In 1914, brothers Albert O. and Harry Reed opened
a small plumbing business. In 1955, Harry’s sons,
Jim and Don Reed, took over management of the
firm, which was basically a plumbing company,
although it soon became one of the early
pioneers in the infant air conditioning industry.
In 1982, son-in-law Ed Andrade took the reins as
President and held that position until 1994, when
his son, Steve, took over. Steve remains as CEO &
Chairman at A.O. Reed & Co. with David Clarkin as
the President since 2014.
From the very start, A.O. Reed has passed knowledge
from one generation to the next. Our leadership and
skilled craftsman share their dedication and deep
commitment to the long-term future of A.O. Reed,
our employees, our loyal clients, and our community.
1914 Albert O. and Harry Reed open A.O. Reed. The first 20 years: Significant commercial plumbing projects include the Pantages Theatre, Pickwick Hotel, and El Cortez
1940s: One of five A.O. Reed plumbing stores was located at 8th & G in downtown San Diego
1950s: Mercy Hospital completed by A.O. Reed and our billboard appears off the freeway
1955: Jim and Don Reed take the management reins
1974: Ribbon cutting for A.O. Reed corporate
1980s: Significant commercial plumbing & HVAC projects include Balboa Navy Hospital & Cogen, Seaworld Polar Bear and Penguin Encounter, Fox Plaza (studio property), American Plaza, First Interstate Plaza, and Imperial Bank Tower
1990s: Significant projects include One America Plaza, Del Mar Racetrack Grandstand, Escondido Performing Arts, Emerald Plaza, and Plaza at Figueroa II
2000s: Significant projects include Mercy Hospital-central plant, Century City Towers-central plant, Sharp Memorial, Rady Children’s Hospital, Disneyland’s Cars Land and California Adventure, Smart Corner, Park Laurel, Pendleton Hospital, and Pacific Beacon
2007: Contractor of the Year, Contracting Business and Best Contractor to Work For, The Contractor News
2009: A.O. Reed’s corporate offices get a green retrofit and we earn the EPA’s Energy Star designation
2010: A.O. Reed wins the SDG&E Energy Showcase Award
2012: A.O. Reed wins the Gold Nugget Award
2013: A.O. Reed wins the SDG&E Energy Showcase Award again
2014: A.O. Reed completes the Naval Hospital at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and is presented with two awards from the General Contractors of America: Best New Building Project and the Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering award (Our mechanical team provided a design/build delivery method for the commercial HVAC and plumbing systems that was complete 6 months ahead of schedule and under the Navy’s original budget.)
