“We’ve kept our purpose as an organization really simple, and it’s: Helping People — Whole Home, Whole Life,” said Ryan Williams, a son of the founder and the current president of 128. “We really do lead with that on how we make decisions in the organization, how we, you know, check ourselves to ensure that the quality is where it needs to be.” 

The company was nominated by Clayton Lane, general manager of American Air Central Heating and Cooling Systems, a commercial contractor and a sister company to 128. Lane was formerly the president of a Texas mechanical company that was acquired by a private equity firm, and recently moved to Massachusetts to run American Air. 

“When I met Ryan, what stood out most was his genuine commitment to both customers and employees,” Lane said. “After experiencing the challenges that often come with private equity ownership, it was refreshing to meet a leader whose values were so clearly centered on people.” 

In his nomination, Lane called 128 “a true family business that has grown to scale without losing its soul,” adding that it’s “the kind of family-owned company every region hopes to have and the kind the industry needs more of.” 

Last year, the folks at 128 doubled down on local ownership, completing Evergreen certification, a third-party-validated pledge to remain privately and independently owned by the founding family. 

The move got a positive response; Williams said he senses a strong appetite, among both customers and employees, for private, independent ownership of contracting companies. “It really is our north star,” he said. 

Founder David Williams is still with 128 as a senior advisor, involved in everything from special projects to training technicians to plowing company properties after a snowfall. “He’s like an invaluable resource and a wealth of information,” his son Ryan said. 

Other family members work for 128 as well: Ryan Williams’ sister Katy Dowsett is in charge of business development, and brother Kevin Williams is a comfort advisor. 

AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Some of the 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric team members pose with their trophies after an awards presentation in 2025. Courtesy of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric.

The company has approximately 170 employees and 120 work vehicles and, on the HVAC side, works on hydronic systems, heat pumps and mini-splits, gas forced-air heating systems, and even oil-fired furnaces. It’s achieved Mitsubishi Electric’s Diamond Elite status, is certified as a Navien Service Specialist for that company’s hydronics equipment, and is an authorized installer of Tesla’s suite of solar energy-generation, energy-storage, and energy-management systems. 

It’s also the Official Home Service Company of the Boston Red Sox, Williams proudly noted. “It’s kind of been a fun partnership over the past couple years,” he said. “Our signs show up in Fenway Park (the Sox’s home stadium). ... I think there’s a great connection and story there, which we enjoy.” 

The company installs heat pumps through the Mass Save program, a statewide initiative, run by utilities and energy-efficiency service providers, to help homeowners and businesses make affordable energy-efficiency upgrades. Though the state is an electrification pioneer, Massachusetts, Williams said, still maintains diversity in its energy sources. 

“At the end of the day, it’s really us aligning with the demands of our customers,” he said. “I’m not really one to channel choice of energy onto our customers.” 

SECOND-GENERATION LEADERSHIP: Ryan Williams is the president of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, a residential contractor based in the Boston, Massachusetts area. His father, David Williams, founded the company in 1992. Courtesy of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric.

President of 128 since 2013, Williams said he stresses that employees maintain a professional, can-do attitude and counter the stereotypes that are sometimes attached to blue-collar work. That positive attitude shows up in everything from wearing uniforms appropriately and making sure work trucks are clean to being prepared for the job and following through, he said. 

“We’re not here just to fix the part. We’re here to be consistent consultants and advisors in your home,” he said. “Our guys carry that with themselves, and it’s part of the culture that we have, and I think they’ve done a really good job with that.” 

Williams said 128’s employees take a lot of pride in the company, and that that’s especially true of those who’ve been with it for a while and have seen its growth. “They feel as though ... they’ve made a mark in that growth and development,” he said. 

For his part, Williams takes pride in the accomplishments of 128’s employees, especially when, for example, one of them starts out in the warehouse and becomes a lead technician or moves into a management role.  

“Those are the stories that I like talking about the most,” he said. 

Though his duties as company president keep him plenty busy, Williams still gets out to visit jobsites.