DRS & Associates

It occurred to me recently, when I was giving a presentation to a client's sales organization, that my background and experience was important to share when discussing the foundation of our agency. (We also included a few amusing photos for your pleasure). For those who think this is too much information, please don't hesitate to close this page. I'll never know.

Apparently at a very early stage I was interested in the plumbing industry. At the ripe age of seven or eight, I was enthralled with kitchen and bath showroom design, merchandising, and marketing. (There I am looking into the window of my father's showroom - notice that even in the 60's there was political correctness in the holiday greetings!). I was the middle son of a master plumber who was also a skilled craftsman and businessman. He truly understood the essence of providing exceptional customer service and satisfaction. Being the only sibling to follow in his footsteps into the industry, I spent a lot of my free time hanging around the shop and was soon sent off to plumbing school (the PHCC) by the age of 15 1/2. In fact, I drove to my class with only a "learner's permit." Within a couple of years, I passed my test and became the youngest licensed Journeyman Plumber in the State of California. A few years later, I completed exams for the C-36 Plumbing contractors and Heating and Cooling licenses. I became the RMO of our service and repair business.

Aside from service and repair, my father and a few of his highly skilled journeyman performed custom plumbing-system installations and set finish for client's provided decorative plumbing fixtures. (If a client or designer wanted a customized installation or had a special project or unique application they called my father).

I soon realized that we should be selling the entire package to our clients as part of a decorative kitchen and bath business. I decided to open a high-end decorative showroom and incidentally it was located right down the street from Familian's original corporate showroom. During this time, I met Sidney Altman and we immediately hit it off. He liked my enthusiasm and interest in the luxury-faucet business, and I appreciated his unique style in design, the way that he dealt with high-end clientele and merchandised his showroom. During this time, I learned that I wanted to sell top-quality products that happened to be expensive. My showroom was one of the few independent stores in our area that maintained an exclusive product offering and atmosphere. In true "turn-key" fashion, I was able to not only sell these fine products, but could offer a "white glove" installation service as well; this led to several remodel projects

Soon after that, I obtained my General Contractors license. During this time, I also began to develop an interest in high-end bathroom and kitchen renovation and design. My reputation for running a professional contracting business where top quality products and craftsmanship was paramount, customer service and relations was golden, and design was creative and practical, quickly led to a wonderful clientele base throughout Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Malibu and the surrounding communities. (story to be continued)