Photo: Contributed

(L to R): Carrier?s Kris Nielsen and Mike Gonsalves, RPR's Leonard Nemechek and Terry Olfert, and Carrier?s Casey Yates.

Penticton’s RPR Heating and Air Conditioning is just the third Canadian company to be awarded Bryant’s Circle of Champions Award. 

The award recognizes excellence in the HVAC industry and contributions to the local community. 

Terry and Heather Olfert own and operate the business, now entering its 41st year, with 16 employees. RPR also captured “Business of the Year” in the 2019 Business Excellence Awards from the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, in part due to Terry and Heather’s philanthropic efforts. 

The couple tries to donate 10 per cent of what they make to organizations like CritterAid, a local dragon boat team, mental health groups and sponsorship of a family in Mexico.

Cancer organizations, like Tomorrow’s Hope, are also a big part of the couple’s charity work. 

“Both of our moms passed away from cancer and some of our staff’s parents have passed away from cancer,” explained Terry. 

The Bryant’s Circle of Champions Award is typically awarded to American dealerships, so Terry says it is satisfying to be the third Canadian firm ever to capture it. 

“It’s a lot of hard work, it's about positive feedback, treating your customers correctly. Really it's just about running your company as straight and honest as you possibly can.”

“We don’t do this without an amazing set of staff. We have the best office girls and installers and service guys,” he added. “Our team allows us to be able to get to where we are. It allows us, when we make money, we are happy to share it in the community.”