Our History
A Strong Foundation: 1963–2010
Founded in June 1963 by David E. Lasher, Delco Sales began as a small manufacturer’s representative firm built on integrity, service, and trusted partnerships. The company’s name, Delco, comes from the initials of its founder, D.E.L., a subtle reminder of the values and vision he set in motion.
Over the decades, Delco earned a reputation for reliability and professionalism across California, Nevada, and Hawaii, growing steadily alongside the industries and customers it served.
In 1983, Jon Adamek acquired the company and led Delco through a period of growth and development. In 1991, Jon partnered with Steve Klapp, and together they successfully guided Delco through the challenges and opportunities of the 1990s and early 2000s. During this time, Eric Conrad joined Delco in 1992, playing an integral role in inside sales and operations and contributing greatly to the company’s stability and success. Following Jon’s departure in 2005, Steve took on full leadership, continuing to strengthen Delco’s position in the market until 2010, when a new era of leadership began with Chris Nicosia and Larry Burchill.
A New Chapter of Leadership: 2010–Present
A significant new chapter began in 2010, when Chris Nicosia and Larry Burchill joined the company’s leadership team. The two were introduced by then-owner Steve Klapp, who recognized their complementary strengths and shared vision for Delco’s future.
Chris brought nearly 25 years of industry experience, having built her career at both the manufacturer’s representative and manufacturer levels — including roles at Benicek Sales, Zurn, and Sloan. Larry brought over 20 years of experience, with a background that spanned distribution and manufacturing through his work at Golden West Pipe, Delco, and Holdrite. Together, they saw the strength in Delco’s foundation and the opportunity to take the company to new heights.
Investing in Growth
Since that time, Delco has continued to invest back into the business through strategic partnerships, talent development, expanded facilities, and enhanced capabilities:
2012 – Relocated headquarters from Fullerton to Anaheim to support growth
2016 – Established a partnership with A. O. Smith, bringing new talent and product depth
2017 – Launched Delco Plumbing Service to provide post-installation product support
2017 – Reopened the Las Vegas office in a new location, expanding service in the region
2021 – Acquired SouthWest HydroTech, strengthening Delco’s service offerings
2022 – Promoted Kevin Hampton to Vice President of Sales and Isaiah Ortiz to Sales Manager of Plumbing & Heating; further expanded marketing and support teams
2023 – Expanded representation into Northern California
2024 – Opened a new office and warehouse in Hayward, CA, enhancing support for the Northern California region
Our Culture and Vision
Every location has grown under Chris and Larry’s leadership, with the team expanding from 24 to over 70 employees. Delco has consistently reinvested in its people, infrastructure, and service capabilities — all to better serve manufacturers and our customers.
Delco’s culture reflects its commitment to fostering careers and empowering employees at every level. The team is dedicated to staying creative, thinking outside the box, and driving innovation — all while staying true to the values that have defined Delco since day one.