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Safeguarding The Built Environment Since 1983

Company History

William “Bill” Gallagher founded the Design Coalition as an Architectural firm in the late 1970’s after two successful tours in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee. This company was first ran out of his home, and would then move to West Chester, Parkesburg, and then ultimately to Lancaster. With changing asbestos regulations, it was proving more difficult for Architects to design school renovation projects because of these new regulations which were put in place to govern asbestos in schools. Bill saw the need to learn as much as he could about asbestos and the AHERA regulations so he could better serve his school district clients and make sure they were within federal compliance. Bill became certified as a management planner in the 80’s and took his knowledge on the road across the country to teach other architects and school districts how to comply with the AHERA regulations. This is when e.h.c. was formed, an environmental consulting firm. Because Bill developed a passion for the environmental consulting division, Design Coalition became obsolete and all Architectural, Engineering, and Environmental Consulting were run out of EHC Associates, Inc. As time moved on, the company did less and less Architectural work because the consulting division was booming.

the e.h.c. team in lancaster pa
1969
1970
1979
1982
1983
1986
1987
1988
1991
1995
1998
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Bill Gallagher as a Navy Seabee in Vietnam 1968 to 1969 era

Bill Gallagher as a Navy Seabee in Vietnam 1968 to 1969 era

1969

Bill and Karen Gallagher 1970’s at Bill’s first office, his home.

1970

Bill and Karen Gallagher 1970's at Bill's first office, his home.
EHC Logo 1979 to 1986

E.h.c. Logo 1979 to 1986

1979

Asbestos-in-Schools Rule Enacted

The EPA issued the Asbestos-in-Schools rule, requiring schools to inspect for asbestos materials, document their locations and make this information readily available to teachers, parents, and school workers. Schools also had to provide custodial workers an EPA guide on reducing asbestos exposure.

1982

environmental remediation services

EHC Associates incorporates and provides architectural design and environmental consulting services. William C. Gallagher is the sole shareholder.

Services Offered

  • Architectural Design
  • Project Management
  • Environmental Consulting

1983

Barb King joins the firm.

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)

Congress passed AHERA, requiring schools to develop an official plan outlining the location of asbestos materials and how they will be managed. AHERA gave the EPA authority to issue fines and civil suits against school systems and administrators that fail to follow federal asbestos laws during any activities related to asbestos.

1986

Barb King Vice President of Operations

E.h.c. Logo 1986 to 1990

1987

EHC Logo 1986 to 1990

John Hartman joins the firm as a project manager and draftsman.

1988

John Hartman joins EHC in 1988
EHC Logo 1991 to 1998

e.h.c. Logo 1991 to 1998

1991

W. Patrick Gallagher joins the firm as a PCM Analyst, project monitor, and asbestos building inspector.

1995

Patrick Gallagher joins EHC in 1995

Ted Gallagher joins the firm as a project monitor, and building inspector

1998

Ted Gallagher joins EHC in 1998

William Gallagher passes away after a year long battle with cancer

A Legacy of Giving

  • Creation of a Scholarship Fund
  • Lions Club Volunteering
  • Other Community Volunteering
  • Charitable Donations
  • Gratis Work For Non-Profits

The Transition

The spirit of hard work, sacrifice, and giving that was instilled in us as employees makes a successful transition. We have been well prepared to take over the company.

And We’re Off

The first year is quite an undertaking. Many hats are worn through these months…one day we are in a shirt  and tie, the next disposable Tyveks and a hard hat.

John, Patrick, Ted, and Tom take over e.h.c. as equal partners. The environmental contracting vision takes shape.

Services Offered

  • Environmental Consulting
  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Lead Abatement
  • Mold Remediation

e.h.c. logo was born in 2005 for Abatement Division

2005

e.h.c.- environmental hazards control team

Success?

We think we have what it takes – it was a “successful “ year. During this period we measured success with our profit / loss statement. Our interpretation of this would evolve.

Finding Our Way

We have been graced with low overhead, loyal clients, and plenty of luck as we settle into a position of leadership. The real challenge is now to see if we can maintain – or possibly even grow.

The first year comes to a close with sales of just under a million dollars, however, we realize our first profits as new partners.

2006

Traction

In 2007 we gain traction. Our confidence grows and the values instilled in us continue to surface. We start donating either our time or money to local organizations and charities. Whether it is volunteer work at a Relay for Life or sponsorships for a local fundraiser, we start taking on the responsibility of giving back. Our definition of success starts its subtle progression.

We manage to double our sales in our 2nd year of taking over. Sales are up over 1.5 million dollars and we are again profitable. New employees are added to the work force.

2007

Growth

We are confident that we are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Scalability seems to come easy as we work for both Fortune 500 companies and homeowners. The importance of having responsible and dedicated employees is becoming apparent as one of the keys to our success. Creating a culture of low turnover becomes important. Our definition of success continues to evolve as we incorporate measurements that are not just related to profitability.

Our sales increase again by almost 75% for the year taking us passed the 2 million dollar range in annual sales. We have a staff of around 10 to 15 people and we begin to shape our key personnel.

e.h.c. Logo 1998 to 2008

2008

EHC Logo 1998 to 2008

An Economy in Turmoil

As 2009 hits we see businesses in trouble. Doors are closing and mass layoffs are happening throughout the region. We buckle down and keep our staff employed by dipping into profits and continuing to wear many hats . We also move into a larger
facility with exponentially larger warehouse space. Even now we somehow manage
to mimic our 2008 sales numbers.

Our sales remain flat. We are able to maintain our current staff levels and avoid layoffs by reducing profits. We also incur costs for relocating to a much larger facility.

Company fishing trip to Lewes, DE 2009

e.h.c. purchases new office and warehouse

2009

2009 EHC buys new office and warehouse space

Pressing Forward

Our growth continues. We add both field and office staff, and update them with the latest technologies. Capital improvements are made to our facility and we are now supporting community organizations on a regular basis – Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, St. Anne’s Retirement Community, just to name a few.

Sales are up by 15% and profits are up across the board. With the recovery under way, we continue to add staff and maintain a profit.

2010

Strategic Partnerships

We not only expand our services, but we gain business by developing strategic partnerships with other firms in similar businesses. We find that a good working relationship can happen with external partners as well as within the company. We even start working with some of our competitors. Our definition of success starts to include the ability to work in harmony.

Sales are up by 40% and profits remain up across the board. We add demolition to our list of services.

Services Offered

  • Environmental Consulting
  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Lead Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Demolition

2011 our both wins a prize at the Chamber Expo

Demolition division started in 2011

2011

2011 our both wins a prize at the Chamber Expo

Building Relationships

Growth now seems to be the norm. We work hard at maintaining client and partner relationships. We have almost 100% retainage of our existing clients since taking over in 2005, and we continue to support our local community.

In addition to the previous organizations, we now support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, S. June Smith Center, Go Red For Women, The Graystone Society, and the Arch Street Center.

Sales continue to rise. We have between 40 and 45 employees and 20 vehicles/ trailers.

Ted and 40 under forty award 2012

Ted makes the CPBJ forty under 40 class of 2012

2012

Ted and 40 under forty award 2012
Duct Cleaning division started in 2013

Our Version of Success

2013 brings continued “success” for our company. Our story is not in any way meant to be boastful, rather to share our journey of defining success. The truth is, we continue to both succeed and fail every day…but we also learn. Our values are aligned with how we do business and we are certain that it is not how much we get, but how much we have to give – that is the true measure of our
success. Whether it is to our employees, to our families, or to our community.

Both sales and profits are up again. It could be a record year. We add duct cleaning to our list of services.

Services Offered

  • Environmental Consulting
  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Lead Abatement
  • Mold Remediation
  • Demolition
  • Duct Cleaning

Duct Cleaning division started in 2013

2013

2014 brings yet another challenging year of growth. With multiple large scale projects running at the same time, e.h.c. staff reaches 80 employees on payroll.   Plans are put in place to promote employees into leadership roles and ease the burden on Ted and John.

Our first commercial Superbowl 2014

2014

Our first commercial Superbowl 2014
Dan Kylor (left) promoted to operations manager in 2015 with Ted and Iber

Dan Kylor is promoted to Operations Manager. His leadership and dedication to the company become apparent to everyone.

Jeremy Hussein is promoted to an estimating and business development role.

Hood cleaning division started in 2015

e.h.c. named top 250 private companies 2015

Patrick Gallagher passes away October 2015

2015

In the early 2000’s Bill saw the need to create a contracting division of e.h.c. that would handle abatement and remediation; e.h.c. (Environmental Hazards Control) was born.  Bill passed away in 2005, the company was then passed on to John Hartman, Patrick Gallagher, Ted Gallagher, and Tom Gallagher. With big shoes to fill the four young partners had no experience with running a company. The township that e.h.c. had an office in for 15 years suddenly decided that our use was “non-compliance”; we had to find a new location for our business in the first couple years as new owners. A three-acre industrial property with 15,000 S.F. of office and warehouse space was found in Upper Leacock Township. E.h.c. moved operations to the new office in 2009. Growth continued, as did the stress of running a business. Tom Gallagher decided he wasn’t interested in having his own business, so the partners bought him out. Patrick Gallagher ran our computer division (Blue Point Computers) since 2000; however the company was sold in 2012 so Patrick could concentrate on helping e.h.c. continue positive growth. In 2013 e.h.c. continued to add services to better service our clients’ needs.   A duct cleaning division was formed and demolition services were added to our offerings.  2014 was a rough year, Patrick was diagnosed with a rare bowel cancer and in October of 2015 Patrick lost his battle with cancer. Ted and John managed to have the right people in the right positions to help fill the void that was created upon Patrick’s passing. Today, e.h.c. continues to grow, the right way with integrity and with the passion instilled in us by Bill and Patrick.

If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not you’ll find an excuse.

~ Ryan Blair

Asbestos Abatement Asbestos Abatement Lead Paint Lead Paint Abatement Mold Remediation Mold Remediation Consulting Consulting Duct Cleaning Duct Cleaning Industrial Cleaning Industrial Cleaning Demolition Demolition environmental hazards control team in lancaster pa Testimonials

Our Google Reviews

EHC Associates
4.9
Based on 74 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
I would like to share my experience with one of your employees. I found out I had asbestos exposure in one of the main basement pipes at my house, which I had recently purchased. Elio Cirilo was very professional from start to end with this process. I actually was very impressed with his communication skills; he explained the before-and-after process of asbestos removal in detail, answered all my questions without any hesitation and did not rush things; I actually felt like he cared, which is rare to find these day, dressed very professional, and his professional knowledge made me feel more comfortable and at ease with everything before leaving, since at the time I was feeling very stressed out about the whole situation and not knowing whether I would be able to afford this or not, since I am a single mother. Although, I decided to go elsewhere for my asbestos removal, I would definitely recommend your company because of employees like Elio, who make the process a little less painful.
Nydia Flores
Nydia Flores
19:53 09 Sep 24
Alex and his guys showed up on time. Got right to work and did a great job.
Kurt Curtis
Kurt Curtis
16:43 09 Aug 24
We were really impressed with Elio Cirilo. He was honest and took his time with us. Due to this, I would highly trust this company in the future and will recommend them! Thanks Elio! You're a great guy!
Nicole Bianchi
Nicole Bianchi
13:34 10 Jul 24
There was a team of people at E.H.C. that worked with dedication and care to make our home safe and healthy. Elio, Barb and Louis all played an important part in the scope of work in our home. I am thankful for their work, support and effort.
Jamie Sentz
Jamie Sentz
19:30 06 Jun 24
Elio was wonderful to work with, he returned my calls in a timely manner and was quick and efficient with his quote.Alex and Ryder were punctual, polite and professional. They communicated updates to me throughout the process and explain the next steps. They respected my home and did an excellent job cleaning up after themselves when they were finished. I would absolutly do business with EHC again in the future if the need arises.
Amber Bunting
Amber Bunting
14:02 29 Mar 24
Working with Alex on a project in Hershey. Alex goes the extra mile to make sure everything is done by the book. Very important in this field
Mark & Melissa Cabanas
Mark & Melissa Cabanas
18:31 04 Jan 24
Louis and his crew were professional, personable, and efficient! Great job!
Brandon Monaco
Brandon Monaco
19:21 20 Nov 23
The crew did a great job in removing the asbestos material. Pedro Aluane was great to work with, and he went the extra mile giving me a hand at end of day in installing a tarp over the work area in case it rained over night. Thanks
Ed Patches
Ed Patches
13:46 13 Nov 23
EHC remove the asbestos shingles from this building. Tall Shawn the foreman was great to work with, he communicated and did a good job in managing the project
Edwin Patches
Edwin Patches
13:39 13 Nov 23
Elio was responsive, the admin staff was communicative, Alex and the on-site folks were tidy and professional. Not inexpensive, but that's the nature of their business I suppose. Asbestos abatement isn't a DIY gig.
Shelby LaMar
Shelby LaMar
11:40 03 Nov 23
Alex Henriquez was the project manager for our project. We had some moisture coming in to the house from outside from an old AC unit. He took every precaution to help with removing and stabilizing the lead paint. Alex was also incredibly knowledgeable and was able to answer every question so I could understand exactly what caused the issue what they did and what needed to be done to prevent it in the future. Amazing job.
justin creal
justin creal
22:00 01 Nov 23
Can’t begin to express how great the service was from EHC. I had a wall torn out by a contractor who didn’t test for asbestos, potentially putting my home at risk. EHC came out the very next morning to test my wall and samples, and even provided a rush service making sure I had results the day after. Both the technician (apologies for a bad memory with names), and Colleen were so helpful and were able to set everyone’s minds at ease. I expected to pay a lot for the service, but it was incredibly affordable. Can’t say enough about how professional and helpful this company is. Thank you for caring about customers and proving incredible service!
Austin Good
Austin Good
19:10 20 Oct 23
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