Condee Man Greg Schneider Honored

Greg Schneider smiles and says the familiar Condee Man character that personifies Condee Cooling and Electric is not necessarily modeled after him. But if the Condee Man wasn’t modeled after Schneider, it probably should have been. Because for 50 years Schneider has become part of the fabric of the community through the people he has worked with during his career as the Condee Man.

The slogan says: “The Condee Man Can." Schneider lives that value. He often comes in when his customers are in dire straits. It’s a responsibility Schneider doesn’t take for granted.

“That's the thing that is pleasant about this job,” Schneider reflects, "it's rewarding to be able to assist people with their problems. And we're thankful that our customers entrust us with their problems. It's something that we strive to do well on a daily basis.”

Schneider is like the doctor who has to deliver serious news and does it with the bedside manner that gains customers’ trust. 

"He's very committed,” said Charlotte Condee Husted, daughter of company founder Don Condee. “Work comes first. He's always here. Always. I was Greg’s electrical secretary for years. He's very calm and slow to anger. Very thoughtful about everything that he says before he says it and he's very knowledgeable. I mean, I learned an awful lot about electrical from him. He's very happy to explain things to you. We used to have electrical meetings and he'd go through everything and tell you all kinds of stuff.”

Schneider harkens back to his youth, learning from Don Condee.

"Don Senior was the beginning,” Schneider said. "Two additional generations have come now. We would refer to his son as Don Junior, and Don Condee, we would call him Don Senior. He was certainly a mentor for me and someone who challenged me on a regular basis.”

There is a handsome painting of Don Senior that welcomes visitors to Condee Cooling and Electric. The company founder is certainly revered by the company’s 66 employees. Schneider commands that same kind of respect.

"Greg's just extremely dedicated,” said office manager Melissa Sarantos. "He knows everything about the condos. I mean, he's just so invested and gives his all to everything.”

"Greg is always the guy that is there for everyone," said Jamie Bowden, Condee’s HR and Assets manager. “He is willing to help everyone with anything they need. Not only with Condee, but when you look at what he does with the community as well. Christmas Island Style is a prime example of that. It always stands out to me. Greg always tells me that he measures Christmas Island Style by the number of smiles on faces that he sees out there when the parade's going by. That line has always stood out to me.”

“It’s from start to finish,” said Sarantos. "He doesn't just show up to, you know, turn it on. It's every single part of it. And he just truly loves Marco.”

“It's not just 50 years with Condee,” Bowden said, "and growing Condee to what it is today. It's the community. It's Marco Island. Greg has been instrumental in a lot of what Marco has become today. There are not many people that can say they've single-handedly touched everything on this island to make it what it is today. Greg has done that.”

Schneider admits he’s looking toward the finish line. There are things he wants to do for himself and his wife.

"I'm looking forward to traveling in our motorhome,” he said. “Doing some additional things. If there were a regret about the company it's that we have hurricanes that make it difficult to take free time when we go through a hurricane season. But that's what I'm looking forward to. Making some free time."