Kent Penning is a 34-year veteran of the HVAC industry and owner of Cold Craft, Inc., a Diamond Certified company since 2002. He can be reached at (408) 341-9915 or by email.
Kent Penning: Young at Heart
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
CAMPBELL – While many Bay Area residents attest to the enhanced quality of life provided by the indigenous beauty and cultural diversity, few claim that it actually perpetuates their youth. According to Kent Penning, however, living in the Bay Area can have just such a revitalizing effect, if you let it. “After age 40, I still ride my motorcycle all over, and I recently earned my black belt in Taekwondo,” he says. “I guess living here makes you feel young!”
Kent may be young at heart, but he’s all business when it comes to his professional career. When he established Cold Craft, Inc. in 1991, he knew his success would depend on his ability to stay ahead of the game in terms of industry innovation. “I was an HVAC student and a technician before I decided to take the plunge and start my own firm,” he retells. “I committed myself to staying current with changes in the industry, because even at that time I saw other business owners falling behind.” After more than 20 years, Kent continues to stay on the cutting edge of his industry by teaching HVAC and refrigeration classes at San Jose City College and being an active member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization. “I’ve been a member of EO for the past 12 years,” he says. “One of the things I enjoy most is taking the business concepts I learn there and applying them to Cold Craft.”
Originally from Minnesota, Kent moved to the Bay Area with his family when he was six years old. His own children have now reached adulthood, and he describes the Penning clan as a melting pot of interests and activities. “We all have different interests, from my wife’s crafts to my two sons’ athletic activities to my motorcycle riding and love of fine wines.” The addition of his first grandson two years ago only served to enhance the family’s vitality. “His middle name is literally Danger, and even though he’s only two, he’s already living up to it,” he laughs. “Talk about keeping me young—he has me running!”
Kent’s business, hobbies and family keep his schedule well-occupied, so when he’s asked what he would do if he could retire tomorrow, his response isn’t surprising. “I’d have a day where I’d do absolutely nothing,” he says. “Just one day to recharge my batteries before I get back to being busy again!”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Oakland Raiders. I think it’s interesting how the team still has a bad boy reputation but they seem more laid back than ever—especially the fans, who are actually more mature than a lot of teams’ fans.
Q: If someone was making a movie about your life, what actor would play you?
A: I’d love to say Robert De Niro or Steve McQueen, but I think a more realistic choice would be Tim Allen, in a role similar to the one he played in “Wild Hogs.”
Q: What’s the most memorable thing a customer has ever said to you?
A: One customer called and said he had skunks looking at him from inside his air conditioning vent.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: The 4th of July.
Q: What country would you most like to visit and why?
A: Spain, because a number of people have told me it’s just as beautiful as California.
Q: If you could have a conversation with anyone living or dead, who would it be?
A: Smokey Yunick. He was a famous NASCAR racer—a self-educated good ol’ boy from the South whom all the big shot engineers from Detroit would seek out and hire to solve their technical problems.
