As president and co-owner of Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing & Heating, Andrea Russo carries on a 70-year family tradition. In 1988, after graduating from Russell Sage College, Andrea became the first female to join the management team of the family business since 1939.  Becoming president in 2004, her role in the company now spans every aspect of operations, of which her most rewarding are customer and community relations. Andrea attributes much of her Company’s success to the team of 60 employees who serve a loyal list of customers, many of which are second-or third-generation.


A 40 Under 40 recipient in 2003 and member of the Women’s Presidents   Organization, Andrea has helped Crisafulli Bros. earn a spot in the Top 10 Mechanical Contractors list for five of the past seven years.  In both 2007 and 2008 Crisafulli Bros. was voted Best Plumbing Company in the Times Union Readers Poll and in 2006, was voted Best Plumbing Company in the Capital District by readers of Capital Region Living Magazine.


Is a third-generation owner under a lot of family pressure? “Sure there is, says Andrea.  I remind myself with every tough business decision I make. I have a responsibility to my grandfather who began the business, to the people we employ and their families. It keeps me diligent.”  The most important lesson we have learned is that our organization is successful because of the people we employ.  Taking care of your staff is paramount if you want your staff to take care of the customer.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding to operate a business which has served the community for almost 70 years,” she says [continues], “and we take pride in our community involvement.  Andrea is dedicated to the communities her company serves, whether raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or helping families in need through offering plumbing services to Ronald McDonald House or the recent Extreme Makeover Home Edition.


Andrea manages to juggle her work and community roles to allow for quality family time.  “I love spending time outdoors and traveling with my children, reading, and shopping.” Her favorite place? Schroon Lake. Her favorite day of the week?  She actually admits that Mondays are her favorite day of the week!