The Source

HVAC company sells to another local
27-year-old area business, Leach • Remmers, bought by Richie Whalen

By Marcel Pacatte
The Source Newspaper

Jeff Leach has sold his business, Leach • Remmers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., of Jacksonville, to Richie Whalen. The deal closed April 1.

It’s not hard to figure out the Jeff Leach part: He and Gary Remmers started their business 27 years ago;

Remmers retired several years ago and Leach has accomplished what he set out to do with the business.

The Richie Whalen part is more of an enigma. He already is a part of a business, Whalen Trucking, Inc., and manages day-to-day operations as president of that business, which his father and uncle started more than 50 years ago.

When asked why he would want to buy a comparatively smaller operation such as Leach • Remmers, something that doesn’t have any synergies with the trucking business, he flips it: “I couldn’t find a reason why not.”

He said he wants people to understand who he is and why buying Leach • Remmers is the right move for him.

Whalen has been involved with the trucking business since graduating from Illinois State University in 2008, and he doesn’t plan to end his relationship there, just shift to a less intensive role as he takes on the new challenge of Leach • Remmers.

He plans to be an active owner, as Leach has been, bidding jobs and installing HVAC in residences and businesses along with the existing crew.

And that part is going to take some time to learn, which also is why Leach isn’t going anywhere, having agreed to stay on to help train Whalen in the intricacies of heating and air conditioning as he transitions into the new business.

But there is no mistaking that Whalen is the owner and Leach now the employee, which probably has as much to do with both men’s personalities as it does with their respect for each other. When someone had a question and came to Leach, he pointed at Whalen. It was Whalen’s question to answer now. But if it’s a question Whalen has for Leach, Leach is happy to offer his guidance.

Whalen’s business experience, he said, is one of the reasons he decided to purchase the company. It is not solely his experience with specifically running a family business, though. Whalen has a background in business; he majored in small business administration and entrepreneurship. He adds, too, that while he enjoys the work he has been doing at Whalen Trucking, he is excited that buying Leach • Remmers will get him back to the roots of his degree.

“I’m always telling my kids they can do anything,” Whalen said, and this, he added, is his chance to prove that — not just to the six of them but to himself.

He said he always has had a healthy respect for people in the service industry and trades, and buying the business gives him a chance to gain more experience there.

But, still, why is he doing this?

He mentions Emily, his wife. She has encouraged him and supported him, he said, because she knows he is always pushing himself, looking for ways to grow as a person. “This couldn’t happen without the support of Emily and my family,” he said.

He also mentions some bankers, who have been key in making the transaction move smoothly.

“I was just looking for another opportunity,” he said, and this came along. He and his wife talked, and then he and Leach talked, and the opportunity worked and the deal was done.

He’s not looking to clean house or make wholesale changes, if any changes at all — one of the attractions is that what Leach has built is working, and working well. Whalen has a strong sense of the people involved in the business. He and Leach both agree on that point: Without the crew, there’s no business. The employees are the ambassadors dealing with the customers, whether it’s Peggy Schoondyke answering the phone or any of the guys going into homes and interacting with the customers on their turf. And if the customers aren’t happy with the work the employees produce, Leach wouldn’t have had anything to sell.

In fact, Whalen is so conscious of what the employees bring to the mix that when he was asked about having a photo taken for this story, his immediate response was to ask to do it early on a morning when everyone was present at the shop before starting their workday. He wanted them all to be included.

“It’s a family,” Whalen said.

Leach, laughing, added, “A family of misfits.”

In addition to covering Jacksonville, Leach • Remmers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. ventures out 30 miles in any direction, going to Wi******er, Beardstown, Virginia, White Hall, Waverly and Franklin, to name a few. Leach said that when the new housing market was really booming they did a lot of installing of systems for new construction in subdivisions being developed around town. They still do that but most of the work is redoing systems in existing homes.

Leach calls that building a puzzle from the ground up, implanting a system that will work in an existing structure, and that experience that he and Remmers developed over time, almost silently communicating to the other as they walked through a place together to bid a job, is what Whalen said he most hopes to tap into.

That noise you hear coming from the shop at 108A Ankrom Drive in Jacksonville is exactly that, Whalen tapping.

‘The best swing of my life’
Ezard finishes baseball career with iconic HR

By Ryne Turke
The Source Newspaper

Photos/Nicole Meismer and Special to The Source

Saying goodbye to baseball is never easy, but Drew Ezard went out with a moment he’ll never forget.

With a 5-2 lead heading into the ninth inning, Ezard and the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars looked destined for an opening-round win over the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds in the Division II Midwest Regionals.

That was until the Greyhounds answered with six runs, putting the Prairie Stars on the ropes, down 8-5. After scratching across two runs and down to their final out, Ezard found himself at the plate for the biggest at-bat of his career.

The Jacksonville native, who battled a torn labrum and rotator cuff injury for most of the season, achieved the dream of every person who’s ever played the game: a pinch-hit solo home run to tie it.

Ezard’s swing sent the game into extra innings, where UIS picked up a 10-8 victory.

Ezard says the moment will stick with him and his teammates forever.

“I didn’t even feel the ball hit the bat and kind of blacked out in the moment,” Ezard says. “I hit it and my arms just went straight up. I’m just happy to do whatever I can to help the team.”

The Prairie Stars’ postseason run would come to an end in the regional finals, but the home run was a fitting ending to Ezard’s baseball journey, which started and ended in Central Illinois.

As a standout at Jacksonville High School, Ezard hit .403 and collected more than 100 career varsity hits. The three-time All-Central State Eight selection continued his playing career at Lincoln Land Community College, where he smashed 17 home runs in two seasons.

Ezard’s senior season at UIS was one of his best, as he hit .268 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs. He says reflecting on his career is a full-circle moment that shows how far he’s come.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was 4 years old. For it to finally be over, I’m at a loss for words,” Ezard shares. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with my free time. It’s been a great journey, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything. It’s been great playing so close to home and representing my community.”

Ezard credits much of his development to the culture built at Jacksonville High School under coaches Cory Bunner and Dan Keller.

“I wouldn’t have the college career I had without the leadership of Coach

Bunner and Coach Keller pushing me in practice each day,” Ezard reveals. “They got my physical and mental game to the next level. They showed me you have to put the work in to get something out of this game. I couldn’t ask for a better experience getting to play as a freshman and having four great years as a Crimson.”

Jacksonville’s baseball success over the years has produced a long list of standout college players, something Ezard takes pride in being part of.

“It was a surreal moment playing against my former teammate Garrett Meyer

this year,” Ezard says. “He’s breaking so many records at Missouri S&T and putting together an unbelievable career. Playing at Lincoln Land with Will Rohlk and Ryan Maul were two of the best years of my life. Living with your best friends, seeing them every day and playing baseball is a feeling you can’t beat. Nolan Decker just wrapped up a great career at Illinois College, and I’m proud of what he’s accomplished. Quin Saxer is doing big things at John Wood, and Avery Dugan took me under his wing my freshman year. He’s a major reason I’ve been able to spend so many years playing the game I love.”

Ezard noted he’s thankful for everything baseball has given him, with plenty of highs and lows throughout his journey.

“Baseball is a game of adversity and failure,” Ezard says. “There’s no game that can prepare you for life better than baseball. I had to battle through some injuries in my career, but through the tough times, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ezard also took time to thank the people who supported him throughout his baseball journey.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without my family,” Ezard shares. “The countless hours at the ballparks and road trips. We’ve been everywhere in the country playing travel ball. They’ve been there every step of the way. I’m very proud to have such a great family.”

While his playing career may now be complete, Ezard doesn’t expect to stay away from the game for long.

“Nothing is set in stone. The door is open for coaching and lessons,” Ezard says. “I’m going to take a break from the game, but I don’t expect to be away from baseball for long. I’ve made so many friendships in baseball, so I want to give back to this sport that’s given so much to me. I want to help the next generation love the game as much as I do.”