Water and energy management are inherent to plumbing. As such, the plumbing industry should be good stewards of our water resources and environment. This founding principle is what launched Blue Planet Plumbing (BPP) in 2003.
Led by master plumber Georg Efird, Blue Planet Plumbing became one of the first grassroots, locally-accredited green plumbing companies in Asheville.
Blue Planet Values
Blue Planet Plumbing brings a holistic and environmental approach to every aspect of the plumbing system.
We do not recommend or use caustic materials, business practices or techniques that harm the environment. We do everything within our power to reduce our footprint. We advocate for products like hybrid water heaters that put less stress on our water and energy resources. Most importantly, we are committed to educating our clients on the most up-to-date environmental and economical options to best fit their households, budget, and needs.
“Every human and creature deserves unlimited access to fresh, clean drinking water.”
Georg J. Efird, Founder
Learn more about our:
BPP’s strong values and environmental stewardship are just a few of the many reasons Blue Planet Plumbing is so successful today.
A Leader Emerges
Blue Planet Plumbing is the top-rated 5-Star plumbing service provider in the region. Georg and team will stop at nothing short of delivering quality, precision and accountability to every client. Our entire organization has been handcrafted by our leader, managers and staff to ensure our clients receive “The Ultimate Plumbing Experience.”
Our Strength is Our People
There is no business without the people. And that means clients and staff. Georg and his staff of licensed plumbers and technicians work hard to maintain their reputation for fair, thorough service while honoring their responsibility to clients, the blue planet, and one another.
With a cohesive team centered around shared values and respect, Blue Planet is able to deliver top-quality plumbing services and truly enjoy doing it!
Treat your employees the way you want your employees to treat your customers. My people are my biggest asset. They are invaluable, irreplaceable and part of my family and I treat them so.“
Areas We Serve
Blue Planet Plumbing offers plumbing services in Asheville and surrounding areas within a 20-minute drive of the city. Nearby areas we serve include:
- Alexander
- Arden
- Asheville
- Biltmore Forest
- Biltmore Lake
- Black Mountain
- Candler
- Fairview
- Fletcher
- Hendersonville
- Mills River
- Montreat
- Swannanoa
- Weaverville
- Woodfin
Our Team
Georg J. Efird
Founder & Owner
Georg Efird has devoted over 30 years (that’s 2/3rds of his life!) to the plumbing trade. His interest in the trade developed early, and once he got his feet wet, Georg was hooked. He soaked it up like a sponge – and not just plumbing best practices. Georg also developed a keen interest in business management and customer service. This all-encompassing interest may have been what led to the original name for Blue Planet Plumbing: Eat, Sleep, Plumb. It’s most certainly what fuelled Georg and Blue Planet Plumbing to become the most highly-rated plumbing company in Western North Carolina.
Now with a staff of over 14 employees, Georg is busy spending his time training the next generation of apprentices, plumbing technicians, managers, customer service representatives, dispatchers and overall great humans to enter the workforce properly trained and equipped to handle anything they may encounter.
Georg enjoys his free time with his family and his cats. He loves spending time outdoors whenever he can — gardening, trout fishing and just being out in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
As a leader, it is my responsibility to ensure that my staff members are more when they leave my company than they were when they got here. If I can do that I have achieved what I came here to do.“
Miranda L. Wildman
Owner
Miranda opened and operated Blue Planet Plumbing with Georg in 2003 and performed daily administrative and bookkeeping tasks until 2017. Her background in restaurant management became an early asset as she offered her experience with data entry and payroll processing to early BPP business operations.
Miranda’s early days growing up in rural Vermont gave her a great appreciation for nature that continued to blossom when she moved to the Western North Carolina mountains and met Georg. Miranda says that their shared love of nature paved a natural path to proceed with Georg’s dream of opening an environmentally-friendly plumbing business.
These days Miranda’s role at BPP has evolved to overall support.
The real magic comes from the amazing team that Georg has gathered over the years. I am grateful for the expertise, skill, and character that everyone brings to the company and without them there would be no Blue Planet Plumbing.”
Outside of BPP, Miranda enjoys creating intimate art experiences for small gatherings, offering community care through creativity, and making art magic by way of painting, mixed media mess-making, and cyanotype printing (a historical photographic process).
Will Dawson
Service Manager/Plumbing Technician
Water Heater, Water Filtration, General Plumbing Specialist, Lead Technician trainer
Joined the Team: 2019
Will embarked on his plumbing career at a young age. His family owned a plumbing business in Texas, and from there, he received on-the-job training in new construction.
Fast-forward 25 years, and Will is a well-rounded plumber who specializes in listening to customers and solving issues that lack an obvious solution. He’s grateful for the opportunity to present homeowners with options that suit their needs. It’s equally important to him that he can alert them to potential plumbing problems before they become costly disasters. It’s this proactive approach that has made him a perfect fit for Blue Planet.
Let’s face it, having a stranger in your home can be nerve-racking, so being respectful and listening builds trust.”
When he’s not troubleshooting issues for our plumbing customers, Will focuses on spending time with his wife and two daughters, shopping, eating out, and having fun with the family.
REBECCA PATTERSON
Lead Office Administrator
Joined the Team: 2023
Rebecca joins Blue Planet Plumbing as a dedicated Office Administrator that leads through influence and builds relationships across boundaries. She’s extremely motivated and passionate about inclusive community, partner engagement and hiring practices, all of which make her a welcomed asset to the Blue Planet team.
Her extensive background in business management spans various areas, including customer service, company culture, HR, and community volunteer programs.
Rebecca credits Service Manager Will Dawson for persuading her to join Blue Planet Plumbing. Intrigued by his impressive credentials, she asked him what kept him at Blue Planet. His response was simple yet profound, “I’m appreciated.”
Since becoming a part of Blue Planet, Rebecca has embraced the positive company culture and cherishes being part of a team that shares core values.
I know that every single day, every person that works here will show up and treat every individual they encounter with honesty, dignity, and respect.
Beyond her professional life, Rebecca is blessed with an incredible family, including three amazing kids and a beloved rescue pup. When not at work, you’ll find the whole crew enjoying their time by the water.
Mary ForRest
Mary Forrest is the newest addition to the Blue Planet Plumbing team, stepping into the role of Office Administrator. With an extensive background in customer service spanning over a decade, Mary’s expertise encompasses various fields, with a focus on home improvement and staffing.
Before her customer service journey, Mary gained valuable experience in the manufacturing industry, adding a unique perspective to her skill set. In 1998, she made the life-changing decision to move to Asheville, drawn by a job opportunity her former spouse received.
What Mary appreciates most about her current position is the warm and supportive family environment cultivated at Blue Planet Plumbing, along with the approachability of the founder, Georg.
For Mary, building rapport with customers is key. Empathizing with client needs builds trust and can create lasting connections.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Mary’s heart lies with her family. Her two grown daughters and three grandchildren hold a special place in her world, and she also dedicates herself to caring for her disabled mother and brother.
As Mary joins Blue Planet Plumbing, she brings not only her expertise in customer service but also her genuine passion for fostering a positive and caring environment for both clients and colleagues alike.
Pablo Trejo
Plumbing Technician, Tankless / Hybrid Water Heater, Water Filtration Specialist
Joined the Team: 2019
After eight years working as a manager at Ingles Markets, Pablo decided that he wanted to work more with his hands. Though he had experience in construction and woodworking, recent side work as a plumber prompted him to make a career change. Now as a technician at Blue Planet, he’s learned more about the trade and applies his preferred hands-on approach to the job.
A family man with a son, Ronan and daughter, Luna, Pablo appreciates Georg’s business philosophy, which takes into account his workers’ well-being and workload. The joy Pablo brings to every job is evident in the big smile he wears whenever he greets customers, as well as his determination to solve their plumbing issues.
After the job is done, just seeing the look on the customer’s face is what I look forward to on a daily basis.”
Arion Blute
Plumbing Technician, Certified Backflow Specialist
Joined the Team: 2020
Arion joined the Blue Planet Plumbing team in the spring of 2020. Prior to coming on board, Arion managed a franchise restaurant and worked with an apartment management company in Portland, Oregon. While at the apartment complex, Arion was able to cultivate a range of maintenance skills including plumbing, which ended up becoming his favorite part of the job.
We would often encounter pipes leaking into the walls. I knew I wanted to become a plumber when, during these situations, I was able to bring a speedy and level-headed approach to diagnosing the issues, finding the culprit, and being able to eliminate people’s worries about what might be happening to their home.”
At Blue Planet Plumbing, he appreciates the small, tight-knit team and applauds the excellent communication, which is essential to a well-functioning team. Additionally, Arion thrives on the spontaneity of plumbing work saying, “When we come into work in the morning, we don’t always know what we’ll be getting into.” The resulting challenges — and finding the solutions — are satisfying and rewarding.
Arion grew up in the central coast of California but has lived in many locations, from the icy prairies of Saskatchewan to big cities like Toronto. He moved to Asheville early in 2020 looking for a slower life amidst a beautiful landscape. He currently lives in Hendersonville. In his free time, Arion enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring the outdoors.
Sam Monroe
Plumbing Technician, Re-Pipe Specialist
Joined the Team: 2022
Sam shifted to plumbing after a career in landscaping noting that, unlike landscaping, plumbing is a four-season job. He particularly enjoys repiping houses. It’s a satisfying puzzle where you take everything apart and put it back together better. He also enjoys walking customers through challenges.
Blue Planet has definitely been the best company I’ve worked for. Georg is a great guy. He is always respectful and cares about his employees. The management side of the business is the best part. My service manager, Will always pick up the phone to answer a question.”
Sam is originally from Atlanta Georgia but moved to Asheville from St Augustine, Florida in January 2022 for the outdoor adventure. In his spare time, he enjoys skateboarding or hiking and kayaking with his girlfriend and rambunctious border collie.
Mac Schilder
Plumbing Technician Assistant
Joined the Team: 2022
Mac Schilder is an up-and-coming plumbing expert and former business manager who knows a thing or two about hustle. After graduating of the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a degree in business management, Mac worked his way up to store manager at a regional car wash.
After continued staffing issues and many long hours, including an 82-hour work week, Mac decided he needed something different – something that would allow him to have a much healthier work-life balance. Enter Georg, Blue Planet Plumbing founder. Georg was at the car wash one day and noticed Mac’s hard work and encouraged him to reach out. Shortly after that, Mac joined Blue Planet Plumbing team and hasn’t looked back since.
Mac’s experience with business management, customer service and hustle make him an integral member of the Blue Planet team.
I like working for Georg and Blue Planet Plumbing because I feel respected as a person, get to learn new things every day, and expand my knowledge of plumbing. I also get to work with really good down-to-earth people.”
A good team means good, consistent, quality service. Mac is committed to learning the craft and providing the best customer service and quality workmanship every time. In his free time, Mac likes to practice guitar and banjo.
UBER
Apprentice Plumbing Technician
Joined the Team: 2023
Uber brings a wealth of valuable customer service experience to his role as a Plumbing Technician. For several years, he delighted hundreds of customers at a Latino restaurant, leaving a trail of happy patrons in his wake. Not one to shy away from hard work, Uber’s early years were spent alongside his father in the field of masonry where he honed his practical skills.
Originally hailing from Guatemala, Uber has been a resident of Hendersonville since 2018. His bilingual education is a valuable asset that benefits both the Blue Planet team and our diverse clientele.
Since becoming a part of the team, Uber finds satisfaction in engaging with customers, solving challenges, and delivering top-notch performance.
I believe a person’s true essence lies in their integrity and character. I keep this in mind at all times when interacting with customers.
In his free time, Uber enjoys weightlifting and soccer. His dedication to his craft and commitment to providing exceptional service makes him an invaluable member of the Blue Planet team.
MIKE WEEKS
Plumbing Technician
Joined the Team: 2023
Mike is relatively new to the plumbing profession, but his ability to learn quickly and, more importantly, his people skills have swiftly earned him the status of an essential member of the Blue Planet Plumbing team.
Mike works with installation teams that tackle anything from sewer and water line replacements to remodel rough-ins. He enjoys problem-solving, exploring, diagnosing, and executing, which gives him a sense of completion and satisfaction.
The BPP model is pretty straightforward and easy to follow: take care of clients with integrity and honesty, be kind to each other, and support each other both personally and professionally
Before joining BPP, Mike managed and co-owned a popular local garden company for 20 years. After COVID, they decided to sell the business and pursue new ventures. As a homeowner and former business owner, Mike thoroughly understands how decisions like plumbing can impact a business or homeowner.
I am a homeowner myself, and I know what it feels like to have someone in my home who is there to fix an issue. I enjoy getting to know clients and making them feel comfortable.
Mike is originally from Rock Hill, SC. After meeting some Asheville locals while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2000, he made the fateful decision to move here where he ultimately met his wife and started a family. While he has moved on from the gardening business, Mike is still very passionate about sustainable gardening practices.
A true renaissance man, Mike is also a member of a local reggae band where he has played drums, vocals, bass, and guitar for the last 12 years. He also plays with his two kids. Mike has been happily married for over 18 years, and Opal the golden retriever and Levon the cat complete the family.
Cameron Ayers
Plumbing Technician
Joined the Team: 2022
Cameron has more than a decade of experience in plumbing sales and distribution having worked at three plumbing companies over the years including Blue Planet Plumbing. He is driven, perceptive, focused and inquisitive, and absolutely committed to reaching the highest standard of plumbing.
I have very early memories as a child of saying I wanted to be a plumber. I wasn’t really sure exactly what that meant at that age, as my only real semblance of a plumber was the Mario Brothers.”
Cameron’s early interest in plumbing rooted. According to his mother, he was always incredibly interested and fascinated whenever they had a plumber working over at the house.
Prior to direct plumbing work, Cameron learned the ins and outs of plumbing parts, systems, and applications after taking it upon himself to study the trade while working in the plumbing department at Lowe’s. His keen interest and self-direction propelled him to department Supervisor and, eventually, his role at Blue Planet.
Cameron’s values are consistent with Blue Planet Plumbing’s. He learned from a very young age to treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their background, appearance, or lifestyle.
Plumbing can be an income, an art and a hobby. These three pillars serve to provide ultimate fulfillment.”
When he’s not plumbing, Cameron enjoys his time hiking with his wife Alya and exploring the beautiful mountains of western NC. He also enjoys US history and is chock-full of US president trivia. Quiz him yourself.
REFER A FRIEND. Get $50
Once you’ve had The Ultimate Plumbing Experience, you’ll want to tell your friends about it. Lucky for you, spreading the word pay off.
