Donna Pohl

The CAA Business of the Year award, which was given out at the CAA’s annual dinner,  is about more than recognizing a financially successful business. It’s about honoring a CAA member business that shows a commitment to its employees and provides significant economic and social benefits to the Central Adirondack community.

The CAA Board of Directors is proud to accept the nomination of the Economic Development Committee, BJ Queen Enterprises, as Business of the Year for 2010. BJ Queen Enterprises, with Kathy and BJ Queen at the helm, demonstrates achievement in management, workplace excellence and community responsibility.  Their leadership of the mechanical contracting company demonstrates the strength and vitality which comes from courage, strength and a commitment to quality, service and community.

BJ Queen Enterprises has been providing plumbing, electrical, heating, refrigeration, restaurant equipment, air conditioning and generator services to the Central Adirondack region since 1993. The company provides year round employment for seven with nine on the payroll during the busy summer/fall season. Bj is known for his service. You can call him at 11 o’clock at night with a walk-in cooler emergency and he’s there to repair that night. Ice machine on the fritz? You don’t wait for service because BJ knows the importance of getting back to working conditions as quickly as possible . BJ also backs up his mistakes. If he or any of his service people make an error in repair or judgment, BJ replaces or redoes the service, with no strings attached.

I asked BJ what his biggest challenge is as a businessman. His answer?  “Collecting receivables.”  

When asked what one of his most memorable on-the-job experiences is he replied:  “I retrieved Betty Draper’s wedding ring out of a sink trap. Boy was she thrilled.”

It’s conceivable refrigeration coolant runs through BJ’s veins! He started working in his father’s refrigeration and air conditioning business in the Baltimore/DC area when he was eight years old and hasn’t looked back since.   

Snowmobiling is what brought BJ to the Central Adirondacks. In search of snow, BJ drove north to the Old Forge area in 1984 and of course encountered our fabulous snow and trail system. He also met Kathy, who hails from Whitesboro (Utica), NY. They fell in love, married and decided to establish themselves in the Old Forge area since they both loved it and wanted to raise their children here. Collectively they have seven children with Ryan, age 16, and Maggie, age 12, being their offspring. BJ’s oldest son, Bobby the third, works with his dad in the business as does Ryan, his youngest son.

BJ Queen Enterprises donates to many organizations and events. He knows the importance of supporting community. He’s also a member of the Northwoods  Masonic Lodge. Kathy serves as president of the Inlet Common School Board.

BJ and Kathy support the Old Forge Center For the Arts both through contributions and volunteering. They also are planning to help chair another “One Square Mile of Hope” charity kayaking event in Inlet next summer.

The CAA Economic Development committee considered the following criteria in the Business of the Year selection process.

Criteria for Economic Impact include:  

provides consistently valued product or services over the long term

Provides employment (year round a plus)

Engages in marketing efforts that have regional impact

Criteria for Social Impact include:

Generously supports community events and the CAA

Personal volunteerism

Leadership with community organizations

BJ Queen Enterprises measures up to all the criteria and then some. We celebrate their success. Congratulations Kathy and BJ Queen.