About Us

Who are we? In a nutshell, Ford Office Technologies is a one-stop-shop for all your office technology needs. We have been family-owned and operated since 1991 and have spent the last 30 plus years working to understand what you require to help your business run more efficiently and cost-effectively. As a result, we have grown our portfolio to include everything from cloud-based phone systems to managed IT services, and printers and copiers to interactive display boards. There is nothing that we can’t provide in your technology space, which allows for a smooth and easily navigated partnership.

Why partner with Ford? Because we are one of the few companies out there that don’t make assumptions about your office environment. Not only do we listen to what your needs are, but we provide a solution that is tailored just for you.

One reason this is possible is because, as the area’s largest independent full-line authorized provider of the industry’s top-three manufacturers for copier, printer, and multi-function product (MFP) technology – Canon, Konica Minolta, and Lanier (Ricoh), we can vet each manufacturer and fit you with just the right equipment for your print needs. We aren’t constrained by product offerings like the single-line dealers are.

Additionally, our IT experts are among the best in the business. Their proactive approach to cyber security and network management means that you will rest easy at night knowing that your data is safe and secure. And our dedicated in-house help desk support means that you have someone invested in resolving your issues as though they were their own. Not an outsourced agent who is sitting half-way around the world.

Our bottom line? We value every client, whether they are the local coffee shop down the street, or a corporation with locations across the country. Our priority is to ensure that every single one is receiving the cutting-edge office technology and unparalleled customer experiences they deserve.

THE FORD OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES WAY

Positivity • Loyalty • Accountability • Innovation • Dependability
These are the core values that are the focus of our company culture that allow Ford Office Technologies to fulfill our mission every single day. Our values unite everyone toward a common goal and provide the foundation for a team environment that supports "what’s next" as we expand and grow the company, and the team. They serve as the pathway to keep us at the forefront of the industry. We work very hard to solidify the trust that has been placed in us to bring our customers the very best experiences, as well as seamless office solutions now and into the future. From the beginning, Ford’s primary focus has been the customer. We have always believed that going the extra mile to make certain that we offered an unprecedented experience was the only way to do business and that in turn, our customers would come to value Ford Office Technologies as their company of choice.

OUR HISTORY

Ford Office Technologies was founded in 1991 by John Garlow, whose desire it was to establish his business with the primary focus being unprecedented customer service and relationships founded in trust and loyalty. He named his company after his grandfather who instilled in him persistence, sustained effort, and a need for accomplishing what he set out to do. Ford’s trusted reputation in the area allowed him to take his small business from his house to our current main headquarters in Connellsville, and in recent years, the opportunity to expand to Pittsburgh and Hermitage. In February of 2018, John Garlow passed away, but his family legacy and ultimate mission will forever live on through his sons Johnathan, President & CEO, and Justin, Director of Business Development, as well as his nephew Josh Gerson, Vice President of Operations.

John Garlow Founder of Ford Office Technologies

OUR HISTORY

Ford Office Technologies was founded in 1991 by John Garlow, who’s desire it was to establish his business with the primary focus being unprecedented customer service and relationships founded in trust and loyalty. He named his company after his grandfather who instilled in him persistence, sustained effort, and a need for accomplishing what he set out to do. Ford’s trusted reputation in the area allowed him to take his small business from his house to our current main headquarters in Connellsville, and in recent years, the opportunity to expand to Pittsburgh and Hermitage. In February of 2018, John Garlow passed away, but his family legacy and ultimate mission will forever live on through his sons Johnathan, President & CEO, and Justin, Director of Business Development, as well as his nephew Josh Gerson, Vice President of Operations.

OWNERSHIP

Johnathan Garlow

Chief Executive Officer

Johnathan believes in community growth and providing employment opportunities for other young professionals. "We work with schools, local governments, law offices and small business in the Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia areas. I see the community growing, but we must market and grow outside the area. I think that young people in our area need to know of the potential of staying local – not just for employment opportunities but for the quality of life. I love the outdoors, and nothing in the region compares to, for example, the beauty of Ohiopyle." Johnathan received the Herman Buck award in 2015. The Herman Buck Award was first presented in 1974 to honor a member of the business community under the age of 45 for volunteer time and services rendered outside of their profession. In addition to helping run the family business and being a recent newlywed, Johnathan also serves on the board for many community service organizations, such as the YMCA, Westmoreland Fayette Council of the Boys Scouts of America, and Fay-Penn Economic Development Council.

OWNERSHIP

Johnathan Garlow

Chief Executive Officer

Johnathan is the President and CEO of Ford Office Technologies, a technology solutions company founded with a customer centric focus. Since joining forces with his father and company founder in 2010, Johnathan has put his efforts into evolving the company’s technology solutions. Being a Board Member of the Copier Dealers Association allows him to stay up-to-date on best practices and innovative strategies that keep Ford at the forefront of the industry. Johnathan believes that his Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering degree from Penn State has enhanced his natural ability to turn theoretical concepts into real-world applications, which is a critical component of the technology industry. His forward-thinking concepts have led to Ford’s expansion throughout western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, with future goals of expansion into eastern Ohio.

Johnathan and his wife, Kelli, love the outdoors and beauty of the Laurel Highlands area. He is passionate about supporting his local community and believes that its’ success, both economically and socially, is driven by the philanthropic involvement of community business leaders. As an Eagle Scout and member of the Westmoreland Fayette Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club, YMCA Board, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, Challenge Program Board, and Redevelopment Authority of Fayette County, Johnathan plays a very active role in supporting the area’s youth, as well as business development, in the hopes of providing future employment opportunities for the local workforce for generations to come. In 2015, Johnathan was honored to receive the Herman Buck Award for volunteerism and services rendered outside of the profession.

Josh Gerson

President

From a very young age, Josh’s passion for the copier business was evident. He spent his free time learning the inner workings of the copiers that had been taken out of commission by disassembling and categorizing every piece of the machine, and accompanied his uncle and Ford Office Technologies’ founder, John Garlow, on sales and service calls.

At the age of 17, Josh decided to proudly serve his country by enlisting in the Army. After multiple, highly decorated, combat tours in Iraq and a distinguished military career, Josh once again returned to the industry he fell in love with as a young boy. In 2015, Josh was named the Vice President of Operations and established as a co-owner of Ford Office Technologies, overseeing Ford’s managed IT, document management, and service departments, as well as the overall company policies and procedures. In 2024, Josh took on the role of President, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business.

Josh continues to serve his community through various volunteer roles that include the YMCA Board of Directors, the Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation Board of Directors, serves as Treasurer of Twin Trees, a non-profit offering services and support for people with intellectual disabilities, and also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Fayette County Career & Technical Institute’s IT program.

Josh loves spending outdoor time with his family, skiing throughout the Laurel Highlands area, and watching his children participate in sporting events. Josh also looks forward to establishing Ford Office Technologies as the dominant technology services provider in the tri-state area.

Justin Garlow

Director of Business Development

Justin Garlow has been involved with Ford Office Technologies since he was a teenager, servicing and repairing machines as well as assisting with deliveries and installs. He attended Slippery Rock University and Pittsburgh Filmmakers School before joining the service team at Ford Office Technologies and is service trained on Ricoh/Lanier equipment. He has worked on both sides of the business, service and sales, and enjoys both. Justin was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and is a 2005 graduate of Geibel High School. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Jeonghwa, and they live in Pittsburgh. Justin is very active in Rotary, is a former board member of the Downtown Pittsburgh Club, and has run multiple projects including Shoes for Nicaragua and a Kids Take the Field Day/Tailgate with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his spare time, Justin loves to golf, travel, play bocce ball, explore local breweries, and show his love for the hometown teams: the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, by attending as many games as he can.

Justin Garlow

Director of Business Development

Justin Garlow has been involved with Ford Office Technologies since he was a teenager, servicing and repairing machines as well as assisting with deliveries and installs. He attended Slippery Rock University and Pittsburgh Filmmakers School before joining the service team at Ford Office Technologies and is service trained on Ricoh/Lanier equipment. He has worked on both sides of the business, service and sales, and enjoys both. Justin was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and is a 2005 graduate of Geibel High School. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Jeonghwa, and they live in Pittsburgh. Justin is very active in Rotary, is a former board member of the Downtown Pittsburgh Club, and has run multiple projects including Shoes for Nicaragua and a Kids Take the Field Day/Tailgate with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his spare time, Justin loves to golf, travel, play bocce ball, explore local breweries, and show his love for the hometown teams: the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, by attending as many games as he can.

COMMUNITY FIRST

John Garlow believed that Ford’s success was attributable to his dedicated team of employees and loyal customer base. He believed in the meaning behind our slogan "Real People…Real Solutions" - that all employees and clients should be treated the way he himself would want to be treated: like family. John’s mission was to give back to the local community believing that it was an instrumental part of being a business owner and that it fundamentally inspired success throughout the area.

One of John’s greatest passions was giving our youth an opportunity to grow and prosper within our local community. This passion has led to our current leadership’s involvement in a wide range of youth focused programs, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Challenge Program, Intermediate Unit I, and the YMCA.

We have also incorporated an employee volunteer program that provides up to eight hours of paid volunteer time per year, allowing everyone on the team to give back to the community.

Ford Office Technologies will always be an instrumental part of facilitating the growth of our community and providing opportunities for our youth of today to see a future for tomorrow.