The Unified Group welcomed their owners to Cancun, Mexico for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum. The combination of productive sessions and time to connect with fellow members made the event both impactful and memorable for all who attended.

Jaime Quello of Peterson Sheet Metal, our meeting MC, began our meeting with a warm welcome and introductions. The highlight of day one was a presentation on Leadership given by Paul Gosserand of CMC Corporate Solutions. As he steps into his June retirement, he is leaving us with one final gift: the wisdom, lessons, examples of true leadership and the value of building meaningful relationships. We wrapped up the first day by having a beautiful beachfront lunch together. 

“There’s something powerful about being in a room full of like-minded, caring, and intelligent leaders. Hearing the pride in their voices as they spoke about their teams and, on several occasions, calling themselves blessed to have the people they do. That kind of leadership is different within the industry yet so normal within our membership,” said Frank Quintanar of J&J Air Conditioning. 

The second day included a panel on Employee Retention, where panelists and attendees discussed what they have put in place that is working well to keep current employees and attract new ones. A Strategic Breakout followed, where prior to the meeting members shared areas that need extra attention or feedback within their organization. To wrap the session, John Baker with CW Suter shared his ESOP story and Brian King with Westbrook Service Company explained their ownership structure. 

Tom Dacres of VHV Company stated, “the best part for me was the peer interaction and honest dialogue. The openness and trust within this group is rare. I always leave Unified events sharper, more focused, and grateful to be part of a community that truly wants each other to succeed.”

For our group activity, members headed out on a Taco Tour to experience the true flavors of Cancun! With exclusive access to four top-rated taquerías, we sampled authentic local favorites, learned about the history and traditions behind each dish, and enjoyed the vibrant culture that makes Cancun so special.

“This peer group is unique. Leaders are connected well beyond just elevating our people, processes and our businesses. The Unified Group’s Core Values are evident in our relationships at the ownership level and throughout our teams. Our relationships and commitment to sharing best practices to elevate each other runs deep and wide,” stated Pansy Romo of Intech Mechanical. 

The 2026 Annual Meeting & Owners’ Forum once again demonstrated the power of collaboration, trust, and shared learning that defines The Unified Group. Members returned home energized with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a continued commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Upcoming forums include Sales, Controls, and Financial. If you’re interested in learning more about attending a meeting or becoming a member of The Unified Group, contact Janet Kelleher at [email protected].