VBE Spotlight: PowerWashCompany.com
Veteran’s Business Enterprise®: PowerWashCompany.com
Headquarters: Gaithersburg, MD
Year Founded: 1989
# of Employees: 9
Website: powerwashcompany.com
Service Overview: Power Washing, Soft Washing, Pressure Washing
Founders/CEOs: Henry Bockman
Service Branch: U.S. Navy
Years Served: 1986–1989
Military Occupation: Aviation Ordinancemen
Highest Rank Attained: E-3
Fun Facts:
- In 10 years, I see myself spending more time traveling and consulting with other power washing companies to help them become more successful and continuing to teach training classes for the industry.
- To relax, I watch TV and read science fiction.
- People might be interested to know that I am constantly creating and developing new equipment for the power washing industry.
What types of services do you offer?
- Power Washing
- Soft Washing
- Pressure Washing
Who do you primarily serve?
- University of Maryland
- Bowie University
- Numerous Property Management Companies
When and how did you start your business?
Henry Bockman is a Navy Veteran that served with the F-14 Squadron “The Starfighters” on board the USS America as an Aviation Ordinance man that specialized in F-14 weapons systems. After he left the military he started a home maintenance company in Maryland called PowerWashCompany.com.
Since 1989 Henry Bockman has taken nearly every power washing training course available and has been certified by the Power Washers of North America, Wolman, Jahn Masonry and Restoration services, Seal N Lock, American Builders and Restoration, BASMA, Cathedral Stone, Alliance Trade Education Services and the Contractors Foundation. Bockman has worked with other contractors and organizations in the industry to create many of the power washing classes in existence today. Bockman helped to create the first international training program in the United Kingdom for softwashing and pressure washing. His experience and training in the pressure washing industry make him one of the most knowledgeable pressure washing contractors in The United States.
Henry Bockman has written training manuals, instructed pressure washing classes and developed certification testing for industry organizations based on his knowledge and experience in the field.
Bockman has also worked with the Historical Society, National Park Services and the Environmental Protection Agency to create best management practices for pressure washing, and worked with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to change the laws regarding the licensing for pressure washing.
Bockman served on the Board of Directors for the Power Washers of North America as the Chairman of the communications committee, PWNA Webmaster, PWNA BBS Administrator, creator of Clean Across America campaign and as the President and a founding member of the Maryland State Chapter of PWNA. Bockman has received The Daily Points of Light Award from President Bush, PWNA Marketing awards, the Joe Walters Award, letters of recognition from The President of the United States and the Governor of Maryland.
In 2016, Bockman was appointed to the Commission on Veterans Affairs, testified for Congress and graduated from the Veterans Institute for Procurement.
Bockman’s companies have donated their services and expertise to help clean up communities and to clean some of our nation’s most cherished monuments including the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Abner DoubleDay Stadium in Cooperstown New York. Bockman currently resides in Maryland with his wife of 25 years and two teenagers.
What challenges did you face when starting your business?
Learning how to start an actual business and how to develop systems to grow and maintain quality services.
What has been the key to your business's success?
Determination, educating myself and the industry, learning from our mistakes and helping others.
What important lessons have you learned that can help others succeed in business?
How to build a successful business, not a “side hustle” or a part-time job.
What common mistakes should they be aware of and avoid?
Growing too fast, not hiring the right people and not learning how to find the best employees that grow with the company so they can also achieve their own goals.
What else would you like the NaVOBA community to know about you and your business?
Everything is in my bio (see “When and how did you start your business?”)
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