When you are from Texas and you have the words “Jon Wayne” in your name — even with a bit of a spelling twist — you had better make a big impression. Such is the case with Jon Wayne Heating and Air of San Antonio, which was chosen by The NEWS as this year’s “Best Contractor to Work for” in the South.

Mike Cottle sets a high standard of business at Cole Services in Garden Grove, Calif. His dedication to the trades began right after high school, when he entered trade school to be a plumber. Over the course of the next 13 years, Cottle spent his time honing his skills, learning HVAC, and working for local service-and-repair companies.

When talking to the management or employees at My Plumber Heating and Cooling, it is hard to tell if they are part of a large contracting firm or a big extended family, which is the key to success at this Manassas Va.-based company, and why The NEWS recognized the company as its “Best Contractor to Work For” Eastern region contest winner.

The Bergstrom brothers and Knight strive to show in many ways that they value their employees, and in turn hire and retain staff that values and takes care of their customers. The result is a vibrant and positive work environment.