Our History

Lifelong Alaskans John Fortner and Eric Persson met under some unusual circumstances in 1985. At that time John worked with MCC Powers as a Project Manager and Eric at Johnson Controls as their Pipefitter General Foreman. Eric had recently met John’s sister and she suggested they go to “her brother’s company picnic” and meet him and his co workers. As they approached the picnic Eric noticed the paper plate signs with arrows and “MCCP” written on them. He wondered if that acronym was for his competition (MCC Powers) but then, what were the odds that this was where they were going. Sure enough it was and there Eric and John met for the first time. The odd part was that Eric brought a watermelon to the picnic that they later heard an emergency radio report warning of “tainted and possibly poisonous watermelons recently discovered at Carrs grocery”. Just imagine the surprise Eric was met with as he was assumed to be a saboteur wielding a poisonous watermelon. Well, regardless of that comical start John and Eric soon learned they had a lot in common beyond their professions and became good friends often talking “shop” about their industry. Years later they realized their ambitions to bring a “different business model” to Alaska’s Building Automation Systems market. With encouragement of family and friends, they solidified their idea for “the ideal controls company” by starting Meridian Systems, Inc. Wanting to focus on what they were best at (Direct Digital Controls) and determined to offer the best product they could find, their 3 primary goals were to offer a product that was intuitive and easy to use, one with an open protocol philosophy, and one whose manufacturer was committed to supporting their representatives and customers. They found all three with Automated Logic Corporation and signed their Dealer Agreement in November of 1997 allowing them exclusive rights to the state of Alaska. Since those early days of modest revenues (and some sleepless nights wondering where the next paycheck would come from) Meridian has built itself a strong cliental of satisfied customers who enjoy the Automated Logic products and Meridian’s commitment to customer satisfaction. With well over $15 million in installed base, 12 employees and installation subcontracts employing 8 full time electricians Meridian Systems has experienced great success over these past 12 years. John, Eric and all of Meridian Systems’ employees would also like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this “success story”. *This story was featured in the January 2010 issue of Hot Gas Bypass (Alaska Chapter of ASHRAE’s monthly newsletter)