Corp America February 2017

28 CORP AMERICA / FEBRUARY 2017 , In 1996, U.S. Army veteran Paul Richards sought out to revolutionize the HVAC industry. Like somany great entrepreneurs, he started small—in his garage. The AC Company with a Heart Twenty years later, Armstrong Air & Heating has installed 1.5 million AC units in residential, new construction, and multifamily properties and is home to 500 employees and subcontractors. The company generates approximately $40 million in revenue each year and has won numerous awards for its superior customer service and philanthropic endeavors— among them being ranked #1,175 in Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies in 2014, being named a Top Philanthropic Company in the Orlando Business Journal in 2015, and being named the Top Veteran- Owned Business by the Orlando Business Journal in 2015. But Richards and his team aren’t motivated by big numbers and fancy awards. They’re motivated by people. “We’re not just experts in our field; we genuinely love what we do, and we love the people we serve,” says Tom Hyatt, Director of Residential Sales and Marketing. “Paul runs this business according to three rules: customers first, customers first, customers first.” The “wow” factor At Armstrong Air & Heating, “customers first” means merging technical expertise with white- glove service. Because AC problems always seem to occur at inconvenient times, the company creates an experience that relieves anxiety and provides fast, appropriate solutions. Prior to an appointment, customers receive an email with the name, picture, and background information of the technician coming to their home. Options are explained clearly so that customers never feel pressured. A follow-up call ensures complete satisfaction. “We’re creating partnerships with customers. We want them to be happy long term,” says Hyatt. “We go the distance that other companies aren’t willing to go to make sure every customer is 100% satisfied.” Good work and good works For Richards, good business isn’t just about business—it’s also about giving back to the community. Through efforts like Comfort for a Cause and The Hardest Hit Fund, Armstrong Air & Heating donates AC services to individuals and veterans who otherwise could not afford them. The company also supports local charities, including the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Home at Last, and Habitat for Humanity, and eagerly contributes to crisis causes, such as the South Carolina flooding in 2015. “Our passion is to help people,” says Hyatt, “and AC is the vehicle we use to make that happen.” K Company: Armstrong Air and Heating Name: Tom Hyatt Email: [email protected] Web Address: armstrongairinc.com Address: 671 Business Park Blvd. #104 Winter Garden, FL 34787 Telephone: +1 866-833-9658 1702CA71