Our journey navigating economic downturns, monumental losses, and industry evolution.
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.
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.
The hard-working divisions keeping commercial spaces functioning perfectly across the Pacific Northwest.
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