Our 2025 CEOs to Watch are forward-thinking leaders transforming family businesses across generations and industries. Some are building values-driven enterprises from the ground up, others are modernizing multigenerational companies. Some are family members, others are not. But they’re all united by a shared commitment to creating inclusive, purpose-driven cultures that blend innovation and tradition.
They also have another trait in common: the ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution, ensuring their companies remain competitive while staying grounded in the family’s values.
Scott Weaver
APR Supply Co. | CEO | Third Generation
As CEO of APR Supply Co., Scott Weaver has spent nearly three decades leading the fourth-generation, family-owned HVAC and plumbing distribution company through transformative growth.
Weaver, “exemplifies exceptional family business leadership through his rare combination of business acumen, people-first mentality, and forward-thinking governance,” says his daughter, Jenna Hoertz, who serves as APR’s director of strategic initiatives & project management. “He doesn’t just talk about family values; he embodies them by treating team members like extended family while still driving excellence and maintaining high standards,” Hoertz says.
Since becoming CEO in 1996, Weaver has led APR through 19 successful acquisitions, reshaped its go-to-market strategy and executed a bold long-term vision for sustainable growth. The company has doubled in size six times over the past 30 years, a trajectory driven by strategic execution and strong cultural alignment. Under his leadership, APR has undergone salesforce reorganization, digital transformation and operational streamlining — all while fostering a people-first culture rooted in trust, service and innovation.
In an industry traditionally slow to change, Weaver has positioned APR as a technology-forward leader. He launched one of the earliest Epicor eCommerce platforms in 1993 and has since overseen the creation of a customer-facing mobile app, implementation of advanced BI tools, and a complete digital modernization of APR’s customer experience. Most notably, APR became the first HVAC and plumbing distributor in the U.S. to implement robotics in its distribution center picking over 50% of all line items — a major leap forward in speed, accuracy and operational efficiency.
“One of my proudest contributions is the culture we’ve built, a culture of ownership, innovation, and heart,” Weaver says. “I believe in creating an environment where people are empowered to lead at every level. That’s what fuels our growth and keeps us agile. We strive every day to create enthusiastic customers. That mission is what drives everything from how we stock our shelves to how we show up for our teams.
“Being part of a family business means every decision echoes into the future. It’s not just about this quarter or this year, it’s about setting the stage for the next generation. That mindset changes how you lead, and it keeps you grounded in values that matter.”