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.
Ever wonder about the five stars in our logo? They stand for the five core 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.
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 our company and everything we do to his memory.
The Ware family remains as committed as ever to honoring Jerry’s legacy by showing up every day, working hard, and striving to be the absolute best commercial mechanical partner in Western Washington. When you work with us, you’re not just a client; you’re part of the family legacy Jerry started over 25 years ago.
The 5 core principles our founder Jerry lived by—and the promise we make to every facility we serve.
Uncompromised craftsmanship in every mechanical system.
Transparent B2B pricing and straight-shooting dispatch.
Decades of master technical expertise in the field.
Doing what is right for our team, clients, and community.
Standing behind our work 24/7 across Puget Sound.
Over 25 years of continuous commercial mechanical service across the Puget Sound region.
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 commercial HVAC-R industry.
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 navigated the loss of their leader alongside multiple national economic downturns, emerging with hardened industry strength.
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 dedication to field 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. Driven by the simple mentality to “always do what is right” for our people and customers, John and Jessica Ware (who has overseen administration since 1999) continue leading FSM toward its third generation of family ownership.
The trusted team behind every service call, project, and partnership.
Have questions about our company history, commercial HVAC-R capabilities, or partnering with Five Star Mechanical? Fill out the contact form, or reach out directly to our dispatch team. We look forward to building a lasting relationship with your facility!
