Carrier Hall of Fame
Illinois HVAC Leader Inducted into Carrier Hall of Fame
Rich Dykstra awarded Carrier’s highest honor
In recognition of his contribution and service to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, his customers and his community, Rich Dykstra has been selected as a member of the Carrier Hall of Fame. The award celebrates Dykstra’s dedication as one of the top Carrier dealers in the nation, as well as recognizes the expertise of his entire team at Dykstra Home Services, LLC in Crestwood, Illinois. Carrier, a world leader in high-technology heating, ventilating and air-conditioning solutions, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
Dykstra’s grandfather founded the heating services company M. Dykstra & Sons in 1913. His father and mother took the company over in 1926, renamed it DM Dykstra & Company, and ran it until 1970 when they turned the company over to their two sons, David and Rich. In 1983, Rich took over full operation of the organization.
Under Dykstra’s guidance and leadership, Dykstra Home Services, LLC has grown to be one of the largest and most successful HVAC companies in northern Illinois. Dykstra Home Services currently employs 52 people and boasts a fleet of 45 vehicles. Rich currently works alongside his daughter, Jennifer Milazzo, president, and his son, Richard C. Dykstra, Jr., vice president of sales and operations, keeping Dykstra Home Services a family-run business to this day.
“Rich Dykstra exemplifies the dedication of a lifetime of service and contribution to the industry, his employees, his customers and his community,” said Chris Nelson, president, North America HVAC Systems & Service, Carrier. “We are proud to demonstrate our appreciation for his loyalty to Carrier by inducting him into our Hall of Fame.”
Dykstra Home Services has been affiliated with Carrier since 1986. Since that time Rich has been a charter member of the Carrier Leadership Dealer Program, he was designated as one of the first Carrier Distinguished Dealers, and Dykstra Home Services has earned the President’s Award eight times. As an exemplary Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, every Dykstra technician is North American Technician Excellence certified and committed to sound and ethical business practices.
Dykstra has earned a reputation for his generosity, donating two rooftop units to the William Leonard Public Library, which replaced two vandalized units, and new soccer goal posts and air conditioning units to schools. He has helped fund renovations at a camp for disabled children and his whole family, including his wife Cheryl, cooks and feeds the homeless in Chicago the third Saturday of every month as part of a project funded by proceeds from a portion of every HVAC installation Dykstra Home Services completes.
Dykstra has also been extremely involved in the Chicago South Elks #1596 East District lodge for over 10 years, helping it to become the top rated Elks lodge in Illinois.
He has served in many positions of leadership, including auditor and head of charity events, safety and community affairs, and was presented with the Elks’ Citizen of the Year Award in 2014-2015. He has also served as Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis, and has been active on numerous Kiwanis District and International Committees.
“It’s a very cool thing to be inducted into the Carrier Hall of Fame,” said Dykstra. “I’ve been attending the awards events for years and it’s quite an accomplishment to be honored this year. It’s difficult to put into words, but I can certainly say that I’m very proud of this award.”
Carrier is thrilled to add Dykstra to the proud legacy of its Hall of Fame inductees. For more information, visit www.residential.carrier.com/dealers/index.shtml or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter @CarrierAtHome.
