It wasn?t just hard work that made Al Washington successful ? it was his approach to doing business.
The president and founder of Baltimore-based AWA Mechanical Inc., Washington began the full-service mechanical, HVAC and plumbing service specializing in industrial sites and schools in 1994 and hasn?t looked back since. Well, maybe once, when he brought his wife, Karen Washington, on board to serve as the vice president of AWA.
“I never imagined this,” said Karen, who married Al in 1993. “But I knew Al had a lot of great ideas and was very dedicated and had great drive.”
Today, the 16-employee, 12-repair truck business that Washington, 51, operates takes him not only out of state, but also out of the country. Serving more than 100 clients, Washington admits that sometimes can be a hard thing, trying to keep up a large work force and continually recruiting employees who will represent AWA according to his company aims.
“You don?t have people that want to do a dirty, gritty job anymore,” Washington said. “It?s a struggle to find someone who is good at math and science and is well-spoken, too.”
Washington served in the United States Marine Corps for six years before being trained by his local pipe fitters union to work in the heating and refrigeration field. Once Washington?s old employer, Smith Refrigeration, folded, he saw an opportunity to go after a huge client base without someone to serve them.
Despite going through the hurdles that any small business faces starting up, Washington was always sure to keep AWA?s focus on customer satisfaction. John Logue, the planning data analyst for Prince George?s County Public Schools, has kept the district a client of Washington?s for the past decade.
“He?s very good. I have worked with him for the [past] 10 years,” Logue said. “He does service work and plumbing work very professionally and is a very top-notch organization.”
As for their free time, Al and Karen are huge Ravens fans, holding season tickets for the past eight years. With their three children grown and out of the house, the couple has a chance to relax and enjoy their time together.
“It?s great that we have a chance to go out and do things and we are young enough to be able to enjoy it,” Al said.
Al Washington
» First job: Served in the United States Marine Corps
» Education/credentials: Training from the United Association of Steamfitters Local No. 486, Anne Arundel County Master HVAC-R License, State of Maryland Master HVAC-R License, Baltimore City Master Gas License and WSSC Master Gas License
» Daily e-mails received: 50
» Daily voice mails received: Four to 10
» Essential Web sites: Msn.com and Comcast.com
» Career objective: Create a quality company that can be self-sufficent
» Favorite gadget: Pocket multitool
» Hometown: Baltimore
» Birth date: Oct. 22, 1955
» Original aspirations: Astronaut
» Sports/hobbies: Huge Ravens fan, basketball and baseball
