Family Owned Since 1933
Our founders, Jim and Connie Rube, purchased the business known as Johnson Refrigeration in 1967, after working with Harry Johnson for several years. Originally located on Kansas Ave., Jim relocated to 1015 McKinley St., and in 1980, when the business outgrew the building, they built a new shop at 5251 9th St., where they are still located today.
In 1998 when Jim contemplated retirement, he urged his daughter and son-in-law to become his business partners and help keep the family business a success.
Rube's, Inc., has a longstanding reputation in the industry, and covers a 60-mile radius surrounding Great Bend, Kansas to install and service air conditioners, furnaces, ice machines, refrigeration units, air purifiers, and laundry scrubber machines.
For more than two decades, Rube's, Inc. has earned the Trane Distinguished Dealer Award, recognizing the company's continued growth, dedication to Trane, and community involvement.
Today, Rube's, Inc., operates with four full-time employees and two part-time employees.
Brian Pedigo
Brian began working for his father-in-law, Jim Rube, in 1996 as a Mechanical Apprentice. Brian joined the family owned business, as a partner, in the late 90’s. Working alongside Jim, he learned all the aspects of running an independently owned business. By 2005, Brian had obtained his Mechanical Master Certification. Having the required certifications made the decision to invest in the family business quite easy. He and his wife, Carie, purchased the remaining shares of the business, keeping the family owned business alive for another generation. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, riding ATVs, and watching NASCAR.
Carie Pedigo
Having grown up at Rube’s, Inc., Carie has had various jobs throughout the company. While growing up, she spent many hours cleaning the shop, maintaining the property and helping in the office. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Kansas State University, she returned home, handling the marketing and advertising for Rube’s, Inc. Carie began working in the office when her mother, Connie Rube, retired in 1999. As the Pedigo family grew, Jim and Connie encouraged them to become shareholders of the business.
Justin Engleman
After previously serving as office manager, Justin returned to Rube's in 2018 to once again take over those duties. He is involved in Golden Belt Community Concert Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Barton County Historical Society and plays trumpet in the Great Bend Municipal Band and Prairie Winds Concert and Jazz Bands at Barton County Community College. He can be heard twice a month on KVGB Radio doing the "Pages in Time" radio show about Barton County history.
Lucas Burton
Joining the Rube’s, Inc., team, as a helper, in 2011, Lucas quickly picked up the necessary skills to become a valuable HVAC service technician. Currently holding a Mechanical Apprenticeship certification, Lucas specializes in installation of all brands of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. During his free time, Lucas enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Dokkyn Heenan
Dokkyn joined Rube's in 2019.
Evan Daubert
Evan joined Rube's in 2022.