20 Years of Plumbing Around: Our Story on the Plumbing Around Podcast
At Liberty Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., we’ve spent the last 20 years turning wrenches, solving problems, and building relationships—one customer at a time. Recently, we had the honor of sitting down with Scott Thornton, President of Temecula Winnelson, on his podcast Plumbing Around. It was a chance to reflect on our journey, share our philosophy, and have a few laughs along the way. If you haven’t caught the episode yet, you can listen to the full conversation below!
Two Decades of Grit, Growth, and Giving Back
This year marks our 20th anniversary in business—a milestone we couldn’t have reached without our incredible team, loyal customers, and a whole lot of perseverance. In the podcast, Jerry and Kristen Howse, the husband-and-wife duo behind Liberty, opened up about what it’s been like to run a plumbing and HVAC company together for two decades. From surviving the recession to raising a family while growing a business, it hasn’t always been easy—but it’s always been worth it.
Jerry, a U.S. Navy veteran with 40 years of plumbing experience, shared how his time working for other companies inspired him to strike out on his own. “I learned from every job,” he said, “but I always wanted to do it my way—putting people first.” Kristen, who traded a career in medical billing for the unpredictable world of business ownership, added, “It was a joint decision. We moved to Temecula Valley right before the recession hit, and we’ve been figuring it out together ever since.”
Our Philosophy: Honor, Integrity, and Ability
One thing that came up again and again in the podcast is our motto: Honor, Integrity, and Ability. It’s not just a catchy phrase—it’s how we operate every day. Jerry put it best: “When we’re working for someone, that’s somebody’s parent or grandparent. We treat them with compassion and care, like we’d want for our own family.” Whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet, unclogging a drain, or installing a new AC unit, we’re committed to doing the job right—and making it right if something goes wrong.
Kristen emphasized the teamwork that makes it all possible. “Liberty isn’t just us—it’s a ‘we’ thing. Our technicians are the backbone of this company, and we’re blessed to have such a great crew.” That sense of family extends to our customers, too. We’ve built friendships over the years, and nothing beats hearing from a happy client who trusts us with their home.
Plumbing, Heating, and Air—Oh My!
So, what do we do at Liberty? As Jerry and Kristen explained on Plumbing Around, we cover the full spectrum of residential and commercial plumbing and HVAC services. From drains and water heaters to furnaces and air conditioners, we’ve got you covered. (Though we’ll politely pass on septic pumping and swamp coolers—everybody’s got their limits!) With 40 years of experience under Jerry’s belt, there’s not much we haven’t seen or fixed.
The Secret to 34 Years of Marriage and 20 Years in Business
Running a business as a married couple isn’t for the faint of heart. Jerry and Kristen, married for 34 years, shared some candid insights into how they make it work. “We’ve got defined roles,” Kristen said, “but the lines cross sometimes. At the end of the day, we laugh, we compromise, and we remind each other why we’re in this together.” Jerry added, “She keeps me in line—especially when I get too excited about buying new tools!”
Owning up to mistakes is part of the deal, too. “If we mess up, we own it,” Jerry said. “That’s how we learn, and that’s how we keep our customers happy.” It’s a lesson we instill in our team: honesty and accountability build trust, and trust is everything in this business.
Tune In and Join the Conversation
We had a blast chatting with Scott on Plumbing Around. From funny stories about raising kids to heartfelt moments about helping customers in need, it’s a real look at who we are and what drives us. Scott even gave a nod to Jerry’s knack for looking out for people, recalling times when we’ve teamed up to help someone out with a fair deal.
Want to hear more? Watch the full episode above and let us know what you think! Have a plumbing or HVAC question? Drop us a line—we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re in the Temecula Valley area, let’s celebrate 20 years together—maybe over a cold drink at Temecula Winnelson!
Here’s to the next 20 years of keeping your water flowing and your air just right. Because at Liberty Plumbing, Heating & Air, water always wins—but we’ve got your back when it does!
