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Dillon Gorman: Driven by Growth

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

For Dillon Gorman, working in his family’s business has come full circle. Over time, what once felt like “just another job” with Save Energy Company has evolved into a meaningful career where he plays a key role in guiding operations and shaping the customer experience.

Dillon’s introduction to the window and door industry started long before he considered it a career. “This is a family business, so I’ve been in and out since I was a teenager,” he says. “I was even doing little tasks like licking envelopes when I was a kid.”

Founded in 1983 by his father, John Gorman, Save Energy Company has been a constant presence in Dillon’s life. However, like many teenagers, he initially sought his own path. After working a variety of jobs in his late teens and early 20s, he found his way back to the family business nearly a decade ago, this time with a new perspective and appreciation for the work.

In his younger years, Dillon says working alongside his father wasn’t always easy. “It wasn’t great when I was a teenager—I was a bit of a hothead, so we butted heads. But I love the guy. We have a lot of mutual respect now and we can meet each other on the same ground, so it’s great.”

Dillon currently serves as production manager for Save Energy Company, where he oversees daily operations and keeps projects running smoothly by acting as a bridge between the field technicians and the office staff. “It’s a bit of a juggle because I’m dealing with the crews, the office and the salespeople, but I like it,” he says. “I used to be on the crews, so I understand what it takes to do the job.”

Throughout the workday, Dillon focuses on problem-solving and keeping things on track, whether that means addressing challenges in the field or stepping in to help with office tasks. He also enjoys working directly with customers, especially those who visit the company’s Petaluma showroom. “I really like when people pop in because I can talk them through what we have to offer,” he says.

Dillon’s greatest passion lies in improving processes and creating better experiences for both customers and his team. He enjoys finding new solutions that streamline operations and allow people to focus on what truly matters. “Things can be tedious these days, so I’m just trying to be respectful of people’s time,” he shares. “If we can automate the busywork, it gives them more space to actually think, innovate and come up with better ways of doing things.”

Dillon was born and raised in Petaluma, where he still lives with his wife, Lydia, and their two children, Maya and Ronan. He says the area’s strong sense of community and access to nature make it a special place to call home. “We’re just 30 minutes from the beach, 45 minutes from San Francisco and a few hours from Yosemite, so we’re very fortunate.”

Outside of work, Dillon spends much of his free time cooking and exploring local restaurants with his wife. He’s also passionate about music and plays the drums in a band called Vaso Vagal. “That’s my big thing,” he says. He regularly plays in a home studio he built with friends and occasionally performs at local venues like Ernie’s Tin Bar, a unique spot known for its no-phones policy that encourages conversation and connection.

Dillon believes in staying present, working as a team and focusing on what can be controlled. Drawing inspiration from “The Power of Now,” he emphasizes the importance of being mindful while also recognizing the need to stay productive and forward-thinking. “It takes everybody to make big things happen—you can’t do it alone,” he offers. “Know your strengths, show up and rely on your team. You can’t control everything that happens, but you can control how you respond.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q:  The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?
A: The Rolling Stones, but I’m more of a Led Zeppelin guy.

Q: If you could immediately master any instrument, what would it be?
A: Obviously I’d want to master the drums because I don’t have enough time to practice, but other than that, probably guitar or bass.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee. It hits stronger with the kids.

Q: What was the best gift you’ve ever received?
A: When I was a kid,  I got a really nice camera. My dad paid for half of it and I saved up for the other half. It was a big deal because of how hard I had to work to get it.

Q: If you could immediately travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would go to the Dolomites in Italy and do a hut-to-hut backpacking route known as the “Iron Way.” It’s a bucket list adventure that I’d love to try, even if I end up doing it on my own.