About us

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

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

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

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.

Jonathan Campbell is named president of WFF. His vision and energy solidify WFF’s standing as a long-term, mission-driven facilities management partner.

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.

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.

As the only surviving founder of WFF, Mr. Fiala begins to seek out new opportunities for the organization.

With an outstanding industry reputation, a track record of developing and retaining talent, and an exclusive focus on education, HES Facilities Management was the ideal fit.

HES Facilities Management acquires both SMS and WFF in a single year, to create a powerhouse, premier facilities management provider for educational institutions.