In 1972, Ed Brown joined the pipefitters apprentice program straight out of high school. He worked alongside his father, Bill, who had become the sole owner of the company. This marked the beginning of a second generation deeply rooted in the building automation industry.
As the industry evolved, CSC stayed closely connected to emerging technologies. In the 1980s, distributed digital control (DDC) systems began reshaping building automation worldwide. CSC was well-positioned to adapt as these systems gained traction.
A major milestone came in 1989 when Bill Brown signed a distribution agreement with Automated Logic Corporation (ALC). CSC became ALC’s 15th Authorized Dealer in the United States. That same year, Ed Brown took ownership of the company and began leading CSC into the digital era.
The 1990s brought industry-wide standardization with the development and adoption of BACnet. CSC embraced these changes early. In 1995, Automated Logic awarded CSC the President’s Award for being the top-performing field office. That same year, BACnet was officially adopted as ASHRAE Standard 135.
The early 2000s marked a period of rapid growth and recognition. Automated Logic introduced WebCTRL in 2000, transforming building automation with web-based access. CSC quickly adopted the platform.
In 2003, CSC earned Project of the Year for its work on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. One year later, the company consolidated into a 12,000-square-foot facility in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. CSC also secured its first million-dollar project with the Kansas City Star.
In 2006, Fort Leavenworth selected CSC and Automated Logic as its standard BAS platform. This partnership reinforced CSC’s reputation in large-scale, mission-critical environments.
A leadership transition followed in 2008, when ownership passed from Ed Brown to Mike Riley and John Crownhart. Together, they brought more than 50 years of building automation experience and set a new growth trajectory. That same year, CSC was selected for the $375 million Arrowhead Stadium renovation.
CSC continued expanding its capabilities throughout the 2010s. Lighting controls were added in 2009, followed by security systems and structured cabling in 2016. These additions allowed CSC to deliver fully integrated building technology solutions.
Major clients followed. In 2012, Cerner (now Oracle) selected CSC for its Legends Campus. By 2013, the company welcomed its 50th employee. In 2015, CSC expanded into southern Missouri by opening a Springfield office.
Automated Logic named CSC Dealer of the Year in 2017. That same year, CSC broke ground on a new 25,000-square-foot Kansas City headquarters and training facility.
By 2025, CSC reached another milestone with its 100th employee. The company secured bid contracts covering the entire state of Kansas and broke ground on a new office in Manhattan, Kansas.
From a home-based operation to a regional leader in building automation, the history of Control Service Company reflects steady growth, innovation, and service. As CSC continues expanding across Missouri and Kansas, its focus remains the same: delivering smart, reliable, and future-ready building solutions backed by decades of expertise.
