Ed Broerman, 40, had died of a heart attack. Julie Broerman, her family and friends were shocked, but they did not have much time to dwell on Ed Broerman’s death. The firm, Ed’s HVAC, Plumbing, Electric, had customers to serve.
Employees and their families were called with the news over the weekend. On Monday morning, everyone went back to work.
“We had things that needed to be taken care of,” recalled Paul Broerman, Ed’s brother and vice president of the company, located on Gibson Drive in Tipp City. “You knew that things were going to change. You just didn’t know how they were going to change and to what extent. You pick up the pieces.”
Julie Broerman, 49, has led the company since her husband’s death, sometimes following a trail Ed blazed by growing the company through acquisitions, but also by making decisions with people she trusts and putting her own stamp on the company.
The company has made five acquisitions in the past 10 years. The most recent was heating and cooling company Lynn’s Associate Services, of New Carlisle, last month. Ed’s retained Lynn’s three employees and now has 21 employees.
Ed’s started as many HVAC firms do, with one truck. Ed Broerman was just 19 when he started the business.
Ed grew the business while Julie focused on her career, serving as an assistant vice president at what was then the Citizens Federal Dayton Mall branch, then a Liberty Savings Bank assistant vice president, among other roles.
Ed’s first acquisition was Kilpatrick Heating & Cooling in 2000. By 2006, the firm was adding electrical and plumbing services, too.
The “weather-driven” business can be a roller coaster at times, Paul Broerman said. “It’s amazing when you have a summer like this. We all look like geniuses.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@ DaytonDailyNews.com.
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