FOUNDER'S STORY

Mr. Francois P. Joubert, Founder

Mr. Francois P. Joubert was born in 1934 in the diamond-mining town of Kimberly, South Africa, where his family had lived for nearly two hundred years. Mr. Joubert spent much of his life as a missionary, living and working among the tribes of Central Africa. In 1968, Francois and his wife Lillian, along with their three small children, left South Africa with only three suitcases, a trunk of personal items and $200 cash. They embarked on an adventure to the United States, even though they had no friends or relatives living there. They traveled by sea, to Mobile, Alabama, and lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for two years, before moving to St. Louis, in 1970.

One spring morning in 1985, Mr. Joubert awoke convinced that he could start a commercial cleaning business. Mr. Joubert wanted to create a company in which people could realize their full potential. He believed he could provide people a decent wage, quality health insurance, performance incentives and opportunities for personal and professional growth; the company's potential for success would be limitless.

In April 1985, he advised his employer that he was resigning to begin this new business. Upon returning home that day, he shared his news with Lillian and son Frank. He told them he wanted to build a company that truly valued people, and would provide those people with opportunities. Needless to say Lillian and Frank were supportive, but having limited funds, were puzzled how this would be possible. They had no clients, no equipment, no office, and no money, yet they initiated the start up from a bedroom, in their home. Francois was a man that never let fear or doubt deter his faith, and was positive that all would work out.

That same day, Mr. Joubert went to a small bank in Clayton, Missouri, where he had made the acquaintance of the bank manager some years earlier. He proudly marched up to the banker's desk and reintroduced himself. Recognizing Mr. Joubert, the manager asked if he was there to open an account. Mr. Joubert responded, "I am here to start a cleaning company and I want this bank to be my first customer."

The Bank Manager was a bit startled but then laughed out loud. In her typewriter was a partially completed cancellation notice to her present cleaning contractor. She explained that she was actually looking for a new cleaning contractor and asked how soon he could begin. Francois stated that he could begin immediately. The bank manager told Mr. Joubert to bring a contract by within the next few days, and she would consider him.

Arriving at home, Francois shared his incredible story with Lillian and Frank. Together, Francois and Frank set about preparing a contract proposal for the bank. Two days later, Frank and Francois presented their first ever proposal, which was accepted on March 1, 1985. A long time veteran of the cleaning industry and friend of Francois', Mr. Larry Cooke loaned the Jouberts enough cleaning equipment and a desk to get the business started.

For two years, the family worked as hands-on cleaners at the bank. During that time, the bank added two new branches and allowed the Jouberts to grow with them. Their hard work, unwavering faith, and absolute integrity were resulting in growth of the business.

During the day, Francois and Frank would work on expanding the customer base, and at night, they would clean each of the accounts. In 1989, the Jouberts landed their first major facility. Determined to grow within, and promote the community in which they lived, they set up a small two-room office on Hampton Avenue and encouraged their oldest son, John, to join the company. John moved his family to St. Louis, and the company began to experience significant growth. After expanding numerous times within their initial office complex, by 1995, they had outgrown the facility and began looking for another. Centaur purchased a facility on Hampton Avenue in St. Louis City, totaling 6,000 sq. ft. Within two years, they had outgrown this building too. Still determined to stay within the city limits where the majority of their employee's lived, they purchased a dilapidated 12,000 square foot warehouse/office building in the Bevo Neighborhood of St. Louis, with the intention of bringing new economic life to the community.

In 1994, Mr. Joubert learned that he was suffering from an illness that ultimately took him from his family in 1998. Mr. Joubert was an active Minister until his death, and was a man of exceptional faith. In 1994, Lillian Joubert became Chairman of the Company, Frank P. Joubert, became President and John Q. Joubert, became Executive Vice President of Centaur Building Services, Inc. In 2003, Janine Joubert-Dulay, the youngest of the three Joubert children, joined the company as Director Of Quality Assurance and Customer Service. The family has jointly set out to fulfill the dream Mr. Joubert began as the result of his faith. We are proud to be one of the largest Janitorial companies in the St. Louis area, and the largest Woman Owned janitorial company in the Midwest.

Locally-owned Centaur Building Services, Inc. employs more than 1,100 employees. Centaur is extremely active in the predominantly Bosnian and Hispanic communities where our corporate offices are located. We are proud to carry on the traditions set in place by our founder, and enjoy contributing to the success of our community through: