Second Generation Co-Owner’s Steve Fowler is no stranger to hard work. He began his Heating and Cooling career in 1979, when his parents Loran and Carol Fowler opened their, then small business Fowler Heating and Cooling from a pole barn at their home. When they started it was just the family unit and one employee.

Loran first learned the heating and cooling business when he went to work for Comfort Heating installing coal furnaces at age 16. In 1962 (the year Steve was born) he went to work for McNeill and Dugger in Herrin and began as a commercial sheetmetal worker. Carol’s experience as a Legal Secretary and other office related work helped on the business end. Although they had no skills in running their own business at the time, an incredible work ethic pulled them through.

In 1983, they moved their business to its present location at 423 S. Court St., Marion, a building that through the years housed and auto dealership as well as other small businesses.

In 1996, the business had a fire that completely destroyed the building. Two

hours after the smoke had cleared; they were back in business in temporary job trailers on the back of the property. “The phone lines were up by noon and we were taking calls by 2pm” said Steve. Plans were made and a new building was ordered, completed and moved into by November, 1996

Steve, along with an excellent upper management staff and now 20 additional employees have been instrumental in growing the business from meager beginnings to a multiple million dollar business. “When you’re a kid, it’s just a job. But when you get older you realize how important it is to continue the family business and provide a service to the community”, Steve said.

He attributes the success of his business to being diverse. Not only do they

provide heating and cooling to their customers, they also have an extensive

steel fabricating and welding shop, provide air duct cleaning services and have recently added Solar to their repertoire. “We are just forward thinking people.” Steve said.

Steve Fowler is looking forward to many more years of continued growth, and providing honest service to the folks of Southern Illinois.

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