About Us
Serving South Louisiana Since 1952
As a Linc Service Contractor, our preventative maintenance plans, rooted in commitment and expertise, go beyond the traditional failure-centric model, ensuring reduced costs, enhanced comfort and improved system reliability. With decades of experience, we deliver tailored HVAC solutions through design-build, energy management, explosion-proof systems and building automation services, offering a single point of accountability for seamless operations. We flip the paradigm by focusing on proactive strategies that maximize efficiency and value, providing you with unmatched service and peace of mind.
70+ Years of Excellence
Star Service was established in 1952 by William Miller in Baton Rouge. Initially, the company was a traditional mechanical contracting firm focused on installing air conditioning systems in commercial buildings. Miller’s sons, Mike and Robert, transitioned into ownership and operating the company in the 1980s. A major shift from new construction to servicing existing systems was ushered in with the company entering into a franchise agreement with Linc, a franchisor with over 150 franchises worldwide. Linc provided the business systems, training and service offerings needed to grow into a mechanical service contractor.Â
Our Journey
Early 1950sFounding of Star Service
Star Service was founded by William J. Miller, Michael and Robert Miller’s father and his business partner. Back then, the company was small, focusing primarily on residential air conditioning and installation work. In fact, we were among the first to install central AC in many Baton Rouge homes. With just 5 or 6 employees, Star Service was rooted in quality, family values and a commitment to doing the job right.Late 1960s Miller Family Takes Full Ownership
As Star Service continued to grow, William J. Miller bought out his partner, officially bringing the business fully into the Miller family. This was a turning point, setting the stage for the next generation to take the reins.1972Michael Miller Joins Star Service
Michael Miller graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) and joined the family business, starting out by learning the ropes alongside his father. It wasn’t long before he stepped into leadership, helping to guide Star Service through a critical period of growth in the construction industry.Mid-1970sMichael Miller Becomes President
In his mid-20s, Michael officially took over as president. With his father, William, still around to lend advice, Michael led the company with the same values of quality and integrity that had been there from the beginning. During this time, Star Service was heavily involved in the construction market, but the winds of change were on the horizon.Early 1980sRobert Miller Joins and Service Focus Begins
Robert Miller graduated from LSU and began work in the new Service Department, which he managed. During this time, the oil crash hit hard, and the construction market faced a major downturn. But instead of compromising on quality or taking risky jobs, Star Service made a bold move—we shifted our focus from construction to service and maintenance. This was the moment that truly defined our future.1984Partnership with LINC Corporation Transforms Business Model
We partnered with LINC Corporation, which was a game-changer for Star Service. It helped us transition into a new, maintenance-based business model—where we took responsibility for keeping our customers’ air conditioning systems running smoothly. If something went wrong, we covered the cost of the repairs. This unique approach allowed us to grow stronger and build long-term relationships with our customers, providing peace of mind and reliable service.Late 1980sExpansion into Jackson, Mississippi
Our first major expansion came with the purchase of a company in Jackson, Mississippi. We rebranded it as Star Service, Inc. Jackson, and that location is still going strong today.Early 1990sNew Locations in New Orleans and Lafayette
We didn’t stop there. We added another location in New Orleans, and shortly after, we expanded into Lafayette. These new locations helped us serve even more communities across the Gulf Coast region.Late 1990sStar Service Expands to Mobile, Alabama
We opened Star Service, Inc. in Mobile, Alabama, further extending our reach and bringing our high-quality, maintenance-based service model to new markets.Early 2000sExpansion to Lake Charles and Houston
Our expansion continued as we brought Lake Charles, Louisiana and Houston, Texas into the Star Service family. Each new location was built on the same foundation of trust, reliability and quality that’s been at the heart of our business from day one.2002Brit Miller Joins Star Service
Brit Miller, son of Michael Miller, joined the United States Marine Cops immediately following graduating from high school. After 4 years of active duty, Brit enrolled into LSU and graduated in Construction Management. This marked the end of working summers at Star and began working full time at the office. He started out in sales but after a few years transitioned to the operations side of the business.2005Automation and Building Controls Department Added
We added the Automation and Building Controls department, enhancing our ability to provide more comprehensive and efficient HVAC solutions for our clients.2010sConnor Miller Joins Star Service
Connor Miller, son of Robert Miller, graduated from LSU in December 2015 and began working full-time at Star Service in 2016. His journey, much like Brit’s, was rooted in learning the family business from a young age. The two both worked at Star Service throughout their high school and college years.2019Focus on Legacy Business
Michael and Robert MIller sold the Houston, New Orleans, Jackson and Mobile locations in order to focus on the legacy business to pass down and keep in the family.Present Day
Today, we continue to operate in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, providing the same trusted service that’s become our legacy. Our focus remains on delivering top-notch service to the communities we know and love along the Louisiana I-10 corridor. Star Service now handles more business in a week than we did in a year back when Michael first started in 1972, and that’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and integrity we’ve built over generations. The transition to the 3rd generation is already underway, with Brit and Connor Miller leading the team, ensuring that our legacy continues.