David began working at Bowles & Edens Supply Company, selling water and sewer products. Ironically, his high school counselor had told him he was “least likely to succeed” as a salesman — yet he quickly proved otherwise.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, David founded his first business, Mechanical Seals and Packing, from the garage of his family home.

Construction was completed on a new distribution facility, later becoming Rainstopper’s manufacturing headquarters.

The company patented and manufactured the first HDPE Rainstopper.

David’s daughter, Dorcas Neathery, founded WBE Dorcas, Inc., a successful distributor for Rainstopper.

David began mentoring the next generation. Alexandra Ellis joined in 2016, learning the business from the ground up. Jordan Ellis and Harry Hermes IV, David’s grandsons, followed in 2017, continuing the family tradition of hands-on leadership and preparing for the next chapter of company growth.

Southwestern Packing & Seals officially became Rainstopper. The company carried forward David’s philosophy of simplicity, value, and relationships, solving I&I challenges with fresh energy from the next generation.

David began working at Bowles & Edens Supply Company, selling water and sewer products. Ironically, his high school counselor had told him he was “least likely to succeed” as a salesman — yet he quickly proved otherwise.

David excelled in selling a new line of pump seals and packing, establishing himself as a rising force in the industry.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, David founded his first business, Mechanical Seals and Packing, from the garage of his family home.

David co-founded East Texas Service, providing PVC pipe and fittings to water and sewer contractors. That same year, he launched Southwestern Packing & Seals, the company that would eventually evolve into Rainstopper.

Construction was completed on a new distribution facility, later becoming Rainstopper’s manufacturing headquarters.

Southwestern Packing & Seals celebrated its first million-dollar month.

The company patented and manufactured the first HDPE Rainstopper.

East Texas Service was sold so the family could focus entirely on Southwestern Packing & Seals. Soon after, stainless-steel Rainstoppers entered production, cementing the company’s reputation for quality and innovation.

David’s daughter, Dorcas Neathery, founded WBE Dorcas, Inc., a successful distributor for Rainstopper.

Southwestern Packing & Seals and WBE Dorcas introduced manhole rehabilitation products, expanding into solutions for both inflow and infiltration.

David began mentoring the next generation. Alexandra Ellis joined in 2016, learning the business from the ground up. Jordan Ellis and Harry Hermes IV, David’s grandsons, followed in 2017, continuing the family tradition of hands-on leadership and preparing for the next chapter of company growth.

After David’s passing in April, Dorcas rejoined the company to help carry her father’s vision forward.

Southwestern Packing & Seals officially became Rainstopper. The company carried forward David’s philosophy of simplicity, value, and relationships, solving I&I challenges with fresh energy from the next generation.

Harry Hermes IV, David’s grandson, now serves as President of Rainstopper. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Harry carries the legacy of innovation and service forward, guided by the same principles that have defined Rainstopper from the start.