GEORGE SHIELDS

GEORGE SHIELDS is now manager of Johnstone Supply’s Syracuse branch on Canal Street. He had previously managed the Rochester branch since 2013. Before joining Johnstone, Shields managed a Goodman-owned wholesale distribution center in Maryland. Goodman is Johnstone’s major furnace and air conditioning brand. Before turning to wholesaling, Shields spent 20 years in retail management with a number of leading national big box chains. He also owned his own flooring company for five years. Shields began transitioning to his new position when longtime manager Bob Spanfelner, who had managed the branch since it opened in 2002, announced his retirement. Shields notes that Spanfelner found out quickly that full-time retirement wasn’t for him and he now works for the branch a few days a week as an outside sales representative. Shields earned an associate degree from American International University and is completing his bachelor’s degree.