In September 2002, I accepted the role of Purchasing Manager at PCS. At the time, I often described the company as a “small, family-owned business.” Our Maryland office was around 5,000 square feet, with a fleet consisting of just two box trucks, a few pickups, and a trusty Ford Taurus. The Pennsylvania Division was cramped into a small 19th Street office with a similar fleet—yes, including another Ford Taurus, which today’s younger generation probably wouldn’t even recognize.
At the same time, “The Mill” in Covington, VA, was keeping a steady crew of three or four people busy, while our Wilmington, NC office was a staple at power companies and industrial facilities throughout the Carolinas. TST was in its prime, preparing for a cross-country trip to North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA.
My first year at PCS was incredibly exciting. We were small enough that I could wear multiple hats and gain insight into nearly every aspect of the business. It all started with six months of warehouse transfers—something my predecessor hadn’t handled in almost a year (thanks for the heads-up, Alex!). I found myself driving box trucks around the Beltway without a DOT physical and completely unaware that I should have been stopping at weigh stations.
I’ll never forget being held at gunpoint on I-495 during the Beltway sniper scare, while making deliveries to the Pentagon and CIA back when everyone thought the sniper was driving a white box truck. Not long after, I was flying cross-country to help set up rentals for TST in San Diego, enjoying happy hour at Sunset Cliffs, and sipping Coronas by 4 PM.
On weekends, I learned the ropes of asbestos removal at Northrop Grumman, using Infrared Machines that allowed us to execute the work without a containment, though it was painfully slow, removing one tile at a time. That first year went by quickly—it was fast-paced, fun, and easy to stay on top of things when the company had fewer than 100 people.
Fast-forward two decades, and I’ve held or spent time in nearly every role at PCS. Family members and friends I watched grow up and mentored through their middle school years in my personal life, have been recruited to PCS, and many now hold management positions within the company.
Our Maryland and Pennsylvania offices now span over 30,000 square feet each, and our fleet has expanded from a handful of vehicles to over 100. While the Wilmington and Covington offices have since closed, we’ve opened a new Virginia office in their place.
Today, PCS employs more than 300 people and supports thousands of family members. While growth inevitably brings challenges when managing hundreds of active jobs across seven states and millions of dollars at stake, it also brings pride and becomes rewarding for those dedicated to achieving our success.
Turning 46 this year made me realize I’ve spent half my life at PCS. In today’s world, that kind of longevity with one company is rare. My grandfather spent over 40 years at Westinghouse, my dad 40+ with Anne Arundel County Schools, and my mom the same with BB&T Bank. It seems I’m following in their footsteps.
As I reflect on PCS’s growth over the last 25 years—expanding more than fivefold since 2002—I think about our competitors who’ve either sold, downsized, or closed their doors. PCS, however, remains under the same ownership and is managed by many of the same people. That’s because of one thing: our people.
Most of our employees began their careers here and will likely retire here. That kind of loyalty and dedication is rare and invaluable. As the company continues to evolve, I sometimes wonder who will fill everyone’s shoes in another 25 years. But then, I remember what makes PCS unique: it’s a family business. Whether through ownership, management, or the close-knit relationships built over decades, we truly look out for one another. That’s what will carry PCS into the next generation. As the older generation retires, the younger generation will be ready to step up and face new challenges.
With 2026 just around the corner, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Take time to enjoy your family and friends—it goes by fast. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next chapter at PCS.
When the PA Division was first established, both Phil and Gary were among the earliest team members who helped lay its foundation. Their decades of hands-on experience and commitment to operational excellence have played a key role in shaping the division’s success story.
Phil Matz – Elevated to Executive Manager of Operations, PA Division
Gary Gipe – Elevated to Manager of Operations, PA Division
Together, they will continue leading the operations side of our Pennsylvania Division, ensuring that every project runs smoothly, efficiently, and profitably.
We want to take this opportunity not just to celebrate Jose Reyes’ 15 years with PCS, but to recognize the exceptional work he continues to do every single day. Jose may not be the youngest on the crew, but his energy is truly unmatched — something our clients notice and praise constantly. He’s been part of the PCS family since 2010, and we recently spoke with him about his experience and the moments that have meant the most to him throughout his time here.
Jose shared that a strong sense of responsibility is what drives him each day. He doesn’t like leaving work unfinished to move on to something else, and he prefers to stay focused and busy. Over the years, he says he has learned a lot, especially the importance of communicating well with everyone on the team.
Outside of work, Jose says there is always something to do at home, and on Sundays, he makes time to visit his mother, which is very important to him. When asked what advice he would offer to someone just starting out in this type of work, Jose shared:
“I have 15 years with PCS. If I can do it, you can too. Keep going.”
We recently receive excellent client feedback about Jose’s work (some of which is included on the previous page). Even without that, his dedication and steady work ethic are clear to anyone who has worked alongside him. We are grateful for your continued commitment, Jose. Thank you for everything you bring to the PCS team.
Our team is hard at work at the MRPI Ryder Warehouse in Bainbridge (Port Deposit, MD), completing a detailed package of selective demolition to prepare the building for its upcoming renovation. This phase focuses on opening up the structure and creating the pathways needed for new systems, updated layouts, and a future storefront installation.
Inside the building, PCS is removing approximately 650 square feet of slab-on-grade to allow for new bathrooms. The existing office area is being fully cleared out — including interior walls, flooring, ceilings, and light fixtures — so the space can be rebuilt to support the client’s new configuration.
On the exterior, our team is performing precision wall sawing and core drilling on the 12” tilt-up panels. This work includes cutting wall openings: two large cuts for new storefront systems (approx. 13’ x 10’ and 15’ x 10’). We’re also removing an existing exterior door and frame as part of the layout update.
This phase sets the foundation for everything that comes next. With selective demolition, strategic concrete removals, and precise structural openings, PCS is helping prepare the warehouse for a clean transition into construction — and for the future improvements that will take shape in the next stage of the project.
The Broad Street Market has been a cornerstone of Harrisburg for more than a century — a place where the community gathered, shared meals, and built memories. When a devastating fire swept through the brick building a few years ago, it left behind not just physical damage, but a deep sense of loss for the neighborhood. Today, PCS is proud to play a role in helping this historic market take its next steps toward renewal.
Working directly for the City of Harrisburg, our team is carefully dismantling what remains inside the brick structure. We are removing the last of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components, clearing out damaged roofing and roof structure, and taking down the existing windows, doors, frames, gutters, fans, and the small wood mezzanine. One of the most significant tasks is the removal of a large section of the concrete slab, which will allow for a brand-new slab to be poured — a slab PCS will later polish as part of the building’s transformation.
Much of this work requires precise overhead access, and our crew is utilizing both boom lifts and scissor lifts to safely reach the piping, conduits, framing, exterior fascia, and gutters. Every piece removed brings the structure one step closer to being safe, stable, and ready for restoration.
This project is more than demolition — it’s about preparing the ground for a community space that means so much to so many. PCS is grateful to contribute to the revitalization of a landmark that has served generations, and we look forward to seeing the Broad Street Market come back stronger than ever.
Our team is currently on site at the Dietz & Watson facility in Baltimore, completing a carefully planned phase of selective interior demolition to help prepare the building for a major upcoming expansion. This early work is all about opening up the space, clearing outdated structures, and setting the stage for the next chapter of the renovation.
Over the past weeks, our crews have been removing sections of slab, interior walls, curbs, bollards, insulated metal panels, ceilings, and equipment across multiple phases of the project. Much of this work is being done during off-hours to minimize disruption to ongoing operations — a testament to the coordination and professionalism of the PCS team.
While the technical pieces range from new wall openings to the removal of rooftop units, the heart of this project lies in precision. Every cut, every removal, every cleared area brings the facility one step closer to its expanded footprint.
This phase may be behind the scenes, but it’s foundational. By clearing the way now, our team ensures that the next stage of construction can move forward smoothly and safely — and we’re proud to play a key role in helping Dietz & Watson continue to grow right here in Baltimore.
