BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

BEST PLACE TO WORK – SMALL BUSINESS

After hearing of Air Quality Solution’s win, we caught up with Larry Titus, owner of AQS. AQS is a family-owned heating and cooling company founded by his father Lowell Titus in 1983, making this year AQS’s 40th anniversary year.

What does it mean to you and your team to win an award that is based on community vote?

“This an incredible honor. We work hard to take care of our team and provide opportunities to support their personal and family goals in life. Having our community and other local businesses see and acknowledge these efforts and the culture we have created is appreciated and humbling.”

Tell us how your business engages in the Chamber and the Grove City community as a whole.

“We joined our Chamber of Commerce over 30-years ago. Our staff has always looked at our Chamber involvement as a great way to give back to this this community we love. I have served several terms on our Board of Directors and as the 2001 Chamber President. Dody Myers, our office manager, currently serves on the WE:LEAD committee and works on the Southwest Leadership program. We love supporting the Chamber Foundation, based on the recognition that a traditional 4-year college is not for everyone, that folks working hard to learn other skills and trades need help too.

AQS also works hard to support our Grove City Parks & Recreation, Southwestern City Schools, and the MASH Military Food Pantry.”

What ‘wins’ are you celebrating from 2022, or in other words what successes would you like to share?

“We donated an acre of land to the MASH Food Pantry. In partnership with the Grove City Rotary, Home Depot, and Jones Topsoil, we constructed 48 raised beds that provides fresh vegetables to Veterans in need.

Air Quality Solutions was recognized by the US Department of Labor with the Platinum Award for the fifth year in a row for our “Heroes Work Here” Program, where we hire and train Honorably Discharged Veterans, Reservists, and National Guardsmen.

We invested in a HVAC Lab with a state-of-the art simulator that teaches new technicians how to read schematics and diagnostic service repairs.

AQS once again earned the status as Lennox Premier Dealership from our main HVAC supplier.”

What are the goals for your business in 2023?

“We plan to hire and train two new team members. Continue to develop our land and new warehouse facility at 5263 Harrisburg Pike. We will upgrade our phone system and internet infrastructure so our staff can better work remotely. Continue to grow our business serving the Southwest Community and make a difference giving back to this community we love.”