Richard HughesRichard Hughes / Co-Owner

I started in the Air Conditioning business in 1996 when Apex-Aire, Inc. hired me. I started answering the phones and filing. After a couple of years I then moved on to Account Payable and Accounts Receivables. From there I began scheduling, General Ledger and eventually bidding in 2003. I proved myself to my boss and worked my way to Office Manager. In April of 2014 Apex-Aire, Inc. went out of business due to the owner’s age of 89. He did not want to sell the company so he gave me the customer list and I still lease the office in which I have always worked. Also, I kept the same phone number and hit the ground running with my new company Booker Mechanical, LLC and business partner James Booker in April 2015.

CJ BookerJames M. Booker / Co-Owner

James Booker started in the Air Conditioning field at the age of 16 while working for his dad. He then graduated from ITI Technical College in 2004 where he earned his degree in Air Conditioning and Heating. Mr. Booker joined the Apex-Aire, Inc. team in 2003 where he worked till the close of Apex in April of 2014. James and I worked together at Apex for more than 9 years. James Booker and I have obtained our Contractors License, Occupational License along with all the necessary permits, licenses and insurances to do Business in the Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes.

We both feel this first year in business is to establish our new company with our existing customers from Apex-Aire.  The Second year and beyond will be to grow and offer more of what new customers want such as financing, new products and services, along with providing the same excellent service existing customers have known.  Our combined experience over the past 20 years have helped us to be prepared for the upcoming challenges and rewards a business has to offer and we see a bright and profitable future at Booker Mechanical.