Tom and I didn’t start out as close friends.

Years ago we worked for the same HVAC company. We knew each other and got along well, but we were more acquaintances than anything else at the time.

Later on, I made the decision to take the leap and run my own company full time instead of just doing HVAC work nights and weekends. Around that same time, I happened to run into Tom.

I asked if he would be interested in coming on board and helping me out.

What I didn’t realize then was that he would become a puzzle piece I didn’t even know I was missing.

Like most good partnerships, our strengths were different — and that turned out to be the key.

I’ve always been very detail-oriented when it comes to the job I’m working on. I like solving problems, figuring out the best technical solution, and making sure things are done right. The downside to that approach is that when you’re focused deeply on the job in front of you, sometimes the future jobs or bigger picture can become an afterthought.

Tom brought a different strength to the table.

He has always had a strong ability to keep things organized and moving forward, making sure things stayed in order while we worked through the growing pains of a young company.

Another big reason our partnership worked so well was our backgrounds in the trade.

My experience was primarily in service work — diagnosing problems and coming up with solutions based on knowledge and practicality.

Tom’s background was primarily in installation.

So the areas where I was slower or lacked install experience were things Tom understood deeply. And on the other side, as someone who spent years diagnosing and repairing systems, I could see how installation choices affected service down the road.

We were able to piggyback off each other’s strengths, filling in the gaps for one another and learning along the way.

Over time we both gained a much stronger understanding of the trade as a whole. But even after learning more about each other’s sides of the industry, we still complement each other in the way we approach the work.

Tom has become excellent at coordinating jobs and helping keep our team organized and moving efficiently, while I still tend to focus heavily on the details — whether that’s solving complex HVAC problems in the field or navigating the challenges that come with running and growing a business.

Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine where the company would be without that partnership.

Nearly ten years later, Tom is still a huge part of what makes O’Dell’s Heating and Air what it is today. Not just because of his experience in the trade, but because of the reliability, work ethic, and steady presence he brings to the team every day.

Tom has also become much more than just someone I work with. Over the years he’s become like a brother to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for his loyalty, commitment, and everything he’s done to help build this company.

So Tom, if you’re reading this — thank you. I truly appreciate all that you do.