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20 Questions

20 Questions with Mark Geschke

Geschke discusses purchasing a business, joining a franchise group and the importance of giving back to the community.

Originally published Published: 09.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Jason Hanson

Jason Hanson discusses learning curves in business, growing his company and the power of the color red.

Originally published Published: 08.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Jeff Wilkins

Jeff Wilkins discusses the entrepreneurial spirit, managing a start-up and providing contractors jobs, not leads.

Originally published Published: 07.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with James Kester

James Kester discusses memorable design, starting his own company and learning to be a successful business owner.

Originally published Published: 06.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Mike Schwartz

Mike Schwartz discusses refrigeration and the environment, leading a large, diverse company and how contractors can differentiate themselves.

Originally published Published: 04.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Carlton Harwood

Harwood discussed communication challenges, educating the industry and life lessons he learned from his mother.

Originally published Published: 03.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Linda Couch

Linda Couch, COO at Parrish Services in Manasses, Va. discusses the importance of tapping into Millennial talent, communicating with an unconventional workforce and the challenge of commoditization.

Originally published Published: 02.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Troy Meachum

Troy Meachum, president of ACR Supply Co. in North Carolina, discusses industry challenges, the importance of providing training and how to recruit and educate the next generation.

Originally published Published: 01.01.18 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Ken Goodrich

Ken Goodrich, owner and CEO of Goettl Air Conditioning, discusses growing up in the industry, the art of acquiring companies and the need to give back to the community.

Originally published Published: 12.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Bob Case

Bob Case, chief executive officer for GARDINER, discusses the company’s major transition and its challenges, as well as management styles and industry technology.

Originally published Published: 11.01.17 Author By Terry Tanker

20 Questions with Wil VandeWiel

Wil VandeWiel, chief executive officer of Taco, Inc., discusses following in his father’s footsteps, coming to America and transforming a large, family-run business into a multi-national.

Originally published Published: 10.03.17 Author By Terry Tanker

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 Steve Truett

Steve Truett, president of Aire Serv a franchisor with more than 200 locations, discusses customer service, workforce shortages and contractor needs.

Originally published Published: 05.04.17 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