Carrier annually inducts select industry-leading contractors to its Dealer Hall of Fame. Nominees must be Carrier factory authorized dealers and have a minimum of 20 years associated with Carrier as their primary brand. This year's inductees are Roger Gundlach of Gundlach Sheet Metal Works Inc. in Sandusky, Ohio; John and Robert Freund of Comfort-Air Engineering Inc. in San Antonio, Texas; Larry Everett of Colony Air Conditioning and Heating in The Colony, Texas; and Jack Van Horne of Arundel Cooling & Heating Co. Inc. in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

Roger Gundlach — Gundlach Sheet Metal Works Inc. — A 1972 graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Gundlach is a registered professional engineer in the states of Ohio and Tennessee. He has worked 44 years in the sheet metal and mechanical contracting business as an engineer and manager. He is a member of the ASHRAE, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers.

John and Robert Freund — Comfort-Air Engineering Inc. — John and Robert Freund grew up in Austin, Texas, and graduated from Austin High School in the late 1940s. Upon graduation, the brothers went on to the University of Texas, where they each received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1953 and 1957, respectively. In 1964, the Freund brothers decided to go into business for themselves as Carrier dealers in San Antonio and founded Comfort-Air Engineering Inc. Beginning with just three employees, the company worked tirelessly to serve its customers and grew the business to over $7.1 million annually.

Larry Everett — Colony Air Conditioning and Heating — Everett has been a part of the HVAC industry for as long as he can remember. His father was in the air conditioning business, and in the 1960s, when Everett was just a boy, he would go on service calls with his dad. In 1977, Everett moved to The Colony, a newly-constructed residential community near Frisco, Texas, and decided to open a small service business, run out of his home, where he called on residential customers in The Colony, Frisco, and surrounding areas. Everett is active in both professional and community organizations and is a member of the ACCA Hall of Fame. He has also earned the “Best of Business” Award from Frisco STYLE Publications and the “Readers Choice” Award from Star Local Media.

Jack Van Horne — Arundel Cooling & Heating Co. Inc. — In 1971, Van Horne took out a $20,000 loan and officially opened Arundel Cooling and Heating Co. Inc. In his early years in the business, Van Horne focused mostly on residential heating and cooling but has since expanded to provide commercial, electrical, duct work, and geothermal services. Arundel has grown to over 50 employees, 11 of which have been with the company for over 20 years and four of those for over 30 years. In 1998, Van Horne served as the vice president of the Baltimore Chapter of ACCA and served on the board from 1986–1999. Van Horne also served as the president of the Heat Pump Association of Central Maryland from 1988–1989.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductions, Carrier also presented 238 active dealers with its President’s Award, an honor presented annually to Carrier dealers who exemplify the company’s model for operational excellence, business effectiveness, and delivering the best in cutting-edge technology to consumers.

“The President’s Award recognizes each winner’s commitment to excellence, and Carrier is proud that they are ambassadors of our brand,” added Nelson. “Our President’s Award recipients are world-class factory authorized dealers and set the standard for outstanding companies that serve not just the industry and their customers, but their communities as well.”

For more information, visit www.carrier.com.

Publication date: 4/3/2017