Although there have been many challenges this past year, there have also been many positive things to celebrate. Our Team continues to be dedicated to our Vendors and Trades who continue to help us build successful projects for our Clients and most importantly, our Clients who continue to bless us with their business, confidence and trust.
Russell & I are hopeful 2021 will be brighter and bring us all good news! We wish you and your families blessings of good health, peace and prosperity.
Check out our annual Christmas card video which includes highlights of our Team from 2020!
Watch more videos featuring on our Team by visiting our YouTube channel!
NOTE SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS – OFFICE & DESIGN STUDIO
My first Pelotonia was 11 years ago and it’s been, without a doubt, the BEST 2 days of my year, every year. It is the most enthusiastic, positive experience that I have ever been part of. My brother-in-law, Chip Greenlee, encouraged me to join him and for several years we both rode with Stephanie Spielman’s Team of Hope Peloton. Chip and his wife, Sara, were great friends of Stephanie and her husband, Chris. The loss of such a strong-willed cancer survivor and friend encouraged Chip to do his part and he encouraged me to do the same.
Little did we know back then the impact of Chip’s ask, because today he’s fighting terminal Glioblastoma brain cancer and in the last 11 years, I have had many of my friends (Tim, Adam, Sheila, Rick, just to name a few), as well as my mom, die from cancer. Betty, my mom, lost her battle with Leukemia in 2013 and that is when I kicked up my game to begin riding the 2-day 180-200 mile event. I wanted to show her that I could do more by grinding through a second day even though I’m tired and don’t want to get back on that little bike seat.
2012 – George with Chip at the Gambier finishGeorge with his mom
We all have optimism and hope to finding better treatments and ultimately a cure! A lot of that enthusiasm is due to the leadership efforts and hard work of the Pelotonia staff but also so many more – the dedication of doctors, researchers, interns, volunteers, and those that grind out 25-200 miles every August for the journey to One Goal – kicking cancer’s ass.
Cancer survivors & their family members line the routes each year to thank and encourage riders
I get goosebumps thinking of the supporters, both financially and spiritually. I will see survivors in the country with masks on, no hair in wheelchairs at the end of their driveway ringing a cowbell to encourage each rider to “keep on pedaling”, or every year the guy holding his sign “thanks for saving my wife”.
Come on folks, I can’t make this stuff up, it fuels your legs and you keep on pedaling. Join me in this amazing positivity! There are too many neighbors, co-workers, friends, classmates and even beloved family members (Todd, Jeff, Kathleen, Chip, just to name a few) fighting their own personal journey with cancer. I am so fortunate and blessed to be healthy and I am driven to make a difference. Will you join me? I hope so!
P.S. In 2020, I made the decision to start my own Peloton, Team Cleary Cyclers! Click here to join me on Team Cleary Cyclers or find out how you can help support Pelotonia’s mission.
One Goal – End Cancer! George B. Cleary
2019 – George & Doug Ulman – President & CEO Pelotonia2016 – George with his sister Kathleen, cancer survivor!2015 – George & his buddy Adam, who lost his battle with lung cancer earlier this year.2019 – Geroge with his teammates on the Hamilton Parker Peloton
Since establishing his company in 1994, George Cleary, CR, has continued living his passion of connecting with people. By building relationships in the community, he’s built a remodeling company focused helping people and surrounded himself with a Team of professionals that share his passions.
At The Cleary Company, our Team is focused on more than just creating beautiful functional design-build remodeling projects for our Clients. We feel finding connections and building relationships with our Clients is just as important.
In February 2020 George and his Team won a BizX America award for Best Company Culture from ActionCOACH!
George Cleary, CR, Owner & Chief Executive Officer – Leonor Carrasco, Production Manager – Jennifer Wood, Office Manager – Aaron Enfinger, CR, Chief Operations Officer
After 17 years as an interior woodworker, mostly in high-end custom homes, Aaron was ready to hang up his tool belt and move into a management role. In 2014, George was looking to hire The Cleary Company’s first true Production Manager and Aaron, with his extensive experience in carpentry, residential construction and remodeling, was a natural fit! After 3 years in that role, he was making such a huge impact on our growth it was clear he needed a promotion to General Manager and in 2020 promoted again to Chief Operations Officer. Aaron is a mastermind with numbers, charts and forecasting. He’s implemented structure, policies and procedures into our business that have made The Cleary Company a stronger Remodel Design Build firm.
After earning his Certified Remodeler (CR) accreditation thru the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Aaron has continued to be active in the local chapter as well as serving on several committees at the national level.
Below are his reflections on the last 5 years with Our Team.
What quality has been the most important to ensuring success for The Cleary Company over the last 5 years?
Relationships. George’s vision to impact the quality of life for our clients and their families. In order to accomplish this you must find the best people you can to work with!
How has your job and its expectations changed over the years?
I have gone from being involved in every project from a production planning standpoint to making sure that our people and systems are serving us well.
What innovations have been made in the remodeling field?
Design materials have gotten high tech and most tools have gone cordless.
What design elements would you love to see come back?
Lots of wood and moldings – coffered ceilings, wainscot, detailed crown. I’m a woodworker at heart so I appreciate the craftsmanship it takes to create good looking details. Most of the popular minimalist room designs seen on HGTV, Houzz and in magazines lack the architectural detail and visual interest.
What ones should never come back?
Soffits and fluorescent light boxes! Two trends that took up too much visual space in a room and are just ugly.
How do you envision the next 25 years for The Cleary Company?
I believe we’ll continue to lead our industry through education, innovative designs, cutting edge construction materials and techniques. With our continued growth we’re looking to expand our service and product offerings.
Reflections on 10 years & Creating a Design Build Team with George
In 2009, after 15 successful years of remodeling homes in Columbus OH, George was ready to elevate The Cleary Company by hiring his first full-time designer, Laura Watson ASID. George, had worked with Laura on several previous projects when she owned her own design business. It was clear from those collaborations that her experience in the remodeling industry coupled with her ability to connect with clients was exactly what The Cleary Company needed to evolve into a Remodel Design Build firm.
How has the company changed over the last 10 years?
Well its definitely gotten bigger! I was the only designer for a really long time and the busier we got the more stressful it became. Even though I like to think I am Super Woman it was refreshing to have other designers to collaborate with and to share our amazing clients with. It’s a great camaraderie!
What quality has been the most important to ensuring success for The Cleary Company over the last 25 years? I think it’s the people George hires. We have incredible talent on our team. We love what we do and we care about our clients. It’s people and our connections that makes it fun to come to work every day. I think clients see that and it resonates with them.
What is currently driving homeowners to remodel?
Location! Whether it’s a great school district in land-locked neighborhoods, a cabin in the woods or on the lake, or a cool urban setting. People love their surroundings and want to stay where they are for as long as they can. It’s expensive and risky to move these days. You may find a great home but take the chance of having a not so great neighbor. We’re lucky in Columbus to have such a diverse range of communities to call home.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in your career with The Cleary Company?
I have had some really amazing clients and many award winning projects, but the accomplishment that means the most to me is growing and managing an amazing group of designers. Not only have I been able to pass on my design & remodeling knowledge but I’ve also been inspired by their fresh innovative approach to design and client communication. I’m proud of their accomplishments too.
How do you see home remodeling project changing in the next 25 years?
I think we’ll soon begin to see more multi-generational home plans, outdoor environments & nature brought inside the home and innovative solutions for sustainable living.
A Night of Food, Family, Friends & Fun ~ Thank You!
I am truly grateful to be blessed with so many of you who came to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Cleary Company with me and my Team. After all these years, the success I am most proud of are the relationships. Everyone who has celebrated our 25th anniversary with us is connected by relationships and those connections keep us doing what we do. In our 25 years of business it’s the nurturing and growing of those relationships that has brought me the most joy. I want to thank each and every one of you for allowing us in some way to be part of your lives.
Project Manager Rob Lindeboom Reflects on 25 years of Home Remodeling in Columbus OH
Rob & George have been buddies since their high school days on the Bishop Watterson Football team. (Can you spot them in the photo below?!) So when George made the decision in 1994 to start his own home remodeling company, he asked his friend and teammate to help him run his first job. The Cleary Company has changed a lot since completing that first project 25 years ago and Rob’s been standing right along side George for the ride. Remember beepers and Nextel? That’s how Rob remembers communicating with clients and crews on our job sites in the 90’s. He’s most amazed at how communication has changed. “The internet, smart phones and tablets have dramatically improved how we all do our jobs. We even have our own APP! The client experience is much more collaborative. Our Design Team can create detailed 3D renderings in a fraction of the time it use to take. And our Sales Team can get real-time estimates and product updates from our vendors.”
Over the last 10-15 years Rob’s role on our Team has evolved into a senior management position. In addition to managing his own projects, he also oversees and mentors our entire production staff. Rob says, “I try to make myself accessible and approachable to the younger guys, offering them guidance, especially when I notice them looking stressed.” George says, “Rob has one of the keenest eyes and sharpest minds in the business and when he’s part of the project, every detail is done right. Rob is our go-to guy for problem solving on every job site. Carpentry is in his DNA!”
Rob’s very optimistic for the future of the home remodeling industry in Columbus Ohio. “Central Ohio is a great area. Geographically and economically we’re in great shape for growth with new builds but also we have some great individual communities that have their unique feel and homeowners are investing their money to improve the older homes.”
April is not only the month George celebrates his birthday but it’s also the month back in 1994 when he established The Cleary Company. With his 10+ years of experience working in construction, George set up an office in the basement of his home in Upper Arlington. He purchased a computer, a truck and hired his first crew of buddies to complete jobs generated from his connections and respect in the community.
Fast forward to 2019 and the company has grown into a Remodel Design Build firm with 25 employees, over $5 million in revenue and is set to move into their newly remodeled 11,000sf office! So Happy Birthday & Congratulations to George and The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH.
When asked what’s changed the most with the business in the last 25 years, George doesn’t hesitate and says, bathrooms. “Bathrooms have evolved into home spas. Places where homeowners want to start and end their day in a relaxing luxury. Showers have gotten bigger and bathtubs are smaller.” According to the 3 designers on staff, the most requested luxury items for master bathroom remodels are heated floors and zero threshold showers with multiple shower heads and body sprays. They even get requests for steam showers!
George continues, “When I started my business back in 1994, we were mostly building decks, screened porches and privacy fences for friends and family members and now we’re building whole houses! I am so excited to begin our next 25 years and moving into our new location at 989 Old Henderson Rd. Our new space features a design studio with a larger space for our new sample library with products and finishes from our most trusted partners. Our new kitchen is fully functional. Perfect for showing off appliances and hosting cooking demonstrations along with our popular Wine & Design events.”
Read more about George and his family in our Meet the Team profiles!
Celebrating 25 Years of Home Remodeling in Columbus OH!
Words that describe my feelings towards you, our Clients, our most precious resource. It’s hard to believe that April of 2019 marks 25 years since I took a leap of faith and created The Clear Company. We were small and humble but I had a simple vision for how I wanted to run my business ~ build relationships & improve people’s lives. Thank you to everyone who has been part our journey. I look forward to celebrating with you all at our anniversary party where we will also be revealing our newly remodeled location so stay tuned for details!
Cheers, George
Read our 25 Year Milestone profile in Columbus CEO magazine here!
George Cleary, owner of The Cleary Company, with shop dog Russell.
A native of Columbus, OH, George Cleary has been in the remodeling business for over 35 years. He founded The Cleary Company in 1994 with $10,000, a computer, a truck, some tools and a few of his buddies. He attributes his success to his honesty, integrity and his ability to build such a wonderful team. George is happy to be part of enhancing properties in the neighborhoods where he lives and works.
“The thing I love most is being part of the emotion of a remodeling project. Translating a customer’s vision into a design and then building their dream is the best part of what we do. This coupled with working with great friends makes what I do so rewarding”.
George is active with the local chapter of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and nationally with Remodeler’s Advantage (RA). The company has always maintained an A+ excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). By volunteering his time and enthusiasm to various community, church and school activities George feeds his passion of connecting with people and having fun.
A 1984 graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, he’s also the proud father of 3 BWHS graduates, who all went on to earn their college degrees at the University of Dayton. George has been happily married to his bride, Cathy (Brownlee), for over 30 years. His hobbies are camping, fishing, enjoying live music and spending time with his large Irish Catholic family and many friends. He enjoys having his best pal Russell, his 13yr old Golden Retriever, in the office each day.
