About us

Your trusted partner for real-world educational facilities solutions

Our team

Results-oriented, hands-on executives and experts who give your facilities our full attention

history

For decades, we’ve been building our reputation for best-in-class facilities programs

values and vision

Our values and vision are the foundation of our partnership with you

associations

Collaboration and continuous learning help us maintain our rigorous standards

our team

The HES team has decades of experience in the facilities management industry, and we firmly believe that well-maintained schools, grounds, and facilities help support students, retain talented staff, and build a reputation of excellence within the community.

Leadership Operations Solutions

Our Leadership team is with you every step of the way, leveraging more than a century of combined facilities experience. With a diverse range of business backgrounds and educational credentials, we’re ready to build a long-term partnership with you.

Learn more about the members of our Leadership team.

MEET THE TEAM

To carry out our mission of delivering unmatched facilities management services, our operations team is staffed with qualified, experienced facilities professionals, for unmatched service and support.

Find out more about our Operations team.

meet the team

The HES Solutions team offers decades of experience in facilities management. Their extensive background in this industry allows them to partner closely with you to develop customized, cost-efficient educational facilities programs.

Learn more about our highly-qualified Solutions team.

meet the team

Our story

1976

Buddy Helton, founding chairman of HES Facilities, begins providing custodial services to the Knoxville, Tennessee, K-12 school system.

1986

Buddy Helton and Charlie Spencer begin working together for the first time. It is the start of a dynamic, decades-long business relationship.

1997

Brothers Buddy and David Helton launch Southern Building Service and begin a commercial cleaning service with a focus on K-12 education clients. 

2000

Charlie Spencer joins the SBS team as a partner, and they land their first K-12 client in Dickson County, Tennessee.

2004

From the growing base of K-12 education clients at SBS, GCA Education Services is formed. This is the beginning of a nationwide leader in educational facility services and the assembly of much of today’s HES leadership team.

2017

SMS Facility Services is acquired by Adam Miles, Dean Helton, and Josh Helton. Over the course of three years, they energize the business and grow the SMS footprint to 11 school districts, increasing its reach several times over.

2020

HES Facilities Management is launched, with Buddy Helton and Charlie Spencer at the helm. Based in Knoxville, the collective leadership team brings more than a century of expertise to the organization.

2020

HES acquires SMS Facility Services, creating a powerhouse, premier facilities management provider for educational institutions.

2020

In that same year, HES also acquires WFF, long-standing educational facilities management service based out of Saint Louis, MO, and run by president Jonathan Campbell. 

2023

HES acquires ABBCO Service Corporation, a well-established custodial service business based out of St. Louis, run by third generation owner John Pieske. Because both companies have a focus on education clients and have similar values, this is an excellent fit.

OUR CLIENTS

We provide facilities management services exclusively related to education.

K-12 school districts

charter schools

colleges

universities

private schools

technical schools

community colleges

Values & vision

Our values and vision form the lasting foundation of our partnership with you.

Our vision is to provide the educational institutions we serve with clean, attractive, safe learning environments that create tangible, long-term benefits for our clients, employees, and investors.

To achieve this, we:

  • Serve customers in such a way as to earn their ongoing respect, trust, and confidence
  • Treat customers, suppliers, peers, and employees with integrity and fairness
  • As good corporate citizens, contribute to the social and economic well-being of each community in which we operate
  • Aspire to be the most respected company in our industry
  • Engage all employees to establish best practices and innovation

testimonials

Stronger partnerships equal better results.

“Dramatically improved sparkle”

“We enjoy having a more efficient and better trained staff.”

“HES went above and beyond.”

“They have always been eager to work with us to satisfy our needs.”

“The White House Advance Team and Secret Service were complimentary about the condition and cleanliness of the facilities.”

“HES has consistently averaged over 90% success rate here.”

“HES was responsive and proactive, and the transition went very smooth.”

“HES is a partner who will do what they promise and stand behind their work.”

associations

We’re proud members of these associations, which represent the highest quality, service, and commitment in educational facilities.

The leadership and continuous learning offered by these organizations help us to maintain our rigorous professional standards.

APPA – LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ISSA – INTERNATIONAL SANITARY SUPPLY ASSOCIATION
asca – Accredited snow contractors association 
GBAC – GLOBAL BIORISK ADVISORY COUNCIL
US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
NACUBO – NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY BUSINESS OFFICERS
ABACC – ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATORS OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES
CACUBO – CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY BUSINESS OFFICERS
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