Alan Energy Services Air Conditioning and Heating Company will receive the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year Award for 2023 at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 105th Annual Awards Gala held in the Presidential Room at Elm West Banquets, 681 West Avenue, on Friday, March 22, from 5 to 9 p.m.  Click HERE to register.

A long-time member of the Spring Road Business Association and an active Chamber member since 1967, Alan celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2023, including co-hosting ECCI’s Business After Hours last October.

“Service businesses like Alan provide the bedrock upon which neighborhood business districts and the Elmhurst business community at large maintain their vibrancy and impact, while mega marts and shopping centers come and go,” stated John R. Quigley, ECCI’s President and CEO since 1999.

The annual award is given based on a member’s contributions to the Chamber’s success, to the betterment of both the business community and Elmhurst community, and impact in their field of business, each in the given year and historically, along with years in business and years as a Chamber member.

The award presentation will be made Gosia Baran, Owner of Helping Hands Cleaning Service, the 2022 Business of the Year honoree, and Quigley.

Alan Heating Air Conditioning was founded in 1948 by John Alan Macnider, who passed away in 1975 at the age of 72.  The family-owned and -operated business later included Macnider’s son, Roger Alan, in 1949 and then grandson, Michael Alan, in 1977.  Energy Services purchased Alan in January of 2020.

Eric Weech, Alan’s Vice President of Operations, currently serves as President of the Spring Road Business Association and has played an instrumental role in the organizing and staging of the Association’s many community-focused events.

The annual award, which features a traveling trophy and permanent plaque, is named in memory of A.J. “Toche” Terrones, who served as Chamber President for nearly a decade until his death in July of 1999.

Business of the Year honorees include Elmhurst University (2022), Edward-Elmhurst Health (2020), Elmhurst Auto Group (2019), Elmhurst Independent (2018), Brewpoint Coffee (2017), Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria (2016), Café Amano (2015), West Suburban Office Products (2014), Community Bank of Elmhurst (2013 and 1999), York Furrier (2012), Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (2011), OEC Business Interiors (2010), Harris Bank Elmhurst (2009), Diplomat West Banquet Halls (2008), Suburban Bank & Trust Co. (2007), Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge (2006), York Theatre (2005), Synergistic Networks, Inc. (2004), The Silverado Grill (2003), Great American Exteriors (2002), Cardinal Cartridge, Inc. (2001) and Unique Travel Service, Ltd. (2000).

The traveling trophy of an 11-inch-high glass sculpture featuring colors from ECCI’s Elm Leaf logo atop a 4.5″-inch-high glass base will be displayed by Alan Energy Service until the Chamber’s Annual Awards Gala in 2025, while an award plaque with a nameplate listing Alan Energy Service is on permanent display at the Chamber office.

Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.

The Elmhurst Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community.

The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.