# Albert Nahmad

> Albert H. Nahmad is the Miami-based chairman and CEO of Watsco, which he has led since 1972. He directed its shift from manufacturing to HVAC distribution, building through acquisitions, local operating autonomy, supplier partnerships and employee ownership. His son A.J. is Watsco’s president and named CEO successor; Nahmad also supports preservation of Panama Canal history.

- **Role:** Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Watsco, Inc.
- **Organizations:** Watsco, Inc., W.R. Grace & Co., Arthur Young & Co., Panama Canal Commission, Panama Canal Authority International Advisory Board
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico, M.S., Industrial Administration, Purdue University
- **Known for:** Led Watsco for more than five decades beginning in 1972., Directed Watsco’s shift into HVAC distribution beginning in 1989., Watsco’s market capitalization grew from $22 million in 1989 to $13.7 billion at year-end 2025, according to its 2026 proxy.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1972** — Worked as a management consultant at Arthur Young & Co. and a group vice president at W.R. Grace & Co. in New York.
- **1972** — Became chairman and CEO of Watsco; current corporate filings date his leadership to this year.
- **1988** — Decided to shift Watsco’s strategic focus from manufacturing to HVAC/R distribution.
- **1989** — Watsco began its distribution strategy.
- **1994** — Watsco listed on the NYSE on June 16; Nahmad was photographed with his young son A.J.
- **1994-1999** — Served on the Panama Canal Commission board following presidential appointment and Senate confirmation, as documented by the Panama Canal Society.
- **1999** — Appointed to the Panama Canal Authority International Advisory Board at year end.
- **2009** — Watsco launched the Carrier Enterprise joint venture with Carrier.
- **2016** — Retained chairman and CEO roles as son A.J. became president and assumed additional day-to-day responsibilities.
- **2017** — Albert H. Nahmad Panama Canal Gallery opened at the University of Florida, dedicated to his Balboa High School classmates.
- **2026** — Watsco completed acquisitions of Jackson Supply in June and The Granite Group in October.

## Achievements

- Led Watsco for more than five decades beginning in 1972.
- Directed Watsco’s shift into HVAC distribution beginning in 1989.
- Watsco’s market capitalization grew from $22 million in 1989 to $13.7 billion at year-end 2025, according to its 2026 proxy.
- Helped develop an acquisition approach retaining local business leadership and identity.
- Established the Panama Canal Gallery Exhibit Fund at the University of Florida.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 12, Watsco completed its acquisition of The Granite Group, a plumbing and HVAC distributor with approximately $500 million in sales and 82 locations.
- **2026-07** — Watsco reported second-quarter results on July 29; Nahmad described improving market stability after refrigerant-related product transitions. Trailing twelve month e-commerce sales reached $2.7 billion.
- **2026-06** — Watsco completed its acquisition of Jackson Supply, adding 25 locations; Jackson Supply recorded $230 million in sales in 2025.

## Links

- Website: https://www.watsco.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-nahmad-64660328/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/albert-nahmad
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21