About Our President and Owner
Barnett Gershen is the owner/CEO of Gershen Consulting, LLC and specializes in business advisory services.
Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Mr. Gershen gained invaluable experience as Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Associated Business Services (ABS), a $120-million service firm that consistently ranked in the top 5% of like companies in the US and achieved margins higher than industry standards.
Mr. Gershen is qualified by multiple academic degrees and 30 years experience in executive management roles. He is an innovative leader, with appreciation for strategic alliances, particularly in applying technological advances to enhance and expand market presence. He was also responsible for generating a client list of domestic/international Fortune 500 companies. He implemented unique growth strategies that enabled successful transition from a local business to a national company within a highly competitive, tight-margin business. Simultaneous with the sale of ABS, this national service company became part of a $230-million structure with 13,000 employees nationwide - the 9th largest company in the field.
He is the son of Margie Abrams, who began Associated Building Services (formerly XGI Services) in 1945. As a young widow with three small children, her sheer determination provided the basics for a very small janitorial service. Her integrity was her calling card. She built the business up to annual revenues of $10k, at which time Barnett stepped up to the helm.
As President in 1975, Barnett (Barney to his friends) implemented growth procedures that would make The ABS Companies one of the largest, most profitable maintenance companies in the U.S.
When the company sold in 2004, it employed over 13,000 employees across the nation with revenues of $230 million.
Barnett is now lending his hard-earned experience to friends and associates. He believes that this is his opportunity to pass on what contributed to his success. He is endeavoring to build the same hopes and dreams in a new generation of business owners.
CAREER OVERVIEW
PRESIDENT/OWNER-Gershen Consulting L.L.C., Houston, Texas - 2005 to Present – Privately owned organization whose mission is to apply Mr. Gerhsen’s experience to profitably provide the best consulting, mentoring, advisory, and investing services for CEOs in the building services industry – and have fun doing it!
VP ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT-Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc., - 2005 - Initiated an overall organizational restructure and created infrastructure positioned for growth and profitability.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - The ABS Companies, Houston, Texas - 1978 to 2004 - Began as laborer in 1955, moved up through the ranks, gaining unique and irreplaceable experience in every role from janitor all the way to management, and eventually CEO. As CEO, successfully grew the company to be one of the premier janitorial services providers in the country, with over 12,000 employees and $230 million in sales.
ADJUTANT GENERAL - Captain U.S. Army, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana - 1971 to 1978 - Retired with honorable discharge.
EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts - 1999 to 2000
Successfully completed Odyssey program, School for the Second Half of Life
Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts - 1992 to 1994
Three-year Owner, President and Manager (OPM) program
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE - Finance Concentration - 1969 to 1971
The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Thesis: "Going Public for Small Corporations: A Service Company Examined"
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE - 1965 to 1969
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Distinguished Graduate ranked No.4 in class; Dean's List four years
Distinguished Military Graduate; Corps of Cadets four years
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Building Services Contractors Association International (BSCAI)
• Board and committee member for organization with membership of 4000; delivered presentations on variety of business topics to groups of 50 to 500 at international conferences
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• Conducted presentations for large groups of international members
Harvard Business School Student Association
• Board of Directors, Houston
National Association of Corporate Directors
International Facilities Managers Association (IFMA)
• Delivered presentations to 50 to 500 international members
Institute of Real Estate Managers (IREM)
Houston Chamber of Commerce
Better Business Bureau
Forum Club of Houston
PERSONAL HONORS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Texas A & M University, Outstanding alumni in the Mays Business School, 2004
3rd Place, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Houston, Texas – 2002
Holocaust Museum of Houston – Board of Directors, founding member
Texas A & M University – Outstanding Alumni, 2004
YMCA - Lyla Mae Padon Character Award, 2001
YMCA - Hero of the Year, 2002
BSCAI – 2015 Presidents Award
BSCAI – 2014 Walter L Cook Award for Distinguished Service
Crime Stoppers – Founding member
Wiesenthal Center Monthly Sustainer
“We didn't conquer the mountain, we conquered us.” -Sir Edmund Hillary
Mission Statement
We guide and assist C-Level Executives and their Management Teams to quickly and efficiently reach the next level of success... And we have fun while we do it!
Increasing Your Top Line
Increasing Your Bottom Line
Decreasing Your Risk of Doing Business,
And We'll Make You Look Good While We're Doing It