Southeastern Home Services, a newly formed residential home services provider specializing in HVAC and plumbing replacement and maintenance services, announced it has purchased Tampa Bay, Florida-based Mario’s Air Conditioning & Heating in a deal backed by WhitneyWilder. The deal is the first of several acquisitions of Central Florida-based home services businesses that Southeastern Home Services plans to complete this year. 

“We're thrilled to welcome Mario's Air Conditioning & Heating to the Southeastern Home Services family of brands,” said Tom Birchard, CEO of Southeastern Home Services. “Mario's AC has been providing excellent service to homeowners and homebuilders across the greater Tampa area for 25 years. We are excited to partner with Mario’s AC President Mario Zoraja to grow this business and build upon the legacy he and his company have already established.”

Mario’s Air Conditioning & Heating, family-owned and led by Zoraja for more than 18 years, has served commercial and residential companies of the greater Tampa Bay area since its founding in 1997. The company provides the full range of air conditioning and heating needs including repair, installation, maintenance, duct cleaning, air quality testing, dehumidifying, UV lighting, preventive work and more.

For Zoraja, who will remain a partial owner and continue to lead and manage the operations of Mario’s AC under this new ownership structure, the decision to join Southeastern Home Services is part of the company’s strategy to continue growing and expanding while providing the high-quality service they’ve been known for across the region.

“We're really excited to join the Southeastern Home Services family,” said Zoraja. “Southeastern Home Services provides experience, expertise, support, and strategic relationships that will help take this business to the next level. We also believe our customers will see value in a network of companies that can provide for their HVAC, plumbing and electrical needs.”

Launched in early 2022, Southeastern Home Services is a group of best-in-class contractor brands that have been leaders in the home services industry for nearly 20 years. The group plans to provide service to more than 5,000 customers across multiple locations in the Greater Tampa Bay and Central Florida areas.  

Birchard, who joined Southeastern Home Services in March 2022, is leading the company in its aggressive acquisition strategy of home services providers. He brings more than 15 years of leadership and sales experience in the HVAC industry, most recently with Trane Technologies where he managed a team of 260 driving $100 million in revenue, and previously with Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King.