Bill Helland has spent the last 32 years at Integrated Building Systems directing operations and fostering a strong company culture of accountability. As a founding member of the team and Vice President, he exemplifies the company’s core values: a Can-Do-IT Attitude, a Desire to Own IT, and Pride in Doing IT Right.
“It’s a fact that some projects are strained…but if you can stick with it, work through the issues, and stay engaged, then you just might have earned a raving fan. A rough project that had a great resolution is more memorable than one where everything goes correctly the first time,” Bill explained in an interview from the company’s 30th anniversary. This quote encapsulates Bill’s work ethic and consistent desire to find the right solution, even when it’s challenging. In his tenure, this approach has helped him create long-lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.
Bill is officially retiring from Integrated Building Systems as of July 2025. In honor of this occasion, he sat down to reflect on his journey with Integrated Building Systems.
What was your career path prior to founding Integrated Building Systems?
I graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a degree in geology. I got into the oil industry in the 1980s when crude oil was in high demand. It was hard work, and it was long work. Some people would do 10 days on, 4 days off. Others would do 14 days on, 7 off.
After the oil market collapsed in the late 1980s, I wanted to change courses, and I was able to get a job at a technology integration company. There, I met Al and Chip Chapman, and they had the idea of branching off and forming our own business to offer more services: what eventually became Integrated Building Systems. This new company would be a one-stop shop for technology integration consulting, design, planning, installation, and maintenance. I was excited about the opportunity to be my own boss at a small business where I could be proud of my work.
So, I made the jump to join Al and Chip to go on this adventure.
What was your favorite part about working for the company?
One of my favorite aspects of Integrated Building Systems is its dedication to building long lasting relationships with clients. I always describe myself as “not a people person,” but I admire those relationships. Mutual understanding and respect between business and client is crucial to the success of a business.
As a hands-on kind of guy, I really enjoy tinkering around and finding solutions. I like solving problems and finding the best team to get work done. We have a lot of people with expertise in different areas. It’s good to know that you have a team you can do that with.
What are you most looking forward to in your retirement?
My wife is worried about what I’m going to do when I retire. There’s only so much tinkering you can do around the house before you go nuts. I’m sure she has a list of things for me to work on, which will take a while.
But I also want to visit some old friends of mine that have also retired. There was never really a good time to do that before. I play pickleball about once a year – maybe I’ll get into that some more… and an exercise routine. I never had time for that either. I’d have to get up at 3 in the morning for that.
My wife and I recently purchased an RV that we want to use to explore and camp around. She really wants to travel and now I have all this time to support my her and what she wants to do. I have a daughter that lives out in Seattle – it’s always fun to visit her.
What do you hope Integrated Building Systems will look like in 10 years?
Well, I hope that the company will continue to grow, make strong relationships with clients, keep a positive impact on the community, and support clients and staff. Integrated Building Systems is like a family: you want to help each other grow and make sure everyone has the best quality of life.
For a business to be successful, you have to be successful in supporting your clients and your staff, professionally and personally.
If you could give one message to your team, what would it be?
Get ‘er done. That’s what I always say. It’s just like our core values. I’ve always been a logistical thinker. I want to think through problems, find the best team of people to tackle the issue, and solve the problem as efficiently as possible. “Get ‘er done” has become a personal motto of mine over the years, and I hope the team will continue to keep that mindset after I retire.
Chip [Chapman, Integrated Building Systems President] will tell you that I’ve always been a pessimist, but I’ve learned to look at the positive things. I plan for the worst and hope for the best. It’s important to keep a positive mindset and keep a smile on your face because it can make all the difference to those around you.
Think happy smile. Thinking positively helps, I think, both your mental and physical health.
And a Note from the President…
“Bill is like a big brother to me. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bill for over 37 years.
He has been the Ying to my Yang especially over the past 17 years since we bought out my Dad. He is the wingman you want beside you. You’ll never find a harder worker or more determined problem solver and we will miss him in so many ways, some of which we have may not even fully realized yet. But he has earned it, he deserves it and now he needs to go enjoy his retirement with his wife, Laura. But hopefully he will drop by now and then to keep us on our toes.” - Chip Chapman, Integrated Building Systems President
The work that Bill has done for Integrated Building Systems and the impact he had on the work environment is irreplaceable. We are thankful for his years of experience and will miss him dearly. Congratulations, Bill!
Though our Vice President is retiring and will no longer receive business communications, President Chip Chapman remains and will continue to be a point of contact. If you have any questions about Bill’s active projects, please call office (614) 240-5999 or email info@ibswebsite.com. For service, call (614) 340-2770 or email service@ibswebsite.com.