THE REASON FOR THE SEARCH

Clarion Home Services Group required a long-term General Manager to replace an underperforming leader who lacked accountability, commercial rigor, and the operational depth needed to run a $38M flagship branch. Early-year performance was significantly off target, with revenue behind budget by $800K in the first two months and EBITDA more than $1M below plan. The business needed a proven operator capable of rebuilding discipline, improving conversion metrics, and leading an experienced team through a performance reset.

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THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

LightBay Capital
A US-based investment firm specializing in middle-market services businesses, supporting management teams with capital, operational guidance, and strategic growth resources. LightBay partnered with Clarion in 2021 and is executing a scalable, multi-brand home services strategy across the Midwest and Central U.S.

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THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Clarion Home Services Group operates a $200M+ residential services platform delivering HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and generator services across six states. The Omaha-based Burton branch—founded in 1989—has earned "Best of Omaha" for more than 22 years and is the largest and most visible operation in the platform. With a well-established customer base, strong brand recognition, and a high-caliber management team, the branch represents a cornerstone location for the group’s growth strategy.

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THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

• Proven GM or senior operator with residential HVAC/Plumbing/Electrical experience

• Strong P&L ownership at $20M–$40M scale

• Demonstrated record of lifting conversion rates and growing ticket sizes

• Experience leading cultural transformation and developing teams

• KPI-driven leadership with strong commercial instincts

• Ability to lead seasoned teams and implement accountability

• Background in PE-backed or high-performance service environments

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THOUGHTS ON THE CANDIDATE

Austin is an absolute A-player and the ideal fit for Clarion’s flagship Omaha branch. His background mirrors the challenges and opportunities at Burton with remarkable precision:

• 10+ years leading residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical & drain operations

• Direct P&L ownership of $21M–$25M businesses with 80+ employees

• Rebuilt multiple underperforming cultures and upgraded leadership teams

• Improved HVAC conversion rates, increased ticket sizes, and fixed generator sales processes

• Grew a branch from $8M → $12M with record profitability

• Strong KPI discipline—daily revenue goals, margin management, dispatch optimization

• Servant leader: visible, hands-on, culturally attuned, and team-centric

Additionally, Austin is a natural personal fit for Omaha, with close family already living in the area—greatly strengthening relocation commitment and long-term tenure.

This is one of the strongest GM–company matches we have made, and I am extremely bullish on Austin’s ability to restore performance quickly and elevate this flagship branch to new levels of excellence.

Mohammed Vali, Principal, Raw Selection