Lisa Hammer, corporate secretary, and Bud Hammer, president.
Commercial HVAC company Atlantic Westchester’s mission — “making buildings smarter” through proactive maintenance and installation services — dates back more than half a century. But the key to the Bedford Hills-based company’s continued success lies in their ability to adapt to face 21st-century challenges. As environmental responsibility becomes an ever more pressing concern, Atlantic Westchester found its niche by facing that challenge head-on, emerging as local leaders in energy-efficient HVAC solutions for businesses and government institutions across a wide range of sectors.
Atlantic Westchester, run by husband-wife team Bud and Lisa Hammer and owned by the Hammer family since 1979, is the first HVAC contractor in the county to receive official green certification from the county’s Green Business Partnership. Recent sustainability initiatives include purchasing a more efficient fleet of transport vans and retrofitting their company office with LED lighting and solar panels.
The firm is also embracing the digital shift, working to improve logistical efficiency through use of smart-tech communications. (The company is entirely paperless as of January.) Thanks in part to these forward-thinking efforts, the Business Council of Westchester recently honored Atlantic Westchester with the Chairman’s Recognition Award at their 2018 Hall of Fame Dinner.
The Hammers have overseen the company’s expansion from a mom-and-pop operation to a multi-department company with 30 current employees. According to President Bud Hammer, it’s precisely because of their small size and familial spirit that they can successfully adapt and thrive. “We have surrounded our company with smart, competent people who can respond to a crisis situation quickly and efficiently,” Hammer says. “If need be, decision-makers are always available for advice.”
