Lisle business owner trades retirement for new direction
A 100-year-old company in Carol Stream and a 67-year-old Lisle business owner. Neither is ready to retire. So Ray Grimm shook things up, with both he and the business going high-tech and buzzing the social networking scene.
Grimm revamped the old air conditioning/heating business and is now offering customers new services, including solar energy and geothermal technologies.
The business changed from The Air Conditioning & Heating Co. to the newly renamed AWE (for air, water, energy) in Carol Stream. Grimm, who has owned the company for nearly 30 years, underwent a rigorous branding and marketing analysis that led him to provide more services. So he said he’ll stick around a while longer.
“I always thought I would work to 65 and then kick back, get my Social Security and other money and call in or show up once a week,” said Grimm, now 67.
The market had changed when the recession hit in 2007 and 2008, forcing him and others in the AC/furnace industry to either go out of business or rethink the future. He started by buying a plumbing company and then signing up contractors for electrical work. They’re busy on various projects, including the addition of solar energy panels to a Wheaton home.
His wife, Julie, has been managing the company’s image on Facebook and YouTube, as well. The company’s new website is called TheAWEfactor.com.
“I may stay another one or two years and then maybe cut back,” he said.
Ah, maybe ...
Speaking of retirement
Here’s someone who actually is. Richard M. Gunst of Clarendon Hills is retiring at 55 as chief financial officer of Downers Grove-based DeVry Inc., which operates DeVry University and other for-profit colleges.
Something in store: Spring Grove’s Jennifer Marcomb is opening a home furnishing store in her hometown on June 25. New Leaf Home Furnishings, 2449 Pierce Drive, will offer new and used furniture and decor. For the last three years, Marcomb managed a similar store in Lake Tahoe, in the mountains of California. She decided to open her own store in Spring Grove, where she is closer to family.FastTrackPeter Wozniczka of Arlington Heights has been hired as vice president of product development and operations at Woodridge-based Dwyer Products Corp., a provider of compact kitchens and modular cabinetry. ... David Duerr of Burr Ridge, chairman and chief executive officer of Oak Brook Internet marketing firm, Straight North, has been elected to the board of directors at San Miguel Schools Chicago. ... Buffalo Grove-based The Premier Wealth Group hired Len Aizenstein of Vernon Hills as a financial services representative. ... Consumers Credit Union of Waukegan has hired Lucas Frantz of Johnsburg as a real estate loan officer in its Mundelein office. ... Attorney Steven Migala has joined the Lavelle Law Ltd., a law firm in Palatine. Migala is also a member of the village of Streamwood#146;s Plan Commission. Ÿ There#146;s more to business than just the bottom line. We want to tell you about the people that make business work. I#146;m Anna Marie Kukec and I#146;d like to hear from you. Send news about people in business to akukec@dailyherald.com. Follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter. 178201Jennifer Marcomb 449674Richard Gunst 533800Peter Wozniczka 472486David Duerr