An Arkansas contractor was one of three recipients of Carrier Corp.’s Dealer Hall of Fame Award presented during the 2010 Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer (FAD) conference. Eddie Goodwin from the town of Mountain Home was the Arkansas dealer.

“The Carrier Dealer Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor dealers who exhibit enthusiasm, loyalty, and courage in their work and who embody the same leadership traits as Willis Carrier, the founder of our company and the inventor of modern air conditioning,” said Michelle Caldwell, Carrier brand manager. “Each of these men exemplifies compassion and commitment to their employees, community, and customers and has long, outstanding histories with Carrier. It is an honor to recognize them with this award.”

According to a statement from Carrier, “Other qualities that are noted among recipients are vision to seize opportunity, a focus on continuous improvement, and personal and professional integrity. Although thousands of dealers across the country represent Carrier brand products, fewer than 1,200 surpass the high standards defined by the company to qualify as a Factory Authorized Dealer, and among those, only two to three are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year.”

Goodwin became a Carrier dealer in 1971, the year he returned to his hometown of Mountain Home to purchase Central Heating and Cooling.

Under his leadership, Central grew into a top-performing Carrier FAD company consistently recognized for its many sales achievements. It was also noted that the Arkansas HVACR Association (founded and led by Goodwin) encouraged the state legislature to require licensing for HVAC contractors and developed a continuing education program.

Since retiring from Central’s day-to-day operations in 1998, Goodwin serves as advisor to its management team, led by his son-in-law.

Publication date: 08/30/2010