Your Questions, Answered What It's Like to Partner with Astra

Building a successful mechanical services business takes vision, resilience and years of hard work. When it comes time to think about the future — growth, succession, legacy — choosing the right partner is everything.

We’re excited that you’re considering a collaboration with Astra Service Partners.

When we look at your company, we see a strong foundation, a thriving culture and the potential for even greater things.

We also know that it’s natural to be skeptical. You’ll have questions.

The founders and leaders of our current partner companies had questions, too. Likely many of the same questions you have today.

So we invite you to watch the videos below because those leaders revealed their initial concerns and also shared how their real-life experiences with Astra eased those early worries.

“There’s a deep emotional attachment to a company you’ve built over decades. I watched it grow, invested my energy, and made countless sacrifices. Walking away would have been difficult without knowing that Astra would honor and uphold everything we built.”

— Mike Peet, Modern Controls

Important Questions. Honest Answers.

“Will Astra change my company’s name and brand?”

Many founders take immense pride in the name and reputation they’ve built. A name change can be seen as erasing their legacy.

Champion Industrial Contractors insisted that their name remain intact, preserving decades of trust with customers and the local community. Astra respected this non-negotiable requirement.

“Will Astra dismantle my company or fire my employees?”

A major fear is that Astra will come in and start cutting jobs or restructuring the business in a way that disrupts its culture.

Initially worried about layoffs, Kelli Mussett and her team at Jackson Mechanical Services were reassured when Astra kept their core team intact and empowered them to continue growing the business.

“Will Astra try to run my company for me?”

Founders who have successfully built their businesses want to retain autonomy in daily operations.

Mike DeVito of Air Comfort shares how Astra gives leadership teams autonomy while still providing valuable guidance and financial backing.

“What will my role be after the acquisition?”

Founders often wonder if they will still have a meaningful role or if they will be pushed aside.

Mike Peet of Modern Controls didn’t simply “sell and leave” — he chose to stay and partner with Astra to continue growing the business.

“Will Astra treat my employees with the same care and values that I do?”

Many founders see their team as family and want to ensure they will be treated with respect and opportunity.

Gary and Evan Forosisky of GE Mechanical explain Astra’s people-first approach and its commitment to employee well-being.

“Will Astra help me grow, or just take over?”

Some business owners worry that a partnership means losing control rather than gaining new opportunities.

Eli Champion of Champion Industrial Contractors saw Astra as a way to take his business to the next level. He highlights how Astra provided the resources to grow while keeping leadership intact.

Gary Dunn of APPCO sees Astra as a “personal trainer” that pushes teams beyond what they thought possible while providing strong leadership.

“Will Astra just strip the business for profit and leave?”

Private equity has a reputation for maximizing short-term profits at the expense of employees and long-term success.

Gary and Evan Forosisky of GE Mechanical directly contrasts Astra to traditional private equity, explaining how Astra nurtures growth rather than extracting value.

“How will my team benefit from joining Astra?”

Employees often worry about their own future and whether new ownership will limit their career opportunities.

Kelli Mussett of Jackson Mechanical highlights how employees have grown into leadership roles within Astra’s network, proving that the acquisition created more opportunities, not fewer.