to you shortly. We look forward to speaking with you!
A Foundation of Five
Five Star Mechanical began in June 1999 as a true family vision. Founded by Gerald Ware Sr. and his wife Betty, the company was named for the five family members who started it all. The goal was simple: Gerald Sr. would mentor his children, passing down a lifetime of expertise in the HVAC industry and the principles of running a successful business.
Trial by Fire
In November 2001, the unexpected passing of Gerald Sr. devastated the Ware family and threatened the future of the young company. Suddenly without their mentor, the siblings were forced onto a “fast-track” of hard knocks. Learning the industry and the nuances of business on the fly, they navigated the catastrophic loss of their leader alongside multiple national economic downturns.
The Lodestar Legacy
In 2016, John made the bold move to acquire Lodestar HVAC Inc. We remain forever grateful to Lloyd and Laurie Burningham for trusting John to carry the torch of their lifelong work and their dedication to their employees.
Show Up & Serve
It was John Ware’s relentless perseverance—the commitment to “go to work” even when it would have been easier to fold—that transformed FSM into the Puget Sound staple it is today. John’s passion for entrepreneurship is driven by a simple mentality: “always do what is right” for our people and our customers.
Jessica Ware has been a cornerstone of Five Star Mechanical since December 1999. Over her nearly three-decade tenure, she has overseen every vital phase of the company’s administration, from dispatch to the management of complex software implementations. Her deep-rooted expertise across all office operations ensures that every project is handled with the efficiency and precision our customers have come to expect.
Working side-by-side for 27 years has given John & Jessica a unique bond that has only strengthened their relationship, marriage and faith. Today, as we look to the future, they are proud to be raising their children, who may one day bring Five Star Mechanical into its third generation as a family-owned legacy.
In 1999, Gerald L. Ware Sr. took 30 years of HVAC expertise and a dream and turned them into Five Star Mechanical. Alongside his family, Jerry set out to build more than just a business – he wanted to create a company that felt like a family, rooted in reliability and a deep commitment to our customers and our team.
More Than Just a Name
Ever wonder about the five stars in our logo? They stand for the five values Jerry lived by: Excellence, Honesty, Knowledge, Fairness, and Pride.
They also represent the five original members of the Ware family who started this journey together: Gerald Sr., Jeanne, Gerald Jr. (“Bud”), John, and Angela.
Honoring the Legacy
In November 2001, we lost Jerry far too soon. He was a man of immense integrity who made a lasting impact on everyone he met. Today, we dedicate this site—and everything we do—to his memory.
The Ware family remains as committed as ever to honoring Jerry’s legacy. We do that by showing up every day, working hard, and striving to be the absolute best commercial HVAC partner in Western Washington. When you work with us, you’re not just a client; you’re part of the legacy Jerry started over 25 years ago.
This site is dedicated in loving memory to our founder and father, Gerald L. Ware Sr. (1942—2001).
Do you have questions about our services? Are you interested in a recurring maintenance program? Fill out the contact form and someone will reach out to you shortly. We look forward to speaking with you!
