MSCA21 D.S. O’Brien Award Goes to Dick Starr

Dick Starr received the 2021 D.S. O’Brien Award of Excellence at the MSCA21 education conference in Scottsdale, AZ on October 14. This award was established in 2000 to recognize individuals who exhibit extraordinary dedication and outstanding commitment to our industry and to MSCA.

MSCA Board of Managers Chair Mike Star presented the award, saying:

I am certain you will agree that this year’s winner exemplifies all those traits.  This year’s winner is also very special to me as a long time family friend and I met him at my very first MSCA conference.  He has been a friend, mentor and an inspiration to me, both personally and professionally, in so many ways ever since.  He was very influential in encouraging me to get active in MSCA and look where that has taken me today. 

In 1977 our winner purchased a small HVAC company in Cleveland, OH and over 40 years grew it to one of the leading providers of HVAC services and controls in the area. In 2011 he was named Commercial Contractor of the year by Contracting Business Magazine. He has served on numerous MSCA and MCAA committees and was the MSCA chair in 2014.  He was also the brains behind the MSCA Everyday Hero Award.  He has a passion for educating and recruiting young people and fostering an interest in our industry.  He performs volunteer work for a number of organizations and is active in his Church.

Above all though, he is a family man – married to his wife Patti, father to 4 daughters and a grandfather to 11.  He is an expert on paying for weddings and if you need advice, I’m certain he would be happy to share.  And, I also hear, he is now a published author.

MCAA and MSCA appreciate Dick’s dedication to and passion for our industry and our association. Congratulations!