Griffin Service Corporation, The History of a Local Company Compiled by Robert P. Sutton, Chapter Historian, March 17, 1997.

James P. Griffin Owner, 1945-1953

Lester K. Olson Owner, 1954-1975

James H. Lingerfelt Owner, 1975-1988

In the days shortly before the end of World War II Tampa, Florida was becoming known as a very important port area, with national and worldwide shipping industries abound in the port area called the Tampa Estuary. Most of the downtown areas of Tampa were still in their growing stages and Ybor City, the Cigar making Mecca, was in its heyday. Air conditioning was becoming popular, especially in places like the Tampa Theater where first run movies were being shown.

In this setting, one of Tampa's oldest continually operating air conditioning companies was started in September 1945 by partners Louis Sanchez and Jimmie Griffin The company was first named Sanchez-Griffin Appliance Service. Also joining the firm at its beginning was Lester Olson. Lester had left a supervisory position at the Tampa Shipyard and took a great risk and salary cut to help start up the new company. His first job was to paint the company name on the front window. But ship building was drawing to a close and it was the right time to make such a move.

Lester Olson, Louis Sanchez, and Jimmie Griffin met at the shipyard and had worked in the same department. Lester was an assistant foreman in the Mechanical Piping area, and Louis Sanchez and Jimmie Griffin had been installing refrigeration and air conditioning piping aboard C-2 cargo vessels and minesweepers.

Unfortunately, the Sanchez-Griffin partnership lasted only one year. Mr. Sanchez left, and Jimmie Griffin changed the name of the company to Griffin Appliance Service. At that point Mr. Griffin made the decision to split the profits evenly, with one third to Griffin, one third to Mr. Olson, and one third back into the company.

The bulk of business consisted of repairing household appliances, installing space heaters for Guida's American Venetian Blinds, delivering and setting up refrigerators and ranges for Wilbur Guernsey's Associated Radio, and installing space heaters and kitchen appliances for builders Gabe and De Hart Ayala. Soon they were traveling throughout the state for Johnston Fixture Company installing refrigerated display cases and walk-in boxes for "mom and pop" grocery stores. The firm had many interesting experiences and growing pains. In one instance they remembered trying to deliver long display cases from a limited delivery vehicle about 6 feet too short for the job.

The Tampa Estuary was a very busy port with banana boats arriving and departing 24 hours a day. In addition, many cargo and phosphate industry ships were docking in the Port Tampa area nearby. Many of these ships could not afford to have lost cargo due to down time of refrigeration. It was common to put a man aboard a pilot boat to meet the ships at sea, diagnose the problem, and order replacement parts by radio. The mechanic would be waiting ashore to make the repairs when the ship docked.

J.P. Griffin Appliance Service became J.P. Griffin, Inc. in 1949 and they ventured into the field of large construction installations. Some projects included clients like J.C. Penney, the Hillsborough County Courthouse, the St. Petersburg Police Headquarters, and the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

The Griffin-Olson partnership was very strong and lasted for many years, until the untimely death of Mr. Griffin in a plane crash while returning from a hunting trip on December 13, 1953.

At that point the business was busy on construction projects for Knight and Wall, Dr. Griffin Clinic, Morrison's Cafeteria in Orlando, the Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater, the Polk County Courthouse, and the Mass Brothers Department Store building in St. Petersburg.

The company was sold to Mr. Olson for $21,000 and he took over as owner on April 1, 1954. That same year, Mr. Frank Cooper, President of Knight and Wall agreed to finance a small office building, erected by J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Inc. for $3,507. Mr. Olson bartered and sold things and took out a loan for the remaining $2,700. to finance what was then to become the new home of the company. Mr. Olson erected a notable marquee in front of the building. This sign became a local landmark and many stories were told of the interesting sayings displayed on that sign.

Mr. Harry Lingerfelt joined the company in 1953 and by 1960 was running the construction section. In 1957, Mr. Ted Wade came on board and was later made head of all service work.

In 1962, Mr. Olson decided to spin off the service department and set it up as J.P. Griffin Service Corporation with Ted Wade as manager. Harry Lingerfelt continued in charge of J.P. Griffin, Inc. Each of these men then assumed total responsibility for operation of each company.

J.P Griffin, Inc. built on its many years of supermarket work and by 1962 they found themselves exclusively in that business. By late 1975, J.P. Griffin, Inc. had installed air conditioning or refrigeration in more than 500 Publix, A&P, Table Supply, Margaret Ann, Winn Lovett, Pantry Pride, Quik Chek, B&B, Kash & Karry, IGA, Grand Union, and Skagg Albertson supermarkets throughout Florida and Georgia. At one time in the Fall of 1962 and the spring of 1963, the company installed systems in more than 70 supermarkets and at one time during that period had men working in 12 A&P stores at the same time.

The construction of this many stores did not come without incidents. Mr. Bob Crane, Griffin's Sales Engineer, recalled one day receiving a call that the crew was severely behind schedule on a new Winn Dixie store. Mr. Crane quickly visited the site and found that the crew was far ahead of schedule on another store -by mistake- a few miles away. The problem was remedied and both stores were open and down to correct temperature on opening day.

On another occasion, Mr. Olson recalled, the firm was working on an air conditioning job for Howard Johnson Restaurants. Things went from bad to absolutely deplorable with the crew being told that they were not welcome on any more of their jobs. But unknown to the owners, the firm had just become successful bidder on another Howard Johnson project. Things were smoothed over an they were allowed to fulfill the contract. But on the day they were to start the job, the Griffin truck ran into the foreman's trailer and tipped it over with the foreman inside. To this day Mr. Olson says he loves Howard Johnson's, but regrets he only had the chance to work on two of them.

Mr. Harry Lingerfelt, after 35 years of dedication, unfortunately passed away suddenly in October 1988 and his son Bryan, who has been with J.P. Griffin, Inc.since 1975, now owns and operates the company today. The company employs over 13 people and specializes in commercial, industrial, and marine HVAC, and some residential work.

Shortly after Mr. Lingerfelt's death, Mr. Olson contacted the Center of Ethics at the University of Tampa and created an award named in Mr. Lingerfelt's memory. The award is to be given to an undergraduate student demonstrating high ethical standards and strong potential for business success and social responsibility. The award is presented by Harry's son twice a year and each recipient is presented with a plaque. A replica plaque with all the recipients' names and pictures is permanently displayed in the offices of J. P. Griffin, Inc. A master plaque is also on display in the Center of Ethics, at the University of Tampa.

J.P. Griffin Service Corporation has enjoyed steady growth since its inception. Each year the business has grown, both in terms of volume and employees. They now have over 12 service vehicles in operation 24 hours a day and over 20 employees. The company specializes in air conditioning and refrigeration service in commercial buildings, computer rooms, and marine vessels at sea and in port serving central Florida from Daytona Beach to St. Petersburg. On occasion they travel to install equipment or perform service on buildings and vessels in Mexico, Antiqua, Bahamas, and Africa. The firm has performed service work on the notable "Calypso", the research vessel of Jacques Cousteau. The firm is still owned and operated by Ted Wade.

In 1975, Mr. Lingerfelt purchased J.P. Griffin, Inc. and Ted Wade purchased Griffin Service Corporation from Lester Olson and his wife. The companies remained at the South Tampa Street location until after 1982, when extensive downtown development dictated their move to a new location. Today, divided by only a party wall, both firms are located in the same building with shared warehouse space. Mr. Olson still maintains a private office on the premises.

The company's rich history of over 50 years of service has been an enduring standard of excellence for the Tampa Bay area and the HVAC&R industry in general. The firm continues its operations today and maintains its high ideals and excellent reputation.