Southern Utilities Company, Inc. was founded by Stephen Ambrose Gorman in 1932. The company was originally a distributor of Bell & Gossett products with a territory from the Mason Dixon Line to the Florida Keys.
Stephen was a graduate of Catholic University of America with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to join the U.S. Naval Reserve Flying Corps and was a member of the second graduating class at Pensacola, Florida.
After WWI Stephen returned to his native Washington, DC and became a pioneer in the HVAC industry. The business continued to grow under his guidance until his untimely death in April of 1935. At this time his wife Mary took over the leadership role. For the next twelve years, Mary continued to run the business from her home with the help of one employee and her children. Mary kept product stocked in her basement and received deliveries at the back door. Washington Gas was known to send customers looking to buy pumps to Mary's door, as she was now a widow running a business and supporting her four children.
In 1947, Mary's eldest son, Stephen Francis joined the company full time. The business continued to expand, and in 1958 the DC location was relocated from Mary and Stephen's home on 39th St NW to it's current location on 9th St NW where Stepen Francis took over duties as President and CEO.
Upon completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Mary’s youngest son, Joseph James, also joined the company full time. Joseph served as President from 2000 until he retired on March 31, 2005 after 48 years of service.
In 1969, Southern Utilities opened a second location on Ripley Street in Silver Spring, MD. There, they continued to grow their business and were able to expand their inventory becoming one of the most respected names in the industry.
In 2005 the company made the successful transition of the Maryland location from Silver Spring to Gaithersburg. Now in it's fourth generation, Southern Utilities Co. Inc. looks forward to serving the future needs of the HVAC industry.
Stephen Ambrose Gorman
Mary Gorman's House on 39th Street
Mary Gorman - 1985