1ST CHOICE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

Maria Santos founded 1ST CHOICE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING in 1995 after years of working directly with residents during Chicago’s harsh winters. When the city’s power grid failed during a major ice storm, she organized a group of local volunteers to help families keep warm — installing temporary heaters and checking on those without power. This experience inspired her to build a business that not only fixes HVAC systems but also supports community recovery efforts in times of crisis.