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20 Questions

20 Questions with Bill Jackson

Bill Jackson discusses leading and managing a global business, the importance of communications, accountability, serving your customers and more.

Originally published Published: 09.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Bruce Krinkie

Bruce Krinkie, owner of Krinkie’s Heating, Air and Plumbing in St. Paul, Minn., a 2017 Tops in Trucks Fleet Design Contest winner, discusses rebranding, transitioning from technician to owner and …

Originally published Published: 08.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Greg Mericle

Greg Mericle, president of Hurlburt Heating & Plumbing in Durand, Wisc., a 2017 Tops in Trucks Fleet Design Contest winner, discusses branding, buying an HVACR contracting firm, flat rate pricing …

Originally published Published: 07.05.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Jeff Zuhlsdorf

Jeff Zuhlsdorf, owner of Tin Man Heating & Cooling in Bowling Green, Ohio, a 2017 Tops in Trucks Fleet Design Contest winner, discusses rebranding the company, the importance of planning, …

Originally published Published: 06.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Mike Abrashoff

Former U.S. Navy Captain Mike Abrashoff discusses leadership, motivation, organizational transformation, Abrashoff’s best-selling book, “It’s Your Ship” and his training academy, Aegis Performance Group.

Originally published Updated: 11.02.22 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Gary Michel

Gary Michel, president of Residential HVAC & Supply, which includes brands like Trane, American Standard, Ameristar and Nexia, discusses product development, leadership, understanding customer needs and building business team for …

Originally published Published: 03.09.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Chadd & Keegan Hodges

Chadd and Keegan Hodges. co-owners of Best Home Services in Naples, Fla., discuss company growth, job creation, risk and company culture.

Originally published Published: 02.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with John Galyen

John Galyen, president of Danfoss North America, discusses recruiting Millennials, government regulations, holding people accountable and what’s changed in the industry since their last interview in October 2006.

Originally published Published: 12.28.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Doug Young

Doug Young, president and chief operating officer of Lennox Residential Heating & Cooling and outgoing chairman of The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), discusses government regulations, building a winning …

Originally published Published: 11.30.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Russell Tavolacci

Russell Tavolacci, senior vice president at Samsung HVAC, discusses assembling and managing a team, the future of the industry and the importance of training skilled labor.

Originally published Published: 10.28.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger, actor, director, producer and creator of Travel Channel’s “Made in America,” discusses learning a trade, the shortage of skilled American workers and changing the perception of a career …

Originally published Published: 09.30.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Marty Rosica

Marty Rosica, owner of Hawks & Company in Deptford, N.J., a 2016 Tops in Trucks Fleet Design Contest winner, discusses training the next generation, developing core values and being an …

Originally published Published: 09.06.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Michael Carlo

Michael Carlo, managing partner of Innovative Air Solutions in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., discusses starting a business from scratch, learning on the job and evolving as a marketer.

Originally published Published: 08.03.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Don Rackler

Don Rackler, president of Jon Wayne Service Company in San Antonio, discusses company culture, hiring for attitude, learning leadership from his Army father and his company’s namesake, John Wayne.

Originally published Published: 07.01.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Carmine Galletta

Carmine Galletta, owner of GallettAir Inc. in Long Island, N.Y. and the very first winner of the Tops in Trucks Fleet Design Contest, discusses fleet design, business, family and what’s …

Originally published Published: 06.02.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Brent Schroeder

Schroeder discusses product innovation, the industry’s biggest challenges and Emerson’s new Helix Innovation Center, a $35 million state-of-the-art “ideation” facility on the University of Dayton campus.

Originally published Published: 05.01.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Larry Zarker

Larry Zarker, chief executive officer of the Building Performance Institute (BPI) discusses selling comfort instead of equipment, the benefits of home performance contracting and why it makes sense for HVACR …

Originally published Published: 04.07.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Charles Fletcher

Charles Fletcher, executive vice president of EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems in Irvine, Calif, discusses growing an energy business from scratch, focusing on culture and the future of mechanical contracting.

Originally published Published: 03.01.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Chris Hunter

Chris Hunter, owner of Hunter Heat & Air, discusses making the transition from service truck to the office, differentiating from competitors and attracting employees with a great company culture.

Originally published Published: 02.01.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Michael Meier

Michael Meier, vice president and COO of Meier Supply Co., Inc., discusses growing up in the family business, training the industry to be better and the advancement of industry technology.

Originally published Published: 01.01.16 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Bob McEwan

Bob McEwan, retired general manager of GE Aviation’s global supply chain, discusses how to motivate a team, what it means to be fair and why Millennials have potential to become …

Originally published Published: 12.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Ruth King

Ruth King, whose popular monthly finance column continues to help contractors improve business operations, discusses contractor training, changing the way the industry thinks and having the courage to be profitable.

Originally published Published: 11.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Seth Godin

Seth Godin, New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur, discusses building something that matters, leadership and Permission Marketing.

Originally published Published: 10.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Darrell Gross

Darrell Gross, owner of MRS Heating & Cooling in New Castle, Ind., discusses family businesses, partnerships, training and rebranding.

Originally published Published: 09.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Richard Weaver

Richard Weaver, owner of Best in the West Air Conditioning & Heating in Palm Springs, Calif., discusses starting from scratch, customer service and his love of animals and hot rods.

Originally published Published: 08.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe, the creator and executive producer of Discovery’s “Dirty Jobs” and his new show on CNN, “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” discusses being authentic, how to address the labor shortage …

Originally published Published: 07.06.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Bill Stueber

Bill Stueber, owner of Blue Ridge Heating and Cooling in Pine Beach, N.J. and a 2015 Tops-in-Trucks Fleet Design Contest winner, discusses the challenges of finding good people, updating the …

Originally published Published: 06.08.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Dave McIlwaine

Dave McIlwaine, president of HVAC Distributors, Inc., discusses driving sales, training and the challenge of finding competent technicians.

Originally published Published: 05.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Bob Vila

Bob Vila, considered the forefather of home improvement television, discusses how he got started, running a small business, upgrading HVACR equipment and the growing trend toward IAQ.

Originally published Published: 04.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Crawford Ker

Crawford Ker, former NFL player and founder of the Ker’s WingHouse restaurant chain, discusses learning how to run a business, how to build a team and what he looks for …

Originally published Published: 03.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Ken Blanchard

Ken Blanchard, whose book “The One Minute Manager” has sold more than 15 million copies and has been translated into more than 40 languages, discusses servant leadership, changing your management …

Originally published Published: 02.01.15 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Erik Bryan

Erik Bryan, owner of Precision Air and Plumbing in Chandler, Ariz., discusses his service in the Marine Corps, his past experience as a construction contractor and working with family.

Originally published Published: 01.05.15 Author By Terry Tanker

The Best of 20 Questions (2011-2014)

Since we last ran a Best of 20 Questions four years ago, Publisher Terry Tanker has continued to interview many of the top HVACR contractors, distributors, suppliers and consultants, as …

Originally published Published: 12.01.14 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Tim Sanders

Tim Sanders, the maverick CEO of Los Angeles tech start-up Net Minds and founder of research firm Deeper Media Incorporated, discusses creative thinking, leadership and always challenging yourself and learning.

Originally published Published: 11.01.14 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Anne Beiler

Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels — the world’s largest hand rolled soft pretzel franchise with more than 1,000 locations worldwide — discusses the challenges of …

Originally published Published: 10.01.14 Author By Terry Tanker