About Blue Planet Plumbing, LLC
Georg Efird loved the way he could make people so happy when he solved their plumbing problems. Licensed since 2001, Georg believed that he could create a company that honored his customers as much as the Blue Planet.
In 2002, Blue Planet Plumbing, LLC, was born. The name “Blue Planet” comes from the moniker often given to the Earth: it’s a blue planet because of the abundance of water on its surface. An Asheville plumber, Georg thought the name appropriate since it reflects his values.
Georg wanted Blue Planet Plumbing to become one of the most environmentally friendly plumbing companies in Western North Carolina. To reach that goal, he and his team conserve our precious natural resource by installing, repairing and maintaining the most efficient plumbing systems available.
Blue Planet Plumbing serves all of Buncombe County, including the greater Asheville area. Georg and his staff of licensed plumbers and technicians work hard to maintain their reputation for fair, thorough service, while honoring their responsibility to both their clients and the blue planet.
Owner/Operator Georg practically grew up in the plumbing business. Now a 5-star licensed master plumber, the owner of Blue Planet Plumbing can do things his way. “With so many different points of view, I believe that I’ve found the untapped markets that really need attention,” says the Certified Green Plumber. He likes to be the hero. I found more enticement in sustainable plumbing and educating consumers on how to do it effectively and efficiently.” Georg J. Efird walked on to his first job site at the age of 17. A new father who wanted to secure his family’s future, he applied to become a plumber’s helper despite having no experience or skills. Beginning on a new construction project, he worked under licensed plumbers and moved eventually into commercial plumbing. Georg pursued a career that supported his family while tapping into his drive to help people and serve as a steward to the planet. He went from making $4.25 an hour in 1992 to running a successful plumbing company that earned a revenue of nearly $1 million in 2016. And he’s worked hard for every dime. Going from 90-hour weeks to hiring staff and mentoring his own son, Georg sees himself as part of the new “old generation” of plumbers who take conservation and environmentalism seriously. A Gen-Xer, he learned from the Baby Boomers and is passing the torch to Millennials. 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. Cooking is another passion. To decompress, Georg gives himself up to PC gaming for about an hour a night. Owner/Office Manager Miranda has been an Asheville girl since 1996 when her parents moved here from Vermont. She managed a popular restaurant downtown for six years before she met and married Georg. Miranda found the bookkeeping and managing work fulfilling, and she brought a good dose of business sense to their nascent plumbing company. Miranda did everything but snake toilets those first dozen years before Patrick joined the team. “I did everything in the office,” she says. “But I really like doing all the reconciliation and supporting the guys in the field.” I feel so good about how they’re changing the way people look at plumbing. We’re making an environmental impact, one house at a time.” A husband/wife team takes effort, but Miranda says it works because the two don’t micro-manage each other. Each knows and respects the other’s expertise. She loves to see how Georg implements new strategies, and he loves it when they create good-paying jobs for their employees. Miranda appreciates the help Patrick and Corey bring to the office. And she’s really pleased with how well their plumbers listen to customers and give their best at every job. She knew they were hard workers, but it amazed her how intuitive they turned out to be. Outside the office, Miranda is a practicing artist, with a studio in the Hatchery, which sits among the growing River Arts District community. At Studio 141, she shares space with two other artists where she paints and holds workshops. And she volunteers for Asheville Green Works whenever she can because she “loves to clean up trash.” Miranda looks forward to growing Blue Planet Plumbing more so that she can participate in more environmental groups. ““It’s a priority, personally and professionally.” Licensed Plumber Richard has known Blue Planet Plumbing owner Georg Efird since they were teenagers, and he’s really glad to be working side by side with his old pal. After 20 years in the plumbing business, Richard says he needed to find a place to settle that fit his lifestyle, his desire to help people to the best of his abilities and his goal to work with a company that shares his values. I love doing a good job for customers. I love a good challenge. I’m a problem solver.” Richard is a U.S. Navy veteran. It’s where he began his career in plumbing after graduating from Erwin High School. He was a water treatment specialist while enlisted. The career suited his desire to make a decent living while facing daily challenges. He’s says solving new problems is part of the job. He has to be part-plumber and part-detective — to find the source of the problem, come up with a solution and fix it. When the opportunity came up at Blue Planet Plumbing, he jumped on it. He now enjoys a steadier work schedule that allows him time to work around the house, play his guitar and spend time with his family. Richard grew up in Asheville and now lives in Hendersonville. He wouldn’t choose anywhere else to live because, as he says: “I love the mountains.” Plumbing Assistant/Apprentice Since he was a little boy, Cameron wanted to be a plumber. The Mario Brothers video game, with main characters who’re both plumbers, was his favorite game. He grew up around plumbers and remembers learning how to fit pipes early on. After high school, he tried out various courses at the local community college. Cameron used his plumbing know-how to land a job at Lowe’s as a plumbing specialist. That’s where he met Blue Planet owner Georg Efird. I watched him from afar, awed. He told me about his vision for making the planet a better place, and I thought that maybe one day…” As of June 2017, Cameron now works with Georg, learning from him every day. “It’s so humbling,” Cameron says. “He’s one of the best plumbers in town and one of the few green plumbers.” Cameron shares his boss’ vision and believes there’s great potential for him with Blue Planet. He loves that Georg has a “penchant for craftsmanship,” just as he does. He also shares the rest of the Blue Planet team’s intrigue with problem-solving. In two years, Cameron looks forward to getting his plumbing license and continuing to work with his mentor. In his off hours, Cameron and his wife love hiking and exploring the outdoors. He grew up in Swannanoa and appreciates that his ancestors have been roaming these hills since the late 1700s. “I feel connected to them in the mountains,” he says. Customer Service Rep What Katti Stone lacks in plumbing knowledge, she makes up for in people skills. And since the team she works with at Blue Planet Plumbing wants to take care of people first, she fits right in. Owner Georg Efird and his team of experienced plumbers handle all the plumbing work, so Katti doesn’t have to get her hands dirty. As the Asheville plumbing business grows, they need a certain level of customer service, scheduling, problem-solving and bookkeeping expertise to keep things moving as smoothly as a newly installed drainpipe. Enter Katti Stone, the latest addition to the Blue Planet team. With 10 years’ experience in corporate customer service that often meant 60-hour workweeks, Katti was looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, with less stress and more of a family vibe. “I called, and we hit it off,” says Katti, who’s training to move into office management as she learns the business. She adds her vision to the team. I believe in working smarter, not longer. And I know I bring skills to the company that’ll help as they grow.” Katti moved to Asheville in 2010 after vacationing here for three previous years. She loves the city’s artsy vibes and the surrounding mountains. She enjoys crafting in her spare time, anything from sewing to mixed-media art to upcycling found objects. As for Blue Planet, she foresees a happy future together. “Everyone here is so easy to get along with. I haven’t walked in on anyone in a bad mood. And as an added bonus, I love that they are so environmentally conscious.”
Georg J. Efird
Miranda L. Wildman
Richard Allbritton
Cameron Ayers
Katti Stone
