H.B. MCCLURE

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Founder: Herbert Bassett mcclure Ceo: Bob Whalen revenue: $80 million

employees: 500 Bob Whalen walked away from a potential acquisition because the buyer paid technicians in the field commissions for making extra sales. He didn’t want his technicians selling customers stuff they didn’t need. in 2010, he persuaded a reluctant board to approve a sale to employees at a valuation of $4.6 million. “i wanted to instill an ownership mentality,” he says. Revenue has more than tripled.