The Unified Group welcomed HVACR industry owners from across the U.S. to Cancun for the Group’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum. The event offered attendees a combination of productive meeting sessions and ample time to connect with fellow members.
Event MC Jaime Quello, of Peterson Sheet Metal, started the first day with a warm welcome and introductions. A presentation on leadership by CMC Corporate Solutions’ Vice President and CFO Paul Gosserand was a highlight of day one’s sessions. Gosserand will retire in June. His presentation reflected the wisdom he accrued over the decades and provided valuable examples of true leadership and underscored the value of building meaningful relationships. Day one sessions came to a close with a beachfront lunch.
“There’s something powerful about being in a room full of like-minded, caring and intelligent leaders,” J&J Air Conditioning Vice President and Service Manager Frank Quintanar said of the forum. “Hearing the pride in their voices as they spoke about their teams and, on several occasions, calling themselves ‘blessed’ to have the people they do. That kind of leadership is different within the industry, yet so normal within our membership.”
The second day of the forum included a panel on employee retention, in which panelists and attendees discussed best practices for retaining current employees and attracting new ones. A strategic breakout session followed, and attendees discussed potential solutions to issues within their organizations that were shared with Group members prior to the forum. To wrap the session, CW Suter President and CEO John Baker discussed his company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and Westbrook Service Company President Brian King explained Westbrook’s ownership structure.
To inject some extra fun into the forum, members headed out to four top-rated taquerías across Cancun. On this “Taco Tour,” they sampled authentic local favorites, learned about the history and traditions behind each dish, and enjoyed the city’s vibrant culture.
The third and final day featured a panel on owner burnout, centered on how to step out of the day-to-day flurry and empower others to take on leadership roles. Panelists shared strategies for building the right structure and processes and enabling teams to make key decisions to reduce the burden on owners, ultimately creating more time and less stress. The day concluded with a strategic planning breakout session and a year-end highlight video.
Tom Dacres, president and CEO of the VHV Company, said the honest dialog and interaction with peers was the best part of the forum. “The openness and trust within this group is rare,” he said. “I always leave Unified events sharper, more focused, and grateful to be part of a community that truly wants each other to succeed.”
The 2026 Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum demonstrated the collaboration, trust, and shared learning that defines The Unified Group. Members returned home energized with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a continued commitment to helping one another grow and succeed.
“This peer group is unique. Leaders are connected well beyond just elevating our people, processes and our businesses,” Intech Mechanical’s Vice President of Construction Pansy Romo said. “The Unified Group’s Core Values are evident in our relationships at the ownership level and throughout our teams. Our relationships and commitment to sharing best practices to elevate each other runs deep and wide.”
If you’re interested in learning more or becoming a member of The Unified Group, contact Janet Kelleher at KelleherJ@TheUnifiedGroup.com. Upcoming forums include Sales, Controls, and Financial.
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