Steven Whitcher

Background

About Steven Whitcher

I started my entrepreneurial journey at 15, buying and refurbishing second-hand golf clubs from my father’s on-course pro shop—one of the largest in the country at the time. With a keen eye for opportunity and a passion for service, I launched selling high-quality refurbished gear at reasonable prices. It was a simple but effective win-win: my dad moved his second-hand inventory, and I earned my first income. Five years later, I joined the family business full-time and eventually took over completely, allowing my father to focus on his golf coaching career. After several years running and refining the business, I sold it in 2014, eager for a new direction. That change came in the form of a small filtration company, where I began assisting with marketing and business development. Within nine months, Filtration Management Solutions (FMS) was born. What began as a niche operation has since evolved into FMS Africa, a leading lubrication and contamination control partner across Sub-Saharan Africa. Today, we proudly represent global leaders like Des-Case Corporation, RMF Systems, Groeneveld-Beka, Schroeder Industries, FMS International, and Checkfluid. Despite the shift from golf to lubrication, one principle has remained constant: a relentless commitment to service, service, service. It’s a value we embedded early in FMS and one that continues to guide our training, consulting, and solutions-driven approach for power generation, mining, and industrial operations across the continent. My journey may be unconventional—but it’s one I’m deeply grateful for. Life has a unique way of leading you exactly where you’re meant to be. Stay blessed and always grateful.