HVAC & Industrial Controls Co. was founded in 1995 by Claude Stick, a man known for his honesty and strong moral compass. Claude, having spent many years in the industry, was a key figure in the success of a local company called Appalachian Controls. After years of dedication, Claude began to see better ways to help the community. He had the vision to start his own company, but lacked the financial means to make it happen.

Determined to pursue his dream, Claude approached a local contractor, proposing a partnership. With a handshake agreement and a $50,000 loan, HVAC & Industrial Controls was born. For years, Claude worked tirelessly—7 days a week, 12-hour days—building relationships and helping contractors grow by providing parts, knowledge, and support in the HVAC industry. What he didn’t realize at the time was how deeply he was impacting the community around him.

By 2023, after nearly three decades of hard work, Claude began to feel the weight of the years. He had built a successful business, but had no formal retirement plan. He had employees and lifelong friendships to consider. Then, one day, a young entrepreneur, Andrew “AJ” Tignor, sat in his office, seeking Claude’s expertise on a boiler older than AJ himself.

AJ had worked his way up from being a residential install helper to becoming the lead boiler tech at a local company—the very same company that had helped Claude start HVAC & Industrial Controls with a small business loan. What began as a casual conversation quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. During their talks, Claude remarked that he was getting too old for this work. AJ jokingly suggested, “Why don’t you sell out to me, and you can retire?” Little did AJ know, this comment would spark a life-changing decision for both of them.

Claude later shared with AJ that the idea reminded him of a friend from Pittsburgh, Gina, who owned a company called TF Campbell Co. He called Gina to see if she was interested in purchasing his business so he could retire. She laughed, joking about never getting to retire herself. After much contemplation, Claude decided that the help he had received to get HVAC started had shaped his entire career, and he wanted to pass on his business to someone who understood and respected its value.

Claude called AJ in for a serious conversation. After much thought, Claude agreed to work with AJ to transition ownership of HVAC & Industrial Controls Co. to him. AJ, understanding the significance of this opportunity, spent months learning everything he could from Claude. With Claude’s guidance, AJ quickly took the reins and began growing the business.

Today, HVAC & Industrial Controls Co. continues to grow, and AJ, along with his wife Sidney, now manages both HVAC & Industrial Controls Co. and TF Campbell Co. in Pennsylvania. Their success is rooted not just in business acumen but in strong, guiding principles. AJ and Sidney firmly believe that they owe everything to God and their community, recognizing that their lives were set in motion long ago by a higher purpose.

AJ now oversees a team of 11 employees and remains focused on where God will take him next. HVAC & Industrial Controls and TF Campbell Co. are thriving, and their growth shows no signs of slowing down. AJ and Sidney lead their companies with a simple but powerful philosophy: “Love everyone, forgive all. Be a person that others can look up to. If you take care of your customers, they will take care of you.” These values drive their business every day, and their commitment to their employees and customers is at the heart of their continued success.