River City Six – Gunnar Guenette

Meet Gunnar Guenette, marketing manager for Getzschman Heating.

Tell us a little about your business.

Getzschman Heating is a 60-year-old family-owned business that started in Fremont. Three of the Getzschman brothers are still running daily operations and have long standing relationships with many of our customers. As a company with technicians you can trust with your keys, Getzschman Heating provides heating and cooling solutions to both our commercial and residential customers in the Greater Omaha area, including Fremont and Blair.

How did you get started in the business?

I began working with Getzschman as a marketing vender in 2006. I worked with them for several years and then became the internal marketing manager in 2015.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Getting our brand to stand out. Omaha is a very competitive HVAC market with many providers spending hundreds of thousands in local ad dollars.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

Consistently growing market share without growing the marketing budget.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married to my wife Karen for 10 years. Combined, we have four adult children and three dogs.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

After selling radio and TV for many years, I joined a small advertising agency and learned how to apply my creative skills to many different industry verticals.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

Go for a ride on my motorcycle.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

I am a working musician playing over 140 shows a year.

Who inspires you?

My children inspire me every day to remember to be open to experience the world.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t believe your own hype.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?

Authentic.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Speak to animals.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?

Singing.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?

Chef.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?

Nebraska Dachshund Rescue. We love wiener dogs.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?

I will always love Johnathan Livingston Seagal by Richard Bach.

What is your favorite movie?

Elf.

What is your favorite TV show?

Shameless.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?

Cat Stevens.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Phone: (402) 554-1110; Email: gunnarg@getzschman.com; Website: www.getzschman.com.