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    1. Commercial HVAC

    Unified Group Annual Meeting Focuses on Next Generation Leaders

    Dec. 14, 2020
    Large group discussions and breakout groups on service trends and projections for the upcoming year allowed the group to explore strategic issues and challenges.

    BROADVIEW, Illinois (December 2020) — Many companies have cancelled non-essential travel this year, but they’re still finding ways to stay connected and host the annual events that their employees and clients have come to enjoy. That includes The Unified Group — an association of leading independent HVAC commercial contractors in the industry — which recently held its Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum via Zoom. 

    The Unified Group
    Group photo collage from The Unified Group's virtual conference.
    Group photo collage from The Unified Group's virtual conference.
    On the first day, the group shared how they are keeping people connected and enhancing their culture during the trying times of 2020. Paul Gosserand of CMC Corporate Solutions shared his organization’s way of successfully engaging a remote workforce. On Day 2, Phil Van Hooser, certified speaking professional and member of the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, guided a discussion on how to manage “new breed” employees - individuals of any age or generation who expect a different outcome from their work and/or career than the generation that preceded them. 

    Large group discussions and breakout groups on service trends and projections for the upcoming year allowed the group to explore strategic issues and challenges that are important to their organizations.

    “It’s always interesting to hear the challenges other people have and realize the commonality, whether it’s current or challenges from the past,” said Rick Cowley of Mechanical Service and Systems, Inc. “The Unified Group has really developed what works and adapted it well to these extenuating circumstances.” 

    Large group discussions and breakout groups on service trends and projections for the upcoming year allowed the group to explore strategic issues and challenges that are important to their organizations. Gary Griffin of B&I Contractors, Inc. and Chris Schaff of Air Controls talked about their company strategies, how they’ve been successful in new niche markets and shared some bumps in the road. Throughout the forum, members presented best ideas from monitoring cash flow and the impact it has on an organization. 

    “Besides realizing that every contractor faces similar challenges at one point or another, this meeting gives ideas that work to help you solve a problem faster or avoid a pitfall so you can get back to what you love to do — taking care of your customers,” said Sherri Flesher of Arctic Air. 

    “2020 has been a grind and mentally draining,” Derren Saucier of Temperature, Inc. added. “This meeting was a rejuvenating breath of fresh air.” 

    In addition to working on business solutions together, members enjoyed a fun mixology cocktail hour with spouses to kick the event off. 

    The Unified Group is comprised of innovative, forward-thinking business leaders who are focused on continuous improvement. Visit www.theunifiedgroup.com for more information or to join.

    Formed in 1998, The Unified Group is an organization of the leading independent HVAC commercial contractors in the industry. The association helps strengthen its member businesses through a variety of training and resources, and is dedicated to raising the standards of excellence in the HVACR industry. For more information, visit www.theunifiedgroup.com.

    During The Unified Group's virtual  Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum in November, B&I Contractors, Inc. of Fort Myers, Fla. was named as the association’s 2020 "Making the Difference" Award. Gary Griffin, President of B&I Contractors, Inc., accepted the award.

    The award is presented each year, to a member company that embodies The Unified Group’s core goals of assisting the membership in growing their businesses and improving their bottom-line profits, raising the level of excellence in the HVAC industry, providing members with the opportunity for continued improvement in all aspects of their businesses and sharing best practices.

    B&I Contractors, Inc. was recognized for attending all training sessions throughout the year, both live and virtual. Their team was on three planning task forces to create session agendas, choose speakers and present at meetings. Their employees are well-known for their leadership and willingness to help others. They continuously search for ways to learn and improve from fellow Unified Group members and freely share information that could be beneficial for others in the group. They go above and beyond, and their entire team has become an invaluable resource to other members of The Unified Group by sharing proven methods intended to make a positive impact. 

    B&I Contractors, Inc. spreads the word about the trades as a career. They are actively involved in many trades days throughout Florida and are always giving back and sharing what they do within their community. 

    “B&I Contractors, Inc. is an amazing employee-owned business that has provided quality service for 60 years, has more than 700 employees and has completed more than 4,000 projects,” said Janet Kelleher, Executive Director of The Unified Group. “Their leaders and employees are extremely invested in their community and the trades as an industry. They are very involved in The Unified Group as a company and are always willing to share their success and failures, as well as learn from others.”