Advanced Vertical Solutions, LLC D.B.A. AVS Elevator is built on the life long experience as a 4th generation native Oregonian and 2nd generation elevator constructor. Frank A. Stalen and his father Paul J. Stalen have spent their elevator careers and lives in the City of Portland, contributing to its local communities. Their combined Oregon history brings AVS Elevator an in-depth study of the elevator industry dating back to the early 1950‘s and an understanding of its place in our ever growing economy and local communities. The birth of AVS Elevator came from a steady decline of the service offered by the industry as a whole. For example, the annual service work load for the average elevator constructor has elevated from approximately 50 elevators to 300 per man and growing. Safety, reliability and customer service has been marginalized as profit taking and ever growing overhead percentages drive the work loads of the elevator constructors beyond the breaking point by the industry conglomerates. “We have set out to bring you an alternative choice and to fill a void in the industry.” In developing our business plan with Mercy Corps Northwest. We set out to establish a sustainble company with a diverse and community focused workforce. We recognize that a diverse work force provides differing and complementary perspectives, and also provides diverse support in each of our employee’s community they reside. This is an important pillar of our culture to understand and to provide value to our employees beyond a paycheck and to contribute to our respective communities we live in. A benefit of being a local, family owned business, we have the ability to set this culture by example and provide the time employees need to foster the culture of giving. AVS Elevator organized in October 2009 on these foundations. We are not interested in being just another elevator company. Ou r commitment to manageable work loads, and giving our elevator constructors owner ship of their