Buddy brings over 35 years of business expertise to our clients. For twelve years, he led a national facilities services company with responsibility for K-12 schools and higher education operations across the United States. Buddy delivered results to customers, resulting in high customer satisfaction and company growth with average annual revenues that increased, on average, by 24% per year over eleven years. He founded Southern Building Service in the mid-nineties and served as President of that organization. The company enjoyed exponential growth, again with very high customer satisfaction and references. Buddy and the ESS executive team continue to have a “pioneering” attitude. Buddy graduated from the University of Tennessee with honors and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

With over 15 years of experience in K-12 operations, Steve joined the ESS team in February 2017.  He has successfully managed education based operations in excess of $100 million throughout the nation. Steve is accountable for ensuring quality operations and customer centered programs for each and every ESS client. Steve received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Clemson University in 2000 and his Master of Business Administration from Charleston Southern University in 2004. Steve resides in the Charleston, SC area with his wife and children.

John DeVall has 22 years of accounting experience in the service industry. He began his career with Associated Building Services as Senior Accountant and expanded his role to Controller of a subsidiary company. In 2005, John joined GCA Education Division to become the Division Controller. He was an integral part of a management team that increased revenue and EBITDA double digits each year from 2005 to 2014. John oversees all of ESS' financial processes and procedures. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Bernie Decker brings over 25 years of human resources experience to ESS. His expertise includes recruiting, hiring, training and development, benefits administration, and union negotiations. He joined ESS after spending twelve years previously with an education services provider where he served as Vice President of Human Resources and Training. His current responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, training of management, recruiters, teachers and support staff, as well as, administration of benefit plans, employee relations, training and employee development. Bernie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations from LeMoyne College, Syracuse, New York. He has furthered his education through various American Society for Training and Development seminars and attended Wimberly Lawson Labor Law Seminars for eleven years.

Ron Glisk has more than 25 years of sales and sales management experience. Prior to joining ESS, Ron was EVP of Sales and Marketing for Xanitos, Inc., a hospital housekeeping specialist firm. Before joining Xanitos, Ron was SVP of Sales and Marketing for GCA Education Services and, prior to that, SVP of Sales and Marketing for GCA at the corporate level. Ron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University.

Charlie has been with ESS since December of 2016.  He works closely with sales and operations to provide pricing for all new contracts nationwide as well as contract reviews and approvals.  He has the primary responsibility of supporting the Southeast management team to ensure regional growth, development and customer satisfaction.  He has over 30 years of management experience serving school districts and the higher education market. Before joining ESS, he served in senior management with a large national facilities services firm for over twelve years and led various aspects of sales and operations. Throughout his career, Charlie has been primarily responsible for managing and developing the southeastern United States where he consistently grew the business in this territory annually by double digit numbers, while assuring high quality services to the customers he served. Charlie is a 1986 graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

David Helton resides in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and brings over 30 years of both educational services and operational experience to our clients and team. His responsibilities have included management for operations and quality services delivery throughout the southeastern and south central United States. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.

Andy knows the inner workings of school systems – knowledge that helps ESS better-serve clients. He joined the company with more than sixteen years of experience directing financial affairs as a school business administrator for public school districts. He leads a multi-state team in performing day-to-day functions necessary for the company’s success.  Andy previously served as school business administrator for Haddonfield Public School District, New Jersey and Gloucester County Special Services School District in Sewell, New Jersey. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of Buhl Electric, Inc. in Sterling, Virginia. He is a member of the International Association of School Business Officials and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials and serves on the board for the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. Andy holds a bachelor’s degree from Elon University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rowan University. 

Thomas Gifford has 30 years of experience in facility management and operations. He has efficiently managed sales in the excess of $120 million annually in K-12 and higher educational facilities. His responsibilities have included management for operations and quality services throughout the Southwest. Thomas received his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1987 at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He holds a Registered Building Service Manager designation from the Building Service Contractors’ Association International. Thomas oversees all of ESS' operations in Texas.

In 1970, Acme Building Maintenance was founded by Henry Sanchez in San Jose, California, the heart of the soon to be Silicon Valley. Rick Sanchez began his career with Acme during his high school years and after graduation from college, joined his father’s firm on a full-time basis. Acme grew to be the premier facilities services company in Northern California and employed more than 2,000 individuals. In 2005, Acme decided to become a part of a national facilities services company and during the next 10 years, Rick held the position of Regional Vice President and led the operations in the Western United States. Rick joined ESS in 2016 and manages ESS' Western operations. Rick lives in the Bay Area of California with Carol, his wife of 36 years. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Physical Education and Recreation Degree and from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration.

Bernie brings to the table an extensive background in business, but also a background and understanding of the educational system and has himself been a substitute teacher. Bernie was raised in a family of educators (mother: teacher, sisters: teachers and counselors, father: superintendent). While working with his father in the operations of Professional Contract Management, Inc., the two realized the need to open additional offices to better serve school corporations. In July, 2006, they opened PCMI West. As Director of PCMI West, Bernie led the company in growth and presence throughout the state of Michigan while maintaining outstanding service levels for client schools. Once he became President of PCMI, he began to expand his leadership in other states providing cost saving programs to school districts. Bernie was recognized by the Greater Lansing Business Monthly publication, as the 2009 “Entrepreneur of the Year” for his many services to public schools. Today, Bernie is an Executive Vice President, for ESS.