Our family has been in the plumbing business for nearly 60 years.  A few years ago, we had a decision to make…should we move forward and grow our small, family owned business, or pass it on to someone else and let them have the headaches.  It was 1999 and our sales were $ 7 million dollars.  We had approximately 40 employees.  Our systems were old and antiquated, inventory management was almost non-existent and our small fleet of trucks was falling apart right before our eyes.  In early 2000, we made the decision to move forward and with the help of some outside consultants, affinity groups, and the RI Department of Economic Development, we have made our mark on the plumbing and home services industry. 

Today, we have over 300 employees and sales of nearly $ 36 million dollars.  Our state of the art systems are innovative, our fleet of 165 vehicles is well maintained and efficiently operating, we possess some of the most innovative technology known to modern business, and we have made it to the list of one of the largest, most successful home services companies in the United States.

This success did not come without hard work, perseverance, and courage, it also took the dedication of every employee we have.  The Gem Business Model can show you how to accomplish the same success and results, without having it cost you your entire life savings.  We believe our business model and common sense approach will change the way you do business. 

Do you often feel that selling your business would be easier than fixing it?  Do you feel as though nearly 100% of your life is soaked into keeping your head above water?  How about feeling that trying to implement change is not only impossible, but could be deadly to your bottom line?  These feelings are real.  And they won’t go away until you make the decision to change!  It’s all about change!  It’s about bringing your company to the top rung of the ladder, without faltering during the process.   We offer companies and organizations like yours, a complete toolbox with everything you need to change your culture, create and implement a strategic plan that works, and continually improve your processes so that you gain a leading edge over your competition, no matter what type of business you are in. 

Meet the Trainers

Anthony Gemma - Starting at the tender age of 10, Anthony worked along side his Dad, assisting him with his plumbing and heating service calls.  After many years of working in the plumbing field, Anthony made the decision to further his career and study law.  He graduated from Suffolk University in 1992 with his BS in Legal Argument/Communications and continued his law education at Roger Williams University School of Law and graduated in 1998 with his J.D Degree. 

Since 1998, Anthony has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gem Plumbing & Heating and in 2002 was appointed to the position of President of the Residential Services Division of Gem Plumbing & Heating.  His passion for marketing, along with his futuristic vision of the company, have resulted in enormous growth and success.

Some of his accomplishments include the development and implementation of one of the most strategic and aggressive marketing campaigns known to the home services industry.  This has resulted in an increase in sales from $ 7 million dollars in 1999 to over $ 35 million dollars in 2006, and several awards.  He has also worked tirelessly to improve employee relations, increase morale, and empower employees.  Today, Gem Plumbing & Heating employees over 300 people, making it one of the largest company’s of its kind in the United States.

Anthony is an accomplished public speaker and motivator and consults with organizations throughout the United States on the importance of creating and implementing clear mission statements, vision statements and value systems.    Anthony is also responsible for the creation of the Gem “Strategic Fun Plan”.  This plan allows employees at all levels to “have fun” at work.   In 2003, Anthony established the “Random Acts of Kindness” Program.  This program encourages employees to perform random acts of kindness to both strangers and fellow co-workers on a daily basis.  The Random Acts of Kindness Program has been extremely successful.

In 2003, one year after breast cancer took the life of his mom, Anthony co-founded the establishment of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non profit breast cancer foundation committed to increasing awareness of early breast cancer detection and providing help and comfort to breast cancer patients throughout the local community.  The Foundation’s solemn promise is that 100% of the net proceeds of the Foundation will remain in our local community to aid breast health organizations in bringing programs that would not otherwise receive federal funding to fruition. 

Larry Gemma –  Helping his father in their family owned and operated plumbing business, Larry assisted his Dad on the weekends and during school vacations from a very young age.    

Upon graduation from high school, Larry attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated in 1982 with his B.S. in Management.  He also received his commission from the United States Army.  In 1985, Larry was named President of Dr. Drain, a division of Gem Plumbing & Heating. 

In 1998, Larry was appointed to the position of Vice President of Operations and began to focus his energies in the areas of organizational and operational development.  He worked to integrate new departments and assisted in the development an extensive leadership development training series to help place existing management teams in positions that would enable continued growth.  Larry also serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and has developed and implemented a state of the art inventory control system, an innovative fleet management program, and an extensive tool management system.  Larry also manages the Gem Institute for Performance Excellence, and the Gem Apprenticeship Program. 

In 2003, one year after breast cancer took the life of his mom, Larry assisted with the establishment of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non profit breast cancer foundation committed to increasing awareness of early breast cancer detection and providing help and comfort to breast cancer patients throughout the local community.  The Foundation’s solemn promise is that 100% of the net proceeds of the Foundation will remain in our local community to aid breast health organizations in bringing programs that would not otherwise receive federal funding to fruition.  Larry remains an active member of the Board of Directors of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

Lawrence (Larry) A. Girouard -  Lawrence A. Girouard is the President of The Business Avionix Company, a business consulting company that focuses on the development of strategic plans, sales and marketing programs, and assisting companies in changing the way they do business in order to make them more competitive in their selected markets.

Mr. Girouard also currently serves as the Executive Director of the Gem Institute For Performance Excellence, a program that was developed to help educate businesses on the powerful role that business systems and the use of measurements can play in helping a company grow.  Gem Plumbing is a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award candidate. The Institute presents a “living laboratory” of a successful proactive business culture and has received rave reviews from program participants.

Larry has over 25 years of experience in engineering, sales/marketing, and senior management positions with a proven track record for results over a broad range of manufacturing and manufacturing support disciplines from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. 

Larry is a strong believer in the importance of establishing a culture within the corporate structure, which transcends the barriers of communication that often exist between organizational functions. This remains one of the keys to a strong market penetration strategy for any corporate product offering.

Larry worked as the Director/President  NASA TT Center (1993-1995),  RIMES (1995-1997), VP-Sales/Marketing (Non-Start-ups)  Keene (1972-1982) Cookson (1997-2000),  AIC (2000-2003) and as VP-Sales/Marketing (Start-ups)  Spectrum (1982-1986), Quadrax (1986-1992).

Larry received his MBA in Marketing from the University of Delaware, and his BSME from the University of Rhode Island.  He is currently serving as Board Member for SBANE and is an accomplished public speaker.

Rebecca Gamage – Rebecca joined Gem Plumbing in 2002 and is currently serving as the Director of Marketing and Executive Assistant to Anthony Gemma.  She is a 1984 graduate of the Ocean State Business Academy.

Rebecca is extensively trained in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program for Performance Excellence and has a wealth of knowledge in Baldrige quality concepts.   She has written three Baldrige National Quality Program Applications and is currently studying for her Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Certification.   Rebecca also serves as Director of Performance Excellence for Gem and develops all training materials and manuals. 

For 16 years, Rebecca worked in the retail industry and served in positions ranging from marketing and human resources, to store management and corporate trainer.

Rebecca served as the Director of Human Resources at Gem Plumbing & Heating beginning in 2002 and was responsible for the development and implementation of the HR Department in its entirety.  In 2004, Rebecca was promoted to the Director of Marketing and currently remains in that position.  She is responsible for the development and implementation of all marketing promotions, including all media buying, and special event planning. 

For over 17 years, Rebecca has dedicated much of her time to the fight against breast cancer.  She is the past Founder/President of the Rhode Island Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.  In 2004, Rebecca co-founded the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and currently serves as the Executive Director.