Testimonials
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the construction services company faced unprecedented obstacles. PeoplesBank stepped in with crucial support and guidance to help it overcome those problems and continue to grow.
Acquiring White Rose Interiors and becoming president of a construction company was an unexpected career change for Geoffrey Fix. An electrical engineer by training, his background included technical sales, marketing, and project management but he had no specific experience in construction or firsthand knowledge of the type of work WRI does.
But after years of working for other companies, Fix was invited to be part of a partnership with Gordon Companies, a local York business. Gordon was interested in diversifying their portfolio and Wade Atkinson, one of the partners with Gordon, invited Fix to be part of their vision to expand. The partnership was not specifically looking in the Construction market, but came upon White Rose Interiors, an established York-based construction services firm in business since 1994. Fix’s inclination toward client relationships and business development made him the perfect fit for leading the company’s growth.
When the partnership purchased the company in 2015 and he came aboard as president and operating partner, the company had fewer than 20 employees and one computer. The company had great relationships and reputation but needed updating. Fix brought the company into the digital age and, by expanding its range of services, making a commitment to client satisfaction, and hiring a talented team, he has led White Rose Interiors (WRI) to steady growth with a workforce that now numbers 55.
Building a strong team
Fix attributes White Rose Interiors’ remarkable growth over eight years to our focus on hiring exceptional talent.
“Our success lies in the ability to bring in great people and provide them with opportunities for growth,” he says.
By fostering a positive work environment and empowering employees, the company has cultivated a team that is dedicated and enthusiastic about its work, whether installing drywall, painting, or laying a floor.
White Rose Interiors has become a major player in the commercial, industrial, and residential construction field, often working with larger general contractors to install specialty interior finishes in commercial spaces. While its roots remain firmly planted in York, it has expanded operations with the opening of a second office, in Myerstown, Lebanon County, in 2021.
“Our culture is very service-oriented, very responsive,” Fix says. “I think any of our clients would agree with that. They know they can call us and we’re going to do whatever we can to help them.”
A bank in time of need
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, White Rose Interiors faced uncertainty and challenges, particularly in accessing federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. As Fix and his partners desperately tried to navigate the PPP system, the company’s previous bank became unresponsive.
PeoplesBank, connected with Gordon Companies at just the right time and extended a helping hand to quickly secure approval for White Rose Interiors to receive PPP funds.
“We have a lot of gratitude to PeoplesBank and are very thankful for them being there during that challenging time,” Fix says.
The bank’s quick response prompted Gordon Companies and WRI to migrate all accounts to PeoplesBank and to open a line of credit. The bank’s support not only helped White Rose Interiors navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic but instilled in it the financial confidence necessary for the company to move forward. With the help of PeoplesBank, Fix hopes to continue to grow the company through acquisitions and organically.
As White Rose Interiors looks to the future, Fix remains committed to delivering outstanding service and expanding the company’s reach while maintaining its strong roots in York.
“It is fun to see the integration, change in the way the company looks and our growth in capability. We strive to add that extra value to our clients,” Fix says of discovering new paths to company growth. “Diversity is our strength.”