61 - The Evolution of HVAC: How Technology and Family Values Shape the Future
Balancing Legacy and Innovation: Lessons from Bobby Ring of Meyer & Depew Company
In this episode of the Growing Up B2B Podcast, host Ed Delia sits down with Bobby Ring, President and CEO of Meyer & Depew Company, a New Jersey-based leader in heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services. As a second-generation business owner, Bobby shares powerful insights into how he’s modernized a family company founded in 1953—without losing sight of the values that built its reputation. From leadership development to technological adoption and workforce evolution, this episode is packed with lessons for anyone guiding a family-run B2B business through change.
Leading Through Legacy, People, and Progress
For Bobby Ring, the foundation of leadership was laid early—long before he became CEO. Growing up in the family business, he learned the importance of hard work and humility by doing the basics first: cleaning parts, running errands, and helping technicians. Those early lessons shaped his belief that great leadership begins with understanding every role in the company.
That humility, combined with a deep respect for people, continues to drive Meyer & Depew’s success. Bobby recalls how a small, thoughtful gesture from one of the company’s founders—sending him a congratulatory card as a child—taught him the lifelong value of personal connection. Today, that same approach to relationships is central to the company’s culture. Meyer & Depew thrives on building trust not only with customers but also with employees, many of whom have been with the company for decades. “Recognizing people for who they are and what they contribute goes further than any incentive program,” Bobby notes.
Even with a deep respect for tradition, Bobby understands that innovation is essential. Under his leadership, Meyer & Depew has embraced new HVAC technologies, from high-efficiency systems to smart thermostats and AI-enabled tools that enhance efficiency and service quality. Yet, Bobby emphasizes that technology should never replace human expertise—it should elevate it. His philosophy combines doing the job right the first time with staying ahead of change, ensuring the business remains both reliable and relevant in a competitive market.
About Bobby Ring
Bobby Ring is the President and CEO of Meyer & Depew Company, where he continues his family’s 70-year legacy of excellence in HVAC design, installation, and service. A respected voice in the trades, Bobby is known for his hands-on leadership, commitment to employee growth, and passion for advancing professionalism in the HVAC industry. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
About Meyer & Depew Company
Founded in 1953, Meyer & Depew Company provides top-quality heating, cooling, and indoor air quality solutions throughout New Jersey. As a family-owned business with a legacy of craftsmanship and integrity, Meyer & Depew blends time-tested service values with cutting-edge HVAC innovation—offering both residential and commercial clients reliability, comfort, and trust.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
Why early hands-on experience builds future-ready leaders
The power of small, personal gestures in building loyalty and culture
How external career experience can strengthen family business leadership
Balancing innovation and tradition in a legacy-driven industry
The importance of training, mentoring, and long-term workforce development
Conclusion
In this Growing Up B2B episode, Bobby Ring demonstrates that true leadership in a family business isn’t just about growth—it’s about stewardship. By blending timeless values with forward-thinking innovation, Meyer & Depew Company continues to serve as a model for how legacy brands can evolve, inspire, and thrive in a changing world.
Explore Ed Delia’s website to learn more about leadership strategies for family businesses and B2B growth. If you’re a B2B leader with insights to share, apply to be a guest on the Growing Up B2B Podcast here.
