Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence

Georgane Cowan, Senior Accountant

For the last 35 years, the success of Fresh Air Manufacturing Company (FAMCO) has not been dependent on a building or a system of operations. Success depends on the people. People like Georgane Cowan.

Georgane Cowan is our senior accountant, and her passion and dedication for her work shines through every day. Georgane has a strong commitment to excellence, and she offers unwavering support for her colleagues. As a mother, Georgane balances her professional responsibilities and her personal values, without sacrificing one or the other. Her ambitious attitude makes her an integral part of the FAMCO team and a cherished contributor to the workplace. When talking about the success of FAMCO for 35 years, it is vital to talk about the key performers, like Georgane, that make FAMCO a home. 

Georgane says it all started with our founder, Marty Artis, who believed “the core of FAMCO is its people”. Although her time with him was limited, Georgane remembered him “as someone that always had a smile”. He was enthusiastic about life and the people he chose to associate with, both at work and in his personal life. Georgane says that this was apparent in every aspect of FAMCO as Marty built his legacy on the relationships he had with the employees.

This mindset of “what can I do for others?” vs. “what can others do for me?” was contagious throughout the company. Marty’s emphasis on the relational side of the company instead of the transactional fostered a culture of teamwork that is evident in every position. Georgane says this value of teamwork has allowed for more open and productive conversations between employees. “The FAMCO team tackles problems as a collective, and all opinions are invited into that space, regardless of position or department”.  

Georgane says this strategy is what makes FAMCO a great place to work. “FAMCO is a place that allows me to grow and explore new things, whether it is in my area of expertise or not. I have more opportunities to find solutions in ways and areas I wouldn’t be able to before”. She says this concept is unlike something she has seen before, and she believes that shift in mindset has been a major growth driver for the company. Georgane explains that the new management challenged the status quo of business operations, and it has then trickled down into all levels. “Everyone carries themselves differently” due to their sense of purpose and the shared ambition for company accomplishments.

While these external achievements are notable, Georgane’s experience with FAMCO is much more personable. Before her start at FAMCO, Georgane was someone who was comfortable not receiving a lot of attention, where the tasks she completed were a testament to her time at a company. Now, Georgane says she feels acknowledged and appreciated every day she comes into work- which is a remarkable feeling. It is something that makes coming to work exciting, even on the hard days. Georgane’s value is not determined by her job responsibilities, but rather her character.

With the unwavering support of her accomplishments, Georgane says FAMCO has changed her life. Georgane felt celebrated with every milestone she hit, whether that was in the workplace, expanding her family, or going back to school to receive her master’s degree.  She was able to balance maternity and being a student because of the confidence FAMCO instilled in her and her career. Sharing the joys and stresses of motherhood with her colleagues has been a particularly memorable experience for Georgane. “Having someone who you see on a daily basis, that is understanding and willing to step in for you makes all the difference in those hard moments”.

As someone with a young family, being present means everything to Georgane. Working at FAMCO means that there will never be the expectation that her responsibilities could take away from her relationships at home. She can be all-in with her career and her family. This work/life balance has allowed Georgane the opportunity to explore the outdoors, take family cruise vacations, attend her kids’ sporting events, host parties at her house, and be season ticket holders for BSU Football. Georgane says FAMCO has also been very understanding of the moments that aren’t so glamorous. “When I have a sick kid, I never have to worry about how my work will react”, Georgane has the reassurance that she can be a mom when her kids need her to be a mom.

Since working at FAMCO, Georgane’s kids have been able to bear witness to the determination of her work efforts. Georgane sets the example of hard work for her kids. She values teaching them to “put your heart into everything you do”, promising that they will see results in doing so. As she works hard, Georgane also plays hard and gets to bring her kids into the family atmosphere of FAMCO. Whether they are just stopping in or participating in one of the activities, everyone is excited to have her kids come in.

In the next several years to come, Georgane predicts that FAMCOs growth will continue. She looks forward to a future where FAMCO can expand into new locations in the country to serve more customers. She wants to expand the FAMCO family and bring more people into this fun and inviting culture. She also hopes to reach more people in the community through the organization and be active participants in community outreach programs.

Each employee is a testament to our success. Every day, Georgane Cowan puts her heart into her work and drives the company to a more profitable future, but what is even more remarkable is her relationship with the team. She knows “the core of FAMCO is its people” and exemplifies this in her charismatic and compassionate actions that makes everyone else around her feel appreciated. As a loving mother, Georgane can be everything, to everyone, all at once. We are grateful to have Georgane Cowan on our team to reminisce on the last 35 years of FAMCO and carry us on in the years to come.