Premium Members Ashley Bradford Posted August 23, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Dear Operator, The time for change has arrived at GPI PRO. After almost 20 years in the camera stabilization business, George has decided to pass the torch. Fortunately for everyone involved the company will be taken over by Jack Bridges, who for the last 5 years has been GPI's technician as well as been involved in the design, development and manufacturing of all updated components. So George feels more than confident that he is leaving you in very good hands. That being said we want to reassure you that George will still be around to assist in the transition and, even though he will be taking a back seat, will always be available should you have any questions or concerns. The "end" of GPI, as you have come to know it, also brings about some changes in the front office. Deborah and I will be moving on to hopefully bigger and, if at all possible, better things. On a personal note I would like to thank our customers for all your support, patience and the privilege in getting to know you over the past 8 years. George, Deborah and I wish each and every Operator all the best and continued safe flying. Warm regards, Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Osvaldo Silvera SOC Posted August 23, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Your all good people over there...Good people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members nealnorton Posted August 23, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I am very grateful for all the support and brilliant products the 3 of you have provided for all these years. You never let me down. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. And Jack, you'll be hearing from me soon! Neal Norton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Richard W. Davis Posted August 24, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Dear Ashley, I would like to welcome Jack in his new position as owner and I want to sincerely thank you Ashley, Jack, George, and Deborah for all that they have done for me through the years. You guys have made the equipment side of being a steadicam owner/ operator a joy. Great products, product philosophy and terrific customer service have made GPI what it is. Thank you so much for everything and best wishes in all your future endeavours. You have a lot of friends out here! Warmest regards, Rich Davis LA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted August 24, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Thanks for everything you've done for us and all the best for the future!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted August 24, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Nooooooo !!!! =) • George sorry to see you go, hopefully all is well and from now on life will be all smiles. • Jack, congrats and we'll all be looking for the new future of Pro. • Ashley and Deborah, Good luck in all your future endeavors, you will be missed. Y'all have been nothing but awesome with customer support and have always handled everything with professionalism and a candidness that, I for one, always appreciated! I don't think it's too much to say , on behalf of the steadicam community, that if ever there is anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to reach out. Warmest regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted August 24, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 To all at GPI; Boy this is sad news, hate to see you all go. Wonderful products that did everything I/we wanted and wonderful service. Great that Jack is carrying on but boy he's got big shoes to fill. Have great times wherever you go. I first heard about George when he attended a workshop I think, then went home (Arizona at the time) and came back with a new base for the EFP that either put it in dynamic balance or allowed for two batteries, can't remember. Everyone was so impressed and the machining was top notch. Then we all kept hearing his name on other pieces and soon it was LA and a full rig appeared. Sure come in for a couple of decades and then leave. . . Have great second half of your life. Janice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members BJMcDonnell SOC Posted August 24, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 You guys have been the best in the BIZ. Anytime ive had a issue it was solved no questions and no wait time. jack rocks and glad it is him but of course George you will be missed. Ashley and Deb you two have always been so rad to me and always very truthful and to the point. I still love my PRO sled, Arm, and Vest and I'm sure Jack will keep the good product going for everyone and future operators. LOVE to you all and hope to stay in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted August 27, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 I will miss you all. Thanks so much for all the support over the years and good luck with your new work lives. And Jack, may you also enjoy the hard earned success George has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted August 27, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 What GPI has meant to the Steadicam community is indeed hard to express - so much so, I waited until the weekend to respond to this in the hopes of saying something a tad more articulate. There is an entire generation of operators now that will never know the silent prayers we gave every time we moved to flip the power switch on our model 1,2, & 3s from "standby" to "on". It is as if we half expected the screen not to come to life. This type of technical insecurity was a fact of life for so long and certainly made things more challenging. George changed all of that with the PRO 1. Having a stand alone monitor attached to a modular system that provided reliable 24 Volts was a true "game changer" (words way over used now). Of course, George, Bob (DeRose), Deborah (and later, Ashley and Jack) did not stop there. They continued to innovate, and provide customer service second to none. I've seen George tell people to buy a Preston before buying his amazing arm as it would make a bigger difference in securing work. These people are not sales people; they are business partners and collaborators. In 1995 when I was looking to modify my CP Model 2 to a single post system, I called Bob DeRose and asked about parts and he put me in touch with Deborah Peters and they were able to make me a deal on George Billinger's heavily modified 3a that he had traded in for his first PRO. In that deal, they secured a relationship that I'm sure will continue with Jack for years to come. There has been a lot written in other threads lately about customer service from certain companies. All I can say is when you have companies like GPI (and a handful of others - Howard Preston, Jim Bartell, Walter Klassen, Greg Bubb) you are crazy not to work with them. George, Deborah, Ashely, you will all be missed. Thank you for everything! Ashley, I'll miss your lovely and soothing voice uttering "Hello. GPI" when I call. Jack, I'm really glad that we got to hang out a bit the last time I was in LA and talk about your plans. I'm excited for you and the future. Cheers all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted August 28, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I've seen George tell people to buy a Preston before buying his amazing arm as it would make a bigger difference in securing work. These people are not sales people; they are business partners and collaborators. Alec, Your right, I forgot about a story I have regarding George. When I went to see George about buying a vest way back when, I brought my Old EFP Vest with me and told him the issues I was having and that I wanted to be fit for one of his vests. He told me, "Your wearing that vest hours on end right?" yes I said. "and is it hurting you?" No I said, Then he says, " Go put buckles on it and upgrade the padding and come see me when you break the leather shoulder straps" . I was shocked, he basically talked me out of buying his vest, he saved me a bunch of money and it wasn't until I sold that vest, which I called the 76 Cadillac , because that's how it felt when I wore it, that I went straight over to Pro and finally got to be fitted for a new Pro Vest. I knew then that this company cares about the business of steadicam and not just the bottom line of money. Can't wait to see the future of Pro =} Hit em straight George and play the 3rd hole in Punta Mita Mexico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members TerryWest Posted August 30, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I've seen George tell people to buy a Preston before buying his amazing arm as it would make a bigger difference in securing work. These people are not sales people; they are business partners and collaborators. Alec, Your right, I forgot about a story I have regarding George. When I went to see George about buying a vest way back when, I brought my Old EFP Vest with me and told him the issues I was having and that I wanted to be fit for one of his vests. He told me, "Your wearing that vest hours on end right?" yes I said. "and is it hurting you?" No I said, Then he says, " Go put buckles on it and upgrade the padding and come see me when you break the leather shoulder straps" . I was shocked, he basically talked me out of buying his vest, he saved me a bunch of money and it wasn't until I sold that vest, which I called the 76 Cadillac , because that's how it felt when I wore it, that I went straight over to Pro and finally got to be fitted for a new Pro Vest. I knew then that this company cares about the business of steadicam and not just the bottom line of money. Can't wait to see the future of Pro =} Hit em straight George and play the 3rd hole in Punta Mita Mexico I hope you enjoy your retirement George. There is not enough praise that be given to you and the changes that you made to the Steadicam industry. You can look at your accomplishments with pride as your creations continue to be used to CREATE long after they left your shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted August 31, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Congratulations to everyone and thank you so much for everything you do for all of us! Jack has the passion and love for the products and the business; we're all lucky he's the new owner. Ashley, Deb and George, good luck with whatever your new life brings your way! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Aaron Medick SOC Posted August 31, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thank you for all you've done for me and this business. Good Luck in your future endevours, George, Deb, and Ashley. Thank you and Congratulations Jack!! You'll be hearing from me. All my Best, Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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