INDIANAPOLIS - Carrier Corp. presented its Dealer Hall of Fame Award to three recipients during the 2010 Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer (FAD) conference in Tampa, Fla. Edward “Eddie” Goodwin, G. Benjamin Laury, and Michael Purl were each recognized with the lifetime achievement award. The award is given each year to only a select few chosen by a Carrier management committee from among those nominated by their distributors. Nominees must have a minimum 20 years association with Carrier as their primary brand. They must also be a Factory Authorized Dealer and be far enough along in their careers to warrant the recognition of lifetime achievement.

“The Carrier Dealer Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor dealers who exhibit enthusiasm, loyalty, and courage in their work and who embody the same leadership traits as Willis Carrier, the founder of our company and the inventor of modern air conditioning,” said Michelle Caldwell, Carrier brand manager. “Each of these men exemplifies compassion and commitment to their employees, community, and customers and has long, outstanding histories with Carrier. It is an honor to recognize them with this award.”

Eddie Goodwin became a Carrier dealer in 1971, the year he returned to his hometown of Mountain Home, Ark., to purchase Central Heating and Cooling. Under his leadership, Central grew into a top-performing Carrier FAD company consistently recognized for its many sales achievements. With his oversight and personal involvement, the Arkansas HVACR Association (founded and led by Goodwin) encouraged the state legislature to require licensing for HVAC contractors and developed a continuing education program, elevating the professionalism of the industry statewide. Since retiring from day-to-day operations in 1998, Goodwin serves as advisor to the company’s management team, led by his son-in-law.

As owner of Laury Heating in southern New Jersey, Ben Laury personally trained and mentored more than 1,000 employees on the benefits and strengths of the Carrier brand, as well as on the importance of technical knowledge. He was recognized early on as a model Carrier dealer when he was inducted into the Comfort Maker Hall of Fame in 1956. Throughout the years, Laury and his company have consistently won awards for top dealer performance from Carrier, as well as leadership awards for both volume and growth from his distributor, Peirce Phelps Inc. Laury continued working with his sons until he retired at age 89. He was honored posthumously, having passed away in June 2009.

Michael Purl joined the family business in 1977. Ten years later, he became a second-generation owner of Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning, begun by his parents in 1952. The company has been associated with Carrier for 37 years and FAD-qualified since the program’s inception. Among its accolades, Purl’s company achieved the highest customer service survey score within the northern California group of Carrier dealers in 2008. Purl’s leadership includes an extensive list of board memberships and community service activities. He has also been recognized for his business accomplishments with the 2009 Madera Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information, visit www.carrier.com.

Publication date:04/19/2010