Around The Sun Heating & Cooling
Serving the East Valley for 20 Years Strong
At its core, Around the Sun Heating & Cooling has never just been about heating and cooling, it’s about taking care of people. And after 20 years, that purpose still guides everything they do.
Derris Amsler leads Around the Sun Heating & Cooling into its next chapter with a deep respect for the trust, integrity, and reputation the company has built in the Arizona community over the past 20 years.
Before acquiring Around the Sun in 2025, Derris spent decades in leadership roles across the home services and retail industries. His career includes serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Your Home Improvement Company, Vice President of Operations at Window Nation, and holding multiple executive roles at The Home Depot, where he oversaw installed services operations exceeding $180 million annually and led large, multi-state teams.
Throughout his career, Derris has been known for building strong teams, simplifying complex operations, and creating steady, sustainable growth. His leadership philosophy is simple: when you take care of your people, they take care of your customers.
Outside of work, Derris is first and foremost a family man. His wife, Dori, is his partner in everything, and he often credits her support as a big part of his journey. Together, they’ve built a close-knit family that remains at the center of their lives.
He’s a proud father of three Payton, Drew, and Jace and stays closely connected with them despite the miles between Tennessee, Florida, and Minnesota. Their family also includes their dog, Gino, along with extended family who play an important role in their lives.
For Derris, the values that guide his family integrity, loyalty, hard work, and genuinely taking care of people are the same values he brings into the business every day.
20th Anniversary CEO Interview Milestone Reflection
What does the 20-year milestone mean to you personally?
Reaching 20 years means a lot. It represents consistency, trust, and all the relationships built along the way, one home at a time. For me personally, it’s a reminder that showing up and doing the right thing, day after day, really does matter. It’s something I’m proud of, but also something I feel a responsibility to continue.
Reaching 20 years means a lot. It represents consistency, trust, and all the relationships built along the way, one home at a time. For me personally, it’s a reminder that showing up and doing the right thing, day after day, really does matter. It’s something I’m proud of, but also something I feel a responsibility to continue.
What stands out most when you reflect on the company reaching two decades?
The people. Both our customers and our team. We’ve had customers with us for years, even decades, and that kind of loyalty isn’t something you can manufacture it comes from trust. And behind that is a team that genuinely cares about the work they do.
The people. Both our customers and our team. We’ve had customers with us for years, even decades, and that kind of loyalty isn’t something you can manufacture it comes from trust. And behind that is a team that genuinely cares about the work they do.
Why does longevity matter to homeowners choosing an HVAC company?
It gives people peace of mind. When a company has been around this long, it shows they’ve built something stable and reliable. Homeowners want to know the company they call today will still be there when they need them again down the road.
It gives people peace of mind. When a company has been around this long, it shows they’ve built something stable and reliable. Homeowners want to know the company they call today will still be there when they need them again down the road.
Why was it important to keep the Around the Sun name and values intact after the ownership transition?
The name already meant something to people long before I stepped into ownership. It represented trust that had been earned over time. Keeping that intact felt important not just for the business, but for the customers who already believed in it.
What were the non-negotiables when stepping into ownership?
Honesty, quality work, and treating people the right way both customers and employees. That was never up for debate. I’ve always believed that if you take care of your team, they’ll take care of your customers.
Honesty, quality work, and treating people the right way both customers and employees. That was never up for debate. I’ve always believed that if you take care of your team, they’ll take care of your customers.
How would you explain to customers what has not changed at Around the Sun?
At the core, nothing has changed. We still show up when we say we will, we still walk people through their options, and we still treat every home with care and respect.
At the core, nothing has changed. We still show up when we say we will, we still walk people through their options, and we still treat every home with care and respect.
What values have guided the company over the last 20 years?
Integrity, accountability, and genuinely caring about people. Those values show up in the small, everyday moments not just the big ones.
Integrity, accountability, and genuinely caring about people. Those values show up in the small, everyday moments not just the big ones.
What does taking care of customers mean in day-to-day operations?
It starts with listening. Then being honest about what’s needed and just as important, what’s not. It also means respecting someone’s home and their time.
It starts with listening. Then being honest about what’s needed and just as important, what’s not. It also means respecting someone’s home and their time.
How do you maintain quality and honesty as the company grows?
We’re intentional about it. Growth only works if the quality stays strong. That means investing in training and making sure our team feels supported. We’d rather grow steadily and do it right than rush it.
We’re intentional about it. Growth only works if the quality stays strong. That means investing in training and making sure our team feels supported. We’d rather grow steadily and do it right than rush it.
Why is serving the local community so important to you?
Because this is home, the people we serve aren’t just customers they’re neighbors, families, and friends. Supporting the community that supports us just feels natural.
Because this is home, the people we serve aren’t just customers they’re neighbors, families, and friends. Supporting the community that supports us just feels natural.
What does building long-term customer relationships mean to the company?
It means we’re thinking beyond a single service call. We want to be the company people feel comfortable calling year after year.
It means we’re thinking beyond a single service call. We want to be the company people feel comfortable calling year after year.
Are there moments that remind you why this work matters?
Definitely. Especially during extreme weather or when something unexpected happens in someone’s home. Those moments remind you how much people rely on you and that what we do really does make a difference.
Definitely. Especially during extreme weather or when something unexpected happens in someone’s home. Those moments remind you how much people rely on you and that what we do really does make a difference.
How important is the team in delivering great customer experiences?
They’re everything. Great service doesn’t come from a name, it comes from people who care.
They’re everything. Great service doesn’t come from a name, it comes from people who care.
What do you look for when hiring new team members?
Skill matters, but character matters more. We look for people who are dependable, honest, and want to do right by others. Culture is a big deal for us.
Skill matters, but character matters more. We look for people who are dependable, honest, and want to do right by others. Culture is a big deal for us.
How does leadership support the team to ensure quality service?
By giving them what they need training, tools, and support and by listening. My role is really to remove obstacles so they can focus on taking care of the customer.
By giving them what they need training, tools, and support and by listening. My role is really to remove obstacles so they can focus on taking care of the customer.
Where do you see Around the Sun heading next?
We’ll continue to grow, but thoughtfully. Expanding what we offer while staying grounded in the way we’ve always done things.
We’ll continue to grow, but thoughtfully. Expanding what we offer while staying grounded in the way we’ve always done things.
How do you balance growth with staying true to the company’s roots?
By always coming back to the same question: “Is this the right thing for the customer?” That’s what keeps us aligned.
By always coming back to the same question: “Is this the right thing for the customer?” That’s what keeps us aligned.
What excites you most about the future?
Continuing to serve families, building up our team, and carrying forward what’s already been built over the last 20 years.
Continuing to serve families, building up our team, and carrying forward what’s already been built over the last 20 years.
What would you like to say to customers who have trusted Around the Sun over the years?
Just thank you. Truly. We don’t take that trust lightly, and we wouldn’t be here without it.
Just thank you. Truly. We don’t take that trust lightly, and we wouldn’t be here without it.
Why should homeowners feel confident choosing Around the Sun today?
Because we care about doing things the right way. That’s been true from the beginning, and it still is today.
Because we care about doing things the right way. That’s been true from the beginning, and it still is today.
How would you sum up the company after 20 years?
A company built on trust, carried by people, and focused on doing right by the customers we serve. Visit Around the Sun: www.aroundthesunaz.com
A company built on trust, carried by people, and focused on doing right by the customers we serve. Visit Around the Sun: www.aroundthesunaz.com
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