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Air Conditioning Firm Marking 35 Years

Submitted photo

Pictured in 1985, Dan Wright started his business in 1985 out of his home in New Port Richey.

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By Scott E. Smith | The Suncoast News

Published: July 23, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- "If you don't have a dream, it won't work," commented Kenny Parr, owner and vice president of Dan Wright Corporation.

One of the men that original owner, Dan Wright credits to the success of the business.

The New Port Richey based business is celebrating 35 years in the heating and cooling industry.

Dan Wright started the business in 1973 and has dedicated his life's work to the air conditioning business.

"I always had the desire to be my own boss," the soft spoken Wright said through an easy smile.

Wright, who has the demeanor of a southern gentleman, began the business with his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou out of their house, where the couple still resides.

The father of three daughters, Wright had to borrow a truck during start-up and believed honesty was the key to the business.

He surrounded himself with Parr, Chris Lincoln and Greg Naumann, who shared in this philosophy.

The team worked seven days a week and Wright involved himself with every part of the business including selling, book keeping and the laborious part of designing, installing and repairing systems.

"God was our partner," Wright said and added, "God remains Parr's partner," who currently oversees the day-to-day operation of the business.

"If you don't have a team, you can't make it happen," Wright said.

Wright credits the success of the business to the management team, which now includes Wrights grandson, Jamie Holmes, Scott Ely and Mauro Orellana.

Wright has instilled his business ethics through his hands on approach and working side by side with the leadership team.

The family oriented business has managed to survive the ups and downs of the economy, illnesses and raising families.

"We stand behind what we do," Lincoln said. If the job isn't done correctly than they will make the changes needed to satisfy the customer.

Much of their early success is credited to the late Mr. Al Ellis, president of 1st National Bank, which is now owned by Bank of America, who in 1981, hired the crew to work on a five-story building, which is now the Bank of America building located on U.S. 19, south of Main Street.

We really didn't know what we were doing commented Wright with regards to the project. The success of this project gave the fledging business the break it needed within the commercial sector.

In 1984 the organization vacated the Wright homestead and moved to their current location on Locust Place in New Port Richey where they have expanded twice since the move.

Their first service agreement was signed in 1992 by James Kotschenreuther when the company earned its service warranty license from the State of Florida that enabled them to carry service agreements as part of their business.

The business is an authorized Carrier distributor, which is a leader in home heating and cooling equipment.

The current structure of the business includes three components; commercial, residential and service customers. They specialize in contract work, installation and design of heating and air conditioning systems.

In addition, the organization will act as a sub-contractor for work they do not specialize in.

They work statewide and have work in the southeast including South Carolina and Georgia. Customers include HCA Engineering Services, Paul Swartz, CB Richard Ellis and Jimmy Galioto of Jimmy's Blvd. Restaurant.

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