Companies cut or suspend ties with local CEO over social media comment

Four local institutions have announced they are suspending or cutting ties with the founder and chief executive of a local heating, ventilation and air-conditioning company after that executive’s recent comments on Facebook regarding the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Dayton Children’s Hospital, the University of Dayton and WHIO-TV and WHIO radio in Facebook posts of their own said they took the actions because of recent comments made by McAfee Heating and Air CEO Greg McAfee on Facebook.

In a Facebook post, McAfee posted a statement on Monday: “Wake up America, George Floyd’s death was totally planned out!!”

The post has since been deleted. It appears that McAfee’s personal Facebook account has been terminated or placed on hiatus. But some social media users screen-saved the comment. A Twitter account for his company remains but has not posted since 2017.

Asked via email Friday if he had any comment or response, McAfee said: “”I’m working on it. You’ll know soon.”

“Today, Dayton Children’s officially cut ties to any further sponsorships or funding from Greg McAfee, a local businessman and financial supporter, after we became aware of social media remarks that we consider inappropriate and inconsistent with our values,” Dayton Children’s said Thursday in a post on social media. “Dayton Children’s embraces diversity and inclusion as fundamental to the fulfillment of our mission … the relentless pursuit of optimal health of every child within our reach.”

The University of Dayton announced a similar move Friday.

“The University of Dayton stands in support of the Black community,” UD said on Facebook Friday. “After becoming aware of social media posts from Greg McAfee that we believe are contrary to our values of diversity, inclusion and respect, and that sow division, the University of Dayton has discontinued its partnerships with McAfee Heating and Air. The university is committed to working to heal the divisions that are harming our nation.”

WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio, both owned by Cox Media Group, which is not affiliated with the Dayton Daily News, announced McAfee advertisements are suspended from the stations at this time.

“WHIO TV and Radio are proud supporters of the Dayton community,” WHIO said on Facebook. “We received your comments and have heard you — and truly appreciate your care and concern for WHIO and the Dayton community during this difficult time. McAfee Heating and Air’s advertising on WHIO TV and Radio is now suspended. As a news organization, we will not be commenting further.”

McAfee has no advertising placed with the Dayton Daily News, a company spokesperson said.

TV station WDTN also released a statement Friday, saying, “McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning is not currently advertising on WDTN and will not be for the foreseeable future.”

State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, praised the move by Dayton Children’s and said McAfee had written “bigoted things about me” in an email to a mutual contact. “No one should do business with him,” Antani wrote on Twitter Friday.

McAfee started his business 30 years ago and had 45 employees last year. The company does primarily residential work, installation and repairs, including air duct cleaning. The company has a sheet metal shop in house for custom duct work.

About the Author