Our Story

Founded in 1987, San Diego Refrigeration has spent over three decades building a reputation for expert service, personal relationships, and unwavering reliability.

It all began with Harry Anderson, a hardworking Midwesterner who moved to San Diego at age 20 with just $40 and a passion for working with his hands. Guided by the stability of the refrigeration trade, Harry put himself through HVAC school, worked nights at a climate control R&D facility, and launched his career from the ground up.

After gaining experience at respected companies like Sunn Aire, Hilton Hotels, and Carl’s Jr., Harry began doing side work in Pacific Beach. A bold challenge from the president of the local restaurant association turned into the break he needed: service one restaurant flawlessly for a month, and earn the business of 30 more. Harry delivered, and Reliable & Dependable (RAD) Refrigeration was born.

In 1991, Harry built on his success by acquiring San Diego Refrigeration (SDR), merging the two companies. Over the next three decades, SDR expanded steadily, adding technicians, commercial space, and a long list of loyal clients. In 2022, the business officially became San Diego Refrigeration, Inc.

The company’s success has always been about more than just equipment—it’s about people. Harry’s wife, Gina, originally hired for sales, became his business partner and helped lead SDR for more than 20 years. All six of their children worked in the company, and their son-in-law, Kyle Fletcher, now serves as service manager.

One of our most technically demanding projects—a large-scale tilapia processing plant in Belize—demonstrated the depth of our expertise, but our core focus has always been to deliver tailored solutions for commercial clients across San Diego County.

In September 2024, Harry and Gina decided to retire and sold SDR to Paradigm Mechanical Corporation, led by Melinda DiCharry. With a shared dedication to quality and service, the merger ensures that San Diego Refrigeration will continue to grow while staying true to its values.

“My wish is to see SDR/Paradigm trucks on the road 10 years from now. When I do, I’ll have teary eyes knowing I was once part of that legacy.” —Harry Anderson