- Introduction
Scobell – Winston Company was established as a partnership in 1900. The company was reorganized as a corporation in 1946, being renamed Scobell Company, Inc. The company was originally located at 2027 State Street, Erie, Pennsylvania where it remained until 1959. It relocated to 220 East 8th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania and was there until 1983, when it moved to its present location, 1356 East 12th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Gil Scobell founded Scobell Company on the philosophy that anyone who serves their customers with respect, dedicates their time, and works hard can achieve their dreams. By following this philosophy, his legacy, the Scobell Company grew over the last 110 years and will continue to grow stronger for another 100 years.
- Mr. Gilbert L. Scobell
Mr. Gilbert L. Scobell, the founding partner and president from 1900-1959, was born in Kingston, Canada, and moved to the United States when he was five years old. Mr. Scobell started the business with his partner, Mr. George Winston, when he was 19 years old. In 1933, the Carrier Corporation offered a franchise to Scobell Company, one of only 17 companies in the United States to receive this offer. Mr. Scobell passed away on December 25, 1959. Mr. Scobell’s only daughter, Dorothy Scobell Dugan, spent her career as the administrator at the Erie Infants Home. - Mr. Bert W. McDowell
Mr. Bert W. McDowell joined the firm in 1936 and served as president from 1959-1979. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Mr. McDowell came to Erie via Newark, New Jersey. He was a registered professional engineer associated with the Carrier Corporation. One of the City of Erie’s first commercial air conditioning systems at Pulakos Candy Store, 926 State Street, was designed and installed by Scobell Company and Bert McDowell in 1934. Mr. McDowell passed away after retiring from Scobell Company, Inc. Mr. McDowell had one daughter, Marcia (Twink) Webb. She resides in Ft. Myers, FL with her husband Steve. Mr. McDowell’s granddaughter Stephanie Barrett resides in St. Augustine, FL with her husband Rich and their four children.- Mr. William C. Althof
Mr. William C. Althof joined the firm in 1935 and served as president 1979-1983. Mr. Althof started working as a plumber for Mr. Gil Scobell and held the City of Erie Master Plumbing License. After Mr. Scobell’s death, Mr. Althof was promoted to project manager and estimator. After Mr. McDowell retired, Mr. Althof became president, serving until his retirement. Mr. Althof and his wife moved their residence to Florida in 2002 to spend more time with their son, Thomas Althof, and his family. - Mr. Gilbert J. Johannes
Mr. Gilbert J. Johannes joined the firm in 1949 and served as president from 1983-1997. Mr. Johannes started working for Scobell Company as a union steamfitter for Plumbers and Steamfitters’ Local Union 333 and was promoted to field superintendent. Mr. Johannes became president after the retirement of Mr. Althof. Mr. Johannes and his wife are living in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Johannes has two sons, James and John Johannes - Mr. Gary L. Meyer
Mr. Gary L. Meyer joined the firm in 1954 starting in the warehouse and as a truck driver then moving into the position of controller and purchasing agent. After the retirement of Mr. Johannes, Gary became major shareholder in December of 1997 and served as Corporate Secretary/CEO until his retirement in 2006. Mr. Meyer and his wife live in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr. Meyer’s four children live and work in Erie. His son, Gregory is a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 47 employed at Scobell Company; son, Todd is a Vice President at Scobell Company; daughter, Robin is a Radiologist at Hamot Medical Center; and daughter, Cheryl is a mechanical engineer for a local company in Erie, Pennsylvania. - Mr. Charles E. Haise
Mr. Charles E. Haise joined the firm in 1970 as a steamfitter apprentice for Plumbers and Steamfitters’ Local Union 333 and was promoted to field superintendent in 1983. After the retirement of Mr. Johannes, Charles became a major shareholder, along with Gary Meyer, in December of 1997. He assumed the presidency in 2007 until his retirement in 2015. Mr. Haise lives in Erie, Pennsylvania with his wife Darlene. They have two grown children, Jessica, a nurse and Charles, a teacher. - Mr. Todd Meyer
Mr. Todd Meyer joined the firm in 1981. He has held various positions at the company and is familiar with the many facets of the business. Todd has been a stockholder in the company since 1998. He has served as an officer in the firm since 2007 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2010. Todd served as Vice President for six years before he assumed the presidency when Mr. Haise retired in December 2015. Todd earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Gannon University. He lives in Millcreek with his son Gary who attends Penn State Behrend College.
