I am a father, small business owner, and lifelong Capital Region resident. I’m running for New York State Senate District 46 and will bring my blue collar background and belief in personal responsibility, hard work, and accountability to the State Senate. I am the founder of Family Danz Heating and Air Conditioning, residing on a small farm in Altamont, New York with my wife, Diane. I have a blended family of eight children and eighteen grandchildren.

 

I was born in Herkimer, NY, and raised by a single mother.  We lived in Albany’s South End until I was six years old where I attended grade school at the Lady of Help Christian School. My family then moved to West Albany and I attended South Colonie schools until my graduation.

 

While still in high school, I worked the second shift at the General Electric plant in Schenectady, NY as a machinist’s apprentice. Upon completing my training, I worked overnight on the third shift at the plant while attending high school during the day. Like many of his classmates, I joined the military during the Vietnam War. At 18, I enlisted in the United States Navy reserves and attended basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station.

 

In the early 1970’s, it was time to begin my career in the heating and air conditioning business, a move that would set me on a course towards becoming a leader in the industry. I learned the business while working at a company called Sid Harvey’s, which at the time was the largest heating and air conditioning supply house in the country. I worked my way up in the business, eventually becoming the youngest store manager in the company’s history.

 

In 1976, I went into business for myself, starting Ted Danz Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Through hard work and dedication, my business grew over the years and I was eventually joined by my three sons – Ted, Todd and Tim - who own and operate the business now. Today, Family Danz employs more than 160 people and is one of the largest such firms in Upstate New York.