Andy Cohen loves what he does.  ”I love the thrill of business,” the former Rhode Island resident turned Texan says with fervor.  Andy helms Thermal Edge, an industrial manufacturer and distributor.  Thermal Edge became a manufacturer when Andy decided to build and sell one of his distributed products.  ”We added 2-3 new features to differentiate, then set out to create customers for life by making it easy enough for  a twelve year old to do business with us.”

Andy says Thermal Edge plays to win – all the time.  ”The foot is always on the gas peddle. Even though we manufacture, we’re a sales organization not an engineering company.”  To keep this pace Andy empowers his inner circle to make decisions. “You’ve got to trust yourself and your people so you can delegate; and you have to communicate effectively.”   I asked how.  ”Lots and lots of phone,” he responded, “email is no substitute for talking.”

Although Andy’s company has accumulated numerous accolades, including membership in the 2011 Inc. 5000, his voice rises even higher when he describes the 50 stable, safe, well paying jobs he’s created.  Andy is proud to own a business in the US and run it in Texas; but generating jobs, even when it means investing significant personal capital in the business to do it, busts his buttons.

Now that’s a claim to fame.

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