THE REASON FOR THE SEARCH

Liberty Service Partners retained Raw Selection to identify a General Manager for Bob Garrett Services, its residential home services business in Roanoke, Virginia. The business was performing below expectations despite strong market demand, an established brand, and increasing revenue. The search focused on finding a hands-on operational leader capable of stabilising the branch, improving financial performance, and building a culture of accountability while positioning the business for long-term growth.

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THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

Liberty Service Partners

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THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Bob Garrett Services is a residential home services business specialising in backup power solutions, HVAC, and electrical services. The company operates exclusively within the residential market and forms part of Liberty Service Partners' rapidly expanding platform of 17 brands across 26 branches in 11 states.

The Roanoke branch generates approximately $8 million in annual revenue, with around 70% derived from backup power and generator installations and 30% from HVAC services. Backed by Liberty Service Partners' acquisition-led growth strategy, the business has significant opportunities to improve profitability while expanding its HVAC division into a larger proportion of overall revenue.

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THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

• Proven General Manager or senior operational leader within residential home services

• Strong HVAC, generator, electrical, or broader residential services experience

• Demonstrated success leading operational turnarounds

• Strong commercial and sales leadership capabilities

• Experience managing P&L performance and EBITDA improvement

• Inventory management and operational controls

• Understanding of accrual-based accounting and financial reporting

• KPI-driven management style

• Hands-on field leadership approach

• Experience managing service, installation, sales, dispatch, customer service, and administration

• Private equity-backed business experience preferred

• Strong people leadership with the ability to build accountability and make difficult personnel decisions

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CHALLENGES

The business had strong market fundamentals but lacked operational discipline. Revenue had increased by approximately $500,000, yet profitability continued to underperform due to weak operational execution.

The successful General Manager needed to quickly establish accountability across the branch while improving communication, inventory management, financial controls, and labour efficiency. Leadership wanted someone prepared to take immediate action rather than spending months assessing the business.

Another significant challenge was improving operational performance without relying on additional lead generation. The branch already benefited from strong customer demand and newly established Home Depot and Lowe's partnerships, making execution, conversion, and operational excellence the primary priorities.

Longer term, the successful candidate would also be responsible for growing the HVAC division, increasing recurring service revenue, and helping the branch achieve EBITDA performance in line with Liberty Service Partners' wider platform expectations.

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THOUGHTS ON THE CANDIDATE

The successful candidate demonstrated the operational intensity, commercial mindset, and leadership style required to stabilise a residential home services business within a private equity-backed environment.

They possessed extensive experience leading branch operations, managing both field and office teams, and driving measurable improvements across sales, operations, inventory management, financial performance, and customer service. Their ability to quickly assess business performance, implement structure, and create accountability aligned closely with Liberty Service Partners' requirement for immediate operational impact rather than passive observation.

Their hands-on leadership approach, combined with strong financial acumen and experience managing complex service organisations, positioned them well to unlock the branch's significant growth potential while improving EBITDA performance.

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THOUGHTS FROM THE SUCCESFUL APPOINTEE

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THOUGHTS FROM LIBERTY SERVICE PARTNERS

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GET IN TOUCH

To secure exceptional executive talent for your portfolio companies, please reach out to Kaj Coffey, Senior Associate at Raw Selection.

kaj.coffey@raw-selection.com