Elliot Germany

Elliot Germany is the President and CEO of Panel Specialists, Inc. (PSI), a manufacturer specializing in institutional, commercial and marine interior furniture and wall protection systems in Temple, TX. He is also a highly decorated Gulf War Veteran and retired Non-Commissioned Officer, having served in the U.S. Army & Texas Army National Guard.

At just 17 years old, Elliot left his home in Plaquemine, Louisiana to join the military as a logistician and computer technician. He traveled to places all over the world, from Germany to the Persian Gulf. Eventually, he landed in Fort Hood in 1996.

Elliot joined the Texas Army National Guard and attended school at Central Texas College and Texas A&M University – Central Texas. He began working as a network technician at PSI and initially thought he would move on to another town, but stayed in the area thanks to the abundant opportunities that he found here.

At PSI, Elliot quickly moved up from network technician to IT Manager, Director of IT, Director of Operations and finally his current position as President and CEO in 2009. He is proud to work for a company with an important mission.

“What we do is an integral part of who we are – our vision at PSI is to enrich lives through enhancing the environment in which people live, learn, heal, work and play. We produce everything from furniture for K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals to products for oil rigs, work vessels, cruise ships and airports.”

The company was named 2019 Small Business of the Year by Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, and also received the 2019 Architectural Woodwork Institute’s Federated Insurance Safety Award.

“Hospitals are focused on dramatically improving in appearance, as well as overall healthcare standards. In today’s hospitals and clinics, you might find beautiful artwork, lots of colors, and even Disney characters in the children’s ward. Recovering from illness is just as much mental as it is physical, and we believe people can heal faster if they feel better about the environment, which is why our products are both functional and decorative.”

Elliot highlights Workforce Solutions of Central Texas as a great Veterans’ Assistance Program. Many soldiers transition out of Fort Hood into the workforce, and Elliot has hired plenty of veterans in various roles at PSI, from management to the shop floor. Another thing he loves about Temple is the community.

“Leaders in Temple do a phenomenal job taking care of the community – local partners are constantly working hand-in-hand to improve Temple. People here are concerned about every member of the community. I think that’s a wonderful thing about Temple: we take care of each other.”

Elliot’s wife Pamela also works in Temple, and the couple are both tied to their military roots. They live in a community of veterans, which provides them with great benefits and many close friends who have shared similar experiences.

“You live here long enough, and you can’t help but fall in love. It’s sweet little gem of a spot to be in. Life is more laid back here. It’s hard to get that in other cities. In Temple, you can drive home from work in a matter of minutes and spend more time with your family.”

Elliot and Pamela have two children: a son who recently exited the U.S. Airforce and now lives and works in Germany, and a daughter who attends college at UT San Antonio. Elliot’s favorite thing about living in Bell County is the people. Neighbors are friendly and take care of each other. The area has grown more diverse, and Elliot says that Fort Hood has contributed to that diversity.

“On a daily basis, it’s not uncommon to bump into someone from Germany, Italy, North Carolina, Atlanta or California. Being so close to Fort Hood has made this area a melting pot of people from all over the world. People pretty much live in harmony here, and our differences bring us closer together.”

On the weekends, Elliot does a little bit of everything. When he’s not spending time with family, he loves to volunteer in his community, working with programs like E4 for Youth. He is also a musician, poet, and a DJ – you can find him DJing away at weddings around town.

Elliot also serves on boards and advisory councils for Markel Ventures & PSI, the Temple Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Temple, BS&W McLane Children’s Hospital, UMHB McLane College of Business, the Temple Education Foundation, the Wildcat Workforce Advisory Council, United Way of Central Texas, and the AUSA Board of Governors.