Garage Headquarters, a Warwick-based company serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The company celebrated the milestone on Oct. 24, during which Gov. Dan McKee presented them with a Gubernatorial Citation.

According to President Scott Grace, the recognition was one that he appreciated, and he was grateful to the officials who bestowed the award, the employees at the company over the past 50 years and Garage Headquarters’ customers, whom he called “deeply loyal.”

“It’s just that continued appreciation and recognition to the individuals from salespeople, to the installers, to the office, to the warehouse,” Grace said. “The 50 years doesn’t happen unless individuals are stepping up and getting it done for customers on a daily basis.”

Garage Headquarters started when Scott’s father Jim responded to an ad in the Providence Journal from a company in Dallas looking for a distributor in the Rhode Island market, leaving his job in executive management for a building supply company that he had previously worked for.

According to Grace, the business saw quick growth, and would expand into New Bedford, Southeastern Massachusetts and Greater Boston locations as well.

History would repeat itself in 2005, when Grace left his job in executive management with IBM to come back to Garage Headquarters.

In total, the company consists of approximately 75 employees, according to Grace, including his father Jim. According to his son, still meets with customers and is a valuable resource for the company on dealing with challenges that the company faces.

Grace said that throughout the company’s history, Garage Headquarters grew in large part due to the sacrifices made by employees, including his father.

“We went from a local player in Warwick back in ‘73, and with our investments and innovation, we now have a presence in a lot of North America,” Grace said.

Other guests at the 50th anniversary celebration included Mayor Frank Picozzi, State Representative David Bennett, State Senator David Tikoian, and McAuley Ministries Business Manager Thomasina Ekroth.

Governor McKee, speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration, said that the work that Garage Headquarters has done and the milestone that they reached was one that was well worth celebrating.

“It seems fitting that we’re here today to celebrate a garage door company,” McKee said at the ceremony. “You’re one of many small businesses that are the heart of Rhode Island’s economic development engine. And you’re a company that serves both businesses and individuals, just like those of us who govern here.”

Grace said that while the award was nice, it didn’t amount to the company “riding into the sunset,” and said that Garage Headquarters was still looking to innovate and grow.

“We really view this as building on a foundation,” Grace said. “Because of the fact that we’ve got 50 years and the pieces of the foundation that we’ve got in place, it’s going to continue to be a strong place for individuals to have a career.”