Dennis Laughlin, a business management consultant and manufacturing executive who, as general manager and later president of Arzel Zoning, helped make home zoning systems popular with HVAC contractors, died on November 6 at his home in Munson Township, Ohio. He was 64.
Laughlin was instrumental in helping to generate contractor awareness of the benefits of HVAC system zoning, which is a mechanical method of directing ducted air to specific areas inside a home or business.
As related in an article by Michael Maynard, Laughlin was an investment banker in Cleveland, who also had owned manufacturing companies. His experience in growing companies and using private-label agreements was the right background to help build Arzel, which was founded in the mid-1980s by Al Zelczer. Major ingredients to Arzel's growth were a methodical outreach to contractors, comprehensive training, the establishment of a wholesale distribution network, and membership in industry organizations, such as Heating, Air-conditioning, Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
Laughlin was also influential in the addition of the zone control category to the product sections of what was then known as ARI.
Dennis Laughlin was an avid golfer and wine enthusiast, and he enjoyed collecting antiques. He was a management consultant, and had run several companies. He spent many years working and developing relationships in the HVACR Industry and served on the Board of Directors of AHRI. Dennis served on the Board of Directors at Valtronic USA and The Orange Effect Foundation. He was a member and past President of The Chardon Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife Joyce (nee: Dini), whom he married December 28, 1973 in Bedford Hts., his children Jennifer (Brian Rich) Laughlin of Mentor and John (Meghann) Laughlin of S. Euclid and his grandchildren Colton, Miriam and Ian. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Patrick Laughlin.
The family will receive friends from on 2:00 – 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 11 at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St. (on St. Rt. 44, 500-ft. south of Rt. 6/Chardon Square) Chardon, Oh.
Private family interment will be at Union Cemetery, Rock Creek. The family suggests donations to The Orange Effect Foundation. Information and condolences can be found online here.