HOLMES BEACH – LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrated its 40th anniversary on Aug. 1.
Speaking by phone the following day from her summer home in Jasper, Georgia, semi-retired company president Karen LaPensee said, “I’m so proud that this business has been a true part of the Island community for the last 40 years. The employees stayed with us long term and they helped us build this business into what it is. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Karen’s husband, Mike LaPensee, founded LaPensee Plumbing in 1985.
“Mike had been a plumber for many years. He hurt his back and as his injury got chronically worse he got to the point where he didn’t want to work for other people. He really wanted to start his own business,” Karen said. “I was pregnant with Shawn and about six months after she was born I joined him in the business. He had this cute little blue Datsun truck that was just the right size for him and the products he used. Our hope was to have a good family business that could support us and allow Mike to have a successful career. I was working in nursing and the business allowed me to stay home and raise the children.”
The couple operated their upstart plumbing company from their Anna Maria home for 2½ years before moving into the Holmes Beach Business Center, where they stayed for about eight years. Then then moved across the street to a space in the S&S Plaza now occupied by AMI Health & Fitness.
In 2008, LaPensee Plumbing moved to its current company headquarters and product showroom at 401 Manatee Ave. in Holmes Beach. The company began offering swimming pool remodeling, resurfacing, repair and maintenance services in 2008; and for a time, offered pool construction services. LaPensee Plumbing and Pools added air conditioning services and repairs in 2015 and they also offer water heater sales and installations.
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air services Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, all of Manatee County and northern Sarasota County and also serves as a plumbing subcontractor for other custom home builders.
After Mike retired in 2009, Karen and their son, Greg LaPensee, ran the company until Greg passed away in 2021 due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. Mike then passed away in 2024.
Shawn Shields and General Manager/Vice-President Chad Schweitzer now oversee the company’s daily operations, with Todd McCollum guiding the air conditioning department and Karen still weighing in on high-level decisions as needed.
Regarding the milestone anniversary, Karen said, “The customers have made us what we are. We have some truly loyal business and residential clients that have been very supportive. It makes me proud that we have good friends that are also our clients. Supporting the community has also always been extremely important to us and the community center (The Center of Anna Maria Island) has always been a big focus for us.”
The company’s support of The Center includes hosting the annual fundraising Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament that will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, and again benefit The Center – with Karen in attendance.
Next generation
As a small token of appreciation, the LaPensee employees were treated to lunch catered by Mission BBQ on Friday. While sitting in her office before lunch was served, Shields discussed the family business.
Serving as the company secretary, Shields assumed many of the duties previously handled by her mom, including employee payroll and benefits, property management and more. She first worked in the family business from 2008 through 2011 and then got married and moved to the Caribbean for a few years. She returned to the area and the family business in 2015 and later this year she’ll celebrate her own 40th birthday.
“The business and I are the same age. It’s a big year for both of us,” she said.
Regarding the changes that occurred in recent years, Shields said, “Greg’s passing was a shock and that took some readjustment. My dad was already retired and Greg and my mom were running the business. We had to get used to some new normals without Greg being here. Chad’s been with us for 18 years. He was Greg’s right hand and he oversaw the plumbing division, so it was a natural choice to move Chad into the role of general manager. He handles all the day-to-day operations regarding the personnel, issues in the field and issues with customers. He also holds our pool license and our plumbing license – and plumbing is still our bread and butter.”
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air currently has 53 employees and Shields said they’d be fully staffed with 60.
“We couldn’t do it without our employees. They are our backbone. Without good employees, you won’t make it far,” she said.
While standing in the showroom area that features a wide variety of sinks and faucets, Schweitzer said, “I’m impressed with the overall growth of the business and by how much the company has done for the community during the past 40 years. I’ve been here for 18 years and when I started it was at the other location, next to Minnie’s (Beach Café). Call us for any and everything that has to do with plumbing, pools and air.”
“We’re thankful and grateful to this community for keeping us going for 40 years and here’s to another 40,” Shields said.
Learn more about LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air at www.lapenseeplumbing.com or call 941-778-5622.
Greg, Shawn, Karen and Mike LaPensee received the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year award in 2011. - Shawn Shields | Submitted
Shawn, Mike, Karen and Greg LaPensee in 2015. - Shawn Shields | Submitted
Tile and other coverings on display in the LaPensee showroom. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sinks and fixtures on display in the LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air showroom. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
