Geneva Pipeline: An MBE Infrastructure Company with a Regional Approach
A2 Services LLC (dba Geneva Pipeline) literally digs in when it comes to laying out its regional approach to growth. The company, which is the largest certified Minority Business Enterprise of its kind and is based in Northeast Ohio, provides underground construction, maintenance and rehabilitation services to utilities, developers, and the municipal and industrial infrastructure markets.
Geneva Pipeline specializes in the installation and repair of underground infrastructure in the areas of natural gas, electricity, water, and telecommunications. Additionally, the company provides environmental management, a much-needed and widely recognized area essential to its growth and its delivery of turnkey solutions.
Headquartered in Geneva in Ashtabula County, with facilities in Cleveland and the Akron area, Geneva Pipeline serves a 4-state area (OH, PA, NY and IN) with most of its business in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The recently opened Akron facility supports the company's mid-state expansion plans as well as its new pipeline repair and replacement contracting opportunities with Dominion East Ohio Gas.
In March 2008, A2 Services LLC purchased Geneva Pipeline, which had a 50-year history as an independent family-owned business and a sterling safety record. Llevelyn Rhone leads the company as Chief Executive Officer and President. Supporting Mr. Rhone is a management team with over 100 years of collective industry experience.
"Our workforce is also highly experienced," says Mr. Rhone. "We have 21 field crews and all are operator-qualified and belong to labor unions. Our team's commitment to safety and quality positions us well for growth and geographical expansion."
MWV Pinnacle Capital Fund, L.P., a Cleveland-based, private equity fund created to invest in minority-owned and managed businesses, and National City Bank (now a part of PNC Financial) provided financing for the acquisition. Eric Von Hendrix and June Taylor lead MWV Pinnacle.
"MWV Pinnacle was created to grow minority capitalists like Llevelyn and companies like Geneva Pipeline," says A. Malachi Mixon III, chairman and chief executive officer of Invacare Corporation, and the founding investor of MWV Pinnacle. "In turn, Geneva Pipeline expands and strengthens the fund's portfolio."
Christopher M. Connor, CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company and a long-time supporter of the fund as well as past co-chair of The Commission for Partnership and Inclusion, believes Llevelyn Rhone, formerly of Chicago, and who now resides in Northeast Ohio, exemplifies the advantages of "brain gain" to Northeast Ohio.
Mr. Rhone has a mechanical engineering degree from Duke University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has held a mix of consulting, operations and executive management roles for organizations including McDonald's, Accenture, Baxter, Xerox, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"When we support economic inclusion and attract experienced leaders such as Llevelyn, our region is strengthened," says Mr. Connor.
Since being acquired by Mr. Rhone, Geneva Pipeline has increased its work force over 15%, is creating its first internship program, has become a member of The Minority Business Accelerator 2.5+ Program, and is in active discussions with a number of businesses and governmental agencies responsible for the region's infrastructure.
Recent projects such as installing 2,140 feet of water main and fire hydrant assemblies at the GaREAT Sports Complex (a 97-acre new-build sports and recreation facility in Harpersfield Township) underscore the company's infrastructure construction capabilities.
In March 2008, Geneva Pipeline completed its largest project to date as contractor for Dominion East Ohio. This involved relocating and installing over 8,000-feet of natural gas pipeline along U.S. Route 20 in Ashtabula. The project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.
"My educational background and professional experience have come together here at Geneva," says Mr. Rhone. "This business is going to be a regional player in a much-needed, growing industrial cluster where I can apply my engineering and operational skills while expanding economic inclusion and creating well-paying jobs. For me, it's all in the pipeline."