We all work hard everyday to make sure that we meet and exceed the needs of every customer in all of our markets.

Theo Etzel, CEO and Owner

Theo brings decades of experience as a business executive and entrepreneur to Conditioned Air. Our CEO and owner since 1995, Theo has helped turn our passion for customer care and quality products and services into a thriving company serving all of SW Florida from Marco Island to Sarasota. Under his leadership, Conditioned Air has grown from $2.7 million in annual revenues to $24 million with just over 200 employees in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties.

Keith Walker, President and Chief Operating Officer

Keith started his career in finance and accounting and has held numerous positions in the construction industry. Keith, who is originally from San Antonio, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors degree in Business and Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to his current position as Chief Operations Officer for Conditioned Air Corporation, Keith was Vice President for an Austin based construction and land development company with revenues exceeding $100 million. Prior to that, Keith was Senior Accounting Manager for a San Antonio based general contractor with revenues exceeding $290 million. Keith started his career in public accounting as an auditor and tax accountant. In that position, he served the finance and accounting needs of many Texas based general contractors. Keith also spent 8 years in the United States Army.

 Carol Papesh, Sr. Vice President, CFO

Carol brings over 33 years experience in construction accounting to Conditioned Air.  Originally from the Cleveland, Ohio area Carol began her career with a general contractor and then went to E. B. Katz, a large mechanical contractor where she worked for over 22 years.     Carol also worked for an electrical contractor, a sheet metal contractor and did consulting work for a local accounting firm in their construction division before moving to the Naples area in 2004.   Carol attended classes at Miami University, Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga County Community College to enhance her education in construction accounting.   Carol also was a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association and Women in Construction.  Carol originally began her career with Conditioned Air as assistant controller.  In 2006 Carol was promoted to Chief Financial Officer, and in 2013 Carol was promoted to Sr. Vice President.

 Our Management Team

Tim Dupre, General Manager, Sarasota Division

Tim started his construction career at the age of fourteen to pay his own way through a home schooled education. He was working for his grandfather who was a local general contractor. This is where he learned the basics of general construction. After high school he came to Conditioned Air as a helper where he worked on several different types of projects from custom homes, multifamily, light commercial and tract homes. In December of 2008, Tim was promoted to New Construction Tract Manager and more recently, in June of 2011, Tim was promoted to General Manager of the Sarasota Division. Tim has been with Conditioned Air since 1998.

Jeffrey Zanella, General Manager, Ft. Myers Division 

Jeffrey L. Zanella was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He started his career working for his father’s plumbing and heating business. In 1977, he transitioned into the HVAC field and left his father’s company. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he started his own business in 1983 and specialized in light commercial and custom residential HVAC. Jeff is a past member of local 265, a sheet metal workers union. Since 1983, he has held a state certification in air conditioning in Florida and Illinois. From 2001 through 2003, Jeff served on the planning and zoning board in Minooka, Illinois. Jeff has been with Conditioned Air Corporation since he moved to Naples in 2004.

Vito DiPalma, New Construction Manager

Vito DiPalma is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He started working in the HVAC industry in high school as an air conditioning replacement installer. Vito later graduated from Triton College, where he focused on and studied HVAC. Five years later, he started and successfully ran his own air conditioning company for 10 years. In 1989 Vito moved to Naples, FL and a few years later started with Conditioned Air. Vito is now responsible for 40 + employees, including both field and administrative staff and has been with Conditioned Air 18 years. Vito’s department specializes in Custom New Construction, Retrofits and Commercial HVAC projects. 

Tom Kozial, Service Manager

Tom was born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.  He began his career in the HVAC field in 1994 while still in high school.  The experience that Tom brings is from all aspects of the HVAC industry from fabrication, to new construction, to replacements and particularly to service.  In 2004 Tom brought his years of experience to Conditioned Air as a service technician.  In March of 2010 he was promoted to Assistant Service Manager and in January 2013 he was promoted to Service Manager.  Currently Tom is the Vice President of SWACCA, the local ACCA chapter, and he will be named President of SWACCA in February.  Tom plans to continue to lead the service department in the traditions set forth in our mission statement and our core values.

Joyce McVaugh, Purchasing Manager

Joyce has over 30 years experience in purchasing and inventory control. Prior to relocating to Florida in 1994, Joyce worked for 17 years at Numonics Corporation, a peripherals manufacturer of white boards and digitizers. Locally, Joyce has worked in office management and purchasing in the high-tech and construction industries. She joined the Conditioned Air team in 2002.

Melanie Desrosiers, Human Resource Manager

Melanie has an extensive background in finance and human resources with 6 years experience at international company, Parker Hannifin. Having represented over 200 team members as their Human Resources Specialist, she comes to us with a breadth of knowledge and experience in Benefits, Compensation, Staffing and Employee Relations.  As a Florida native, Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Public Relations from Florida Gulf Coast University, and also holds her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute . We are proud to add Melanie to our team of dedicated personnel.

Josh Gifford, Warehouse Manager 

Josh was born and raised in Kensington, MD, just outside of Washington DC.  Prior to moving to Naples in 2012 he spent 19 years with Music & Arts center, a national retail business specializing in school band and orchestra rentals.  He worked his way up from a warehouse clerk, to retail store manager, and finally to district logistics manager.  In that role he managed their fleet of over 500 thousand rental instruments being distributed to 16 markets throughout the country.  He has managed up to 25 employees and promoted several to their first management positions.   He specializes in supply chain management, efficient organization, personnel development and inventory control and brings that knowledge with him to Conditioned Air.

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