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1/1/2009 - Burgeson’s Diamond AnniversaryBURGESON’S DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY Jason Rice On the second of January 2009, a long-standing gem of Redlands will take on a new sparkle. Burgeson’s Heating and Air Conditioning will celebrate its 60th - Diamond - Anniversary of doing business in Redlands. Founder Elgar C. Burgeson built his company on the principles of quality, honesty, integrity, hard work, and caring about the customer’s needs. Through the years, this commitment has been carried on by proud family members and dedicated employees. Elgar “El” Burgeson was raised in Minnesota where he learned the sheet metal trade. In 1945, El, wife Eve, sons Chuck and Ron, and daughter Dianne came to Redlands for the health of the boys who had contracted polio. Burgeson worked at Fitch Sheet Metal for a few years. In 1949, after the birth of daughter Janet, Burgeson’s Heating and Air Conditioning opened for business out of the family’s garage in Mentone. Burgeson’s started and continues to be a family-run business. Chuck and Ron began by helping their dad after school in the sheet metal shop. Chuck started his own business, while Ron stayed on to help manage Burgeson’s, becoming President before his passing in 1986. Dianne joined in the management of the Service Department in 1966 and is currently President of the company. When mom Eve retired as bookkeeper in the mid-1970s, Janet took on those duties, later serving as CFO until her passing in 2001. Elgar worked in the business until his passing at 88 years of age in 2005. Eve Burgeson, soon to be 90 years old, still serves on the Board of Directors. Grandchildren Brian, Kevin, and Jeff Burgeson, Tanner Brown, Mia Mercado, and Kathi Cochran all had the opportunity to work under their grandfather’s direction. Brian, now CFO, and Kevin, Secretary and Treasurer, continue to preserve the success of the business through dedication to their grandfather’s values. Long-time employee Andy Reade also serves on the Board as Vice President. El always believed in teamwork. “We wouldn’t be here without our dedicated, hard-working family of employees,” he would say. “Over the years Burgeson’s has grown to 42 employees, a number of who have been with us over 15 years,” Dianne Burgeson explains. “We never tire of hearing from customers how well they do their jobs or how nice our people are. They help us give back to the community in so many ways.” From the very beginning, Burgeson understood the importance of giving back to the community. For generations the family has been active with the YMCA, the Great All-American Youth Circus and Camp Edwards. YMCA of the East Valley’s General Director Ken Stein remarked, “The Burgeson’s support of YMCA programs started with Elgar Burgeson and has been unwavering for decades. The scoreboard in Coble Gym that bears the Burgeson name is only the most visible outward sign of this company’s generosity.” “My father’s motto from the onset was ‘Your Comfort is Our Business’, ” says Dianne Burgeson, “and we still live it and plan on continuing for generations to come.”
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