Every challenge.
Everything we’ve got.
For over 100 years, we’ve been practicing our craft: the design and construction of custom elevators, material lifts, cranes and collapsable gates. At Gillespie, no two days are alike, because no two projects are alike.
We are consummate professionals who rise to each and every occasion. Every one-of-a-kind challenge stokes our imagination, and we are undeterred by the inevitable setbacks. In fact, roadblocks firm our resolve.
At the end of each day, we feel immensely proud knowing we put everything we’ve got into everything we design and make. And for us, there’s no greater measure of success.
Our Team
Gary West, President and Owner
"We usually figure it out. That's the fun part, being the company that can."
Gary became the third owner of Gillespie Corporation in 2000, taking the helm of a company with more than a century of history and a reputation for solving complex vertical transportation challenges. Under his leadership, Gillespie has continued to evolve while remaining true to the principles that have defined the company for generations: engineering excellence, exceptional craftsmanship, and a willingness to take on the projects others won't.
Gary believes that great companies are built by great people. His leadership philosophy is rooted in trust, respect, and empowering employees to do their best work. He gives his team the freedom to think creatively, solve problems, and take ownership of their ideas, creating an environment where engineers, craftsmen, and project managers can continually grow. The loyalty and longevity of the Gillespie team are a reflection of that culture, with many employees dedicating decades of their careers to the company.
For Gary, every difficult project represents an opportunity. Whether it's developing a custom solution for a historic building, designing equipment for a challenging existing space, or engineering something that has never been built before, he believes innovation begins by asking, "How can we make it work?" That mindset has helped establish Gillespie as a trusted partner for architects, consultants, contractors, and building owners seeking solutions where others see obstacles.
More than 25 years after becoming owner, Gary continues to lead with the same curiosity and determination that first drew him to the business—building a company where people enjoy coming to work, customers know they can count on honest answers, and every challenge is another opportunity to create something exceptional.
Greg Thompson, Vice President and Partner
"It's family first, then health, then the job. I believe that, and I think people feel it when they work here.”
Over the past 17 years, Greg Thompson has played a pivotal role in transforming Gillespie Corporation from a respected custom elevator manufacturer into an organization capable of delivering thousands of projects across the United States and internationally. As Vice President and Partner, he oversees sales, engineering, production, and purchasing, ensuring every department works together with the efficiency and precision required to support one of the largest active portfolios in the industry—more than 10,000 elevator and lift installations.
Greg's vision has never been about changing what made Gillespie successful. Instead, he has focused on strengthening it. By introducing lean manufacturing principles, investing in scalable processes, and continually refining how the company operates, he has dramatically expanded Gillespie's capacity while preserving the craftsmanship, flexibility, and customer service that define the company. His leadership has helped fuel sustained growth in sales, strengthened customer relationships, and positioned Gillespie to successfully execute increasingly complex projects around the world.
Just as importantly, Greg has helped reshape the organization from the inside out. He has built systems that empower departments to work together more effectively, developed future leaders by sharing responsibility and knowledge, and fostered a culture where continuous improvement is part of every project. The result is a company that is stronger, more responsive, and better equipped to serve customers than at any point in its history.
For Greg, however, success has always been measured by more than numbers. Whether mentoring the next generation of leaders, building lifelong relationships throughout the elevator industry, or supporting employees through every stage of life, he believes great companies are built by investing in people first. That philosophy has become a defining part of Gillespie's culture and one of the reasons customers and employees continue to place their trust in the company year after year.
Samantha Gallo, National Sales Manager
"I've never turned down a chance to learn something new here, and they've never stopped giving me the chance."
Samantha joined Gillespie eight years ago and quickly immersed herself in every aspect of the business. What began as an opportunity to learn the elevator industry soon became a passion for mastering it. From estimating and design to engineering coordination, code compliance, project management, manufacturing, and finance, she embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and understanding of the business.
Today, as National Sales Manager, Samantha works with architects, consultants, contractors, owners, and end users across the country to develop custom vertical transportation solutions for some of the industry's most challenging applications. Her extensive technical knowledge, combined with a deep understanding of the manufacturing process, allows her to guide projects from the earliest concept discussions through proposal development with confidence and precision.
Known for her hands-on approach and commitment to continuous learning, Samantha has built a reputation as a trusted resource for customers and colleagues alike. Whether she's solving a complex code challenge, developing a custom elevator solution, or helping a customer navigate a difficult project, she's committed to finding the right answer and delivering a successful outcome.
Yakov Mikhlin, Senior Design Engineer
"I'm trusted to do my work. And after 35 years, I still get excited every time something comes through that's never been done before."
For more than 35 years, Yakov has been the engineering force behind some of Gillespie's most complex and technically demanding projects. While many manufacturers shy away from challenges that fall outside conventional design, Yakov thrives on them. He has built a reputation for solving problems that others in the industry simply won't take on, transforming seemingly impossible concepts into practical, reliable, and code-compliant solutions.
His approach extends far beyond engineering calculations. Yakov immerses himself in every challenge, researching code requirements, evaluating constructability, considering long-term serviceability, and working through countless design iterations until every detail has been proven. He refuses to accept a solution simply because it works on paper—it has to be feasible to manufacture, practical to install, dependable to operate, and built to stand the test of time.
That relentless pursuit of excellence has made Yakov one of Gillespie's greatest technical assets. His creativity, determination, and depth of knowledge continue to push the boundaries of what custom elevator engineering can accomplish, allowing customers to solve challenges they often believed had no solution. Even after three and a half decades, what motivates him most is the opportunity to tackle something that has never been done before—and to find a way to make it work.
John Linsley, Engineer
"Everybody gets the freedom to be creative here; one reason Gillespie is a great place to build a long career."
John joined Gillespie in 1988 expecting it to be a short stop in his career. Nearly four decades later, he remains one of the company's most experienced engineers, having helped design thousands of custom elevator and lift systems that are operating throughout North America and beyond.
Throughout his career, John has embraced the challenges that define Gillespie. While many manufacturers rely on standardized products, he has spent decades engineering one-of-a-kind solutions for projects that demand creativity, technical expertise, and thoughtful problem-solving. Whether developing a completely new design or adapting equipment to fit an existing space, John has always enjoyed finding practical answers to complex engineering challenges.
His experience extends far beyond the drawing board. Having witnessed the company's evolution over nearly 40 years, John has helped refine engineering practices, mentor fellow engineers, and contribute to the collaborative culture that continues to define Gillespie today. His depth of knowledge and steady approach make him a trusted resource for both customers and colleagues alike.
What has kept John at Gillespie for so many years is the freedom to innovate. Every project presents a new opportunity to think differently, solve a unique challenge, and build something that has never been built before. That constant variety—and the opportunity to create custom solutions that other manufacturers won't attempt—continues to make engineering at Gillespie as rewarding today as it was when he first walked through the door.
Ryan Burque, Engineer
“I appreciate that Gillespie has trusted me with more responsibility every step of the way.”
Since joining Gillespie in 2021, Ryan has grown into one of the company's most versatile engineers, earning a reputation for taking ownership of every challenge that comes his way. Immersing himself in design, engineering, drafting, and 3D modeling, he has played a key role in developing and delivering many of the custom elevator and lift systems that are now operating successfully across the country.
Ryan's impact extends well beyond the engineering office. He works closely with installers in the field, providing technical support, troubleshooting complex issues, and developing practical solutions that keep projects moving forward. His ability to bridge the gap between engineering and installation ensures that every design can be successfully built, installed, and supported long after it leaves the factory.
Always looking for ways to improve, Ryan has also dedicated countless hours to refining Gillespie's manufacturing processes. By identifying components that could be more efficiently produced by specialized suppliers, he has helped streamline production, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve overall efficiency without compromising the quality or craftsmanship the company is known for.
What drives Ryan is the opportunity to keep building something better—whether that's a custom engineering solution for a customer, a smarter manufacturing process, or a way to make installation easier for the field. His willingness to embrace new challenges and continuously improve has made him an invaluable member of the engineering team and an important part of Gillespie's continued growth.
Logan Bernier, Engineer
“Everybody pitches in here, and that's what makes Gillespie such a supportive place to work and to grow.”
Logan first joined Gillespie as an engineering intern during his senior year of college, and it quickly became clear that he was someone we wanted on our team. His analytical mindset, technical aptitude, and natural engineering ability stood out from day one. What began as a short internship turned into a full-time career, where he has continued to impress by taking on increasingly complex engineering challenges with confidence.
Logan has immersed himself in every aspect of product development, from design, drafting, and 3D modeling to engineering calculations, structural analysis, and product optimization. He enjoys diving into the complex equations behind every design, challenging conventional approaches, and finding opportunities to improve the performance, efficiency, and manufacturability of our equipment. His ability to pair strong analytical thinking with practical engineering solutions has already made a meaningful impact on our products.
Beyond engineering, Logan works closely with our sales and estimating teams, helping develop more efficient design workflows, improve quoting accuracy, and streamline engineering processes. His knowledge of modern engineering software and advanced design tools continues to elevate the way Gillespie develops custom elevator and lift systems.
As Gillespie continues to grow, Logan represents the next generation of engineering leadership. His passion for innovation, commitment to continuous improvement, and drive to challenge the status quo are helping shape the future of our products—developing smarter, more efficient solutions that continue to raise the bar for quality, performance, and reliability throughout the industry.
Contact us to discuss your project. We love a challenge.
Call us at 413-967-4980
Email us at Sales@GillespieCorp.com