The phrase “keeping it in the family” has a special meaning to John Hazen White Jr., executive chairman of the board and owner of Cranston-based Taco Comfort Solutions. He’s the third-generation, and perhaps most flamboyant, member of the White family to lead the maker of high-efficiency, heating, cooling and air-quality systems.
Taco celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. Much of its international growth into “a family of companies” has come under White’s leadership, including two stints as CEO.
Building a Stronger Heart: Inside South County Health’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab Program
A Heart-Healthy Start to the Year February is American Heart Month—a time to raise awareness…
Learn More
The family focus naturally extends to employees. White made a major investment in them, and Rhode Island, by opening the Taco Innovation and Development Center in 2012. The facility greatly expanded employee training opportunities that began years earlier.
In 2020 White appointed Cheryl Merchant to take over as CEO but he’s still involved in company strategy and strengthening its business relationships.
He also remains an influential voice in the business community. When Gov. Daniel J. McKee in 2021 argued for a plan to tax Paycheck Protection Program loans greater than $150,000, White was among the business leaders who fought the proposal.
“The people who took these loans, it doesn’t matter what size the loans were, they took them in good faith” expecting they would not be taxed, he said.
The lobbying helped persuade lawmakers to shift the tax to loans over $250,000.
And yes, the family legacy appears set to carry on beyond White, with two of his sons also involved in company leadership.
