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Ron Borisov: Building Comfort

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

Ron Borisov’s path to the HVAC industry began long before he launched a business of his own. Growing up, he was introduced to the trade by his uncle, who owned a refrigeration company and was widely respected in their community. “Everyone knew him,” he recalls. “If you needed refrigeration or air conditioning, you called him. That stuck with me—the idea of being independent and building something that people trust.”

That early exposure planted the seed, but Ron’s HVAC career officially took shape in another unexpected way. After moving to the United States, he found himself stepping into a growing role at a friend’s company, eventually rising from office manager to CEO. In 2018, he and a colleague decided to strike out on their own and established Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning. “We saw an opportunity to build something better,” he explains. “We wanted to take what we learned and improve on it.”

From the beginning, Ron has approached his business with a focus on continuous improvement and hands-on involvement. Rather than simply following industry norms, he studies what other companies offer and looks for ways to elevate the customer experience. “We’re always researching and learning,” he says. “If someone is doing something well, we want to understand it and do it even better.”

A key part of that philosophy is staying personally connected to clients. While larger companies often separate leadership from day-to-day interactions, Ron makes a point of being directly involved. “I personally talk to our customers,” he affirms. “Sometimes it’s as simple as stopping by, checking in and bringing a small gift. It’s about building real relationships, not just completing jobs.”

Ron says his favorite part of HVAC work is having the opportunity to improve people’s quality of life. “I love seeing how much a new system can change someone’s comfort. Some people have never experienced that level of comfort before, so their reaction is really rewarding.”

Ron is also passionate about fostering a positive culture within Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning. He takes pride in creating an environment where employees feel valued and connected, from shared breakfasts to casual team gatherings at the end of the week. “We want our team to enjoy being here,” he says. “When people are happy, it shows in their work.”

A resident of Brentwood, Ron says he appreciates the East Bay’s warm weather and agricultural surroundings. “I like going to farms on the weekends and buying fruits and vegetables. It’s a nice change of pace.”

Family is a central part of Ron’s life. He and his wife, Tanya, recently celebrated a major milestone as their son, Tim, left for Sacramento State, where he’s studying construction management. “Hopefully, he’ll continue the business one day,” he says.

Outside of work, Ron enjoys fishing, off-roading and metal detecting, although he admits his free time is limited these days. Still, his curiosity and drive remain constant—whether he’s exploring new technology, solving complex HVAC problems or imagining what the future might hold. As he puts it, “There’s always something new to learn.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: I’d love to travel the world, but at the same time, I don’t think I could fully stop working. I like staying active and involved.

Q: What’s your favorite type of movie?
A: Anything about time travel. I’m really interested in how things evolve and what’s possible.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future. I wouldn’t want to change the past, but I’d love to see what’s coming.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The San Jose Sharks.

Q: Have you had any memorable experiences with customers?
A: We recently got a review that was written with an entire “galaxy” theme. It was creative and unexpected, and it definitely made me smile.