Solar Refrigeration & Appliance Service is proud to announce that our CEO and co-founder, Corrine Caruso, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Dean Landers Visionary Award by the United Appliance Servicers Association (UASA).
This milestone honors Corrine as the first-ever recipient of the award.
A New Award Honoring Bold Leadership
The Dean Landers Visionary Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, transformative ideas, and lasting impact help shape the future of the appliance service profession. The award is named in honor of Dean Landers, an industry pioneer known for innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Corrine’s career brings these values to life through visionary leadership, practical innovation, and lasting industry impact. The award was presented by Renee Galioto of Island Appliance Repair at the ASTI Awards Banquet in Kansas City on January 22, 2026.
Building Solar Refrigeration & Appliance Service Into a Gulf South Leader
For decades, Solar Refrigeation & Appliance Service has been trusted for dependable service, strong technical standards, and a customer-first approach.
Under Corrine’s leadership, Solar grew from a small company of one technician handling just four service calls per day into the largest appliance service company in the Gulf South.
Today, Solar supports 40 team members, including 25 technicians, and coordinates more than 300 dispatches daily.
A New Orleans native, Corrine continues to live and lead in the city she calls home, guiding Solar with integrity, high standards, and a solutions-first mindset that has defined the company for decades.
Corrine’s History of Industry Leadership
Corrine’s impact reaches far beyond her company. She is widely respected across the appliance service industry not only for her leadership and willingness to step into demanding roles, but also for opening doors for women in positions where they were rarely represented.
Her professional leadership roles include:
- UASA President (2020–2022) — first woman to serve as President
- UASA Board Member (2015–2023)
- UASA Scholarship Committee Chair
- UASA Peer Group Leader
- Whirlpool Service Council — first woman to serve on the council
- New Orleans Appliance & Electronics Association President (2005–2010) — first woman to serve as President
- New Orleans Appliance & Electronics Association Board Member
Corrine is recognized in the industry for innovations that have helped elevate how appliance service businesses operate.
Her industry-shaping contributions include:
- Establishing an upfront service charge, supporting healthier and more sustainable operations
- Helping lead the residential industry’s expansion into commercial appliance repair
- Bringing residential-level service standards into commercial environments, improving consistency
- Establishing processes that improve profitability, cash flow, and operational efficiency for service organizations
Corrine also continues to support long-term industry education and development through UASA, strengthening training and opportunities for the next generation of service professionals.
A Legacy Built to Last
Throughout her career, Corrine has improved business operations and supported the team members who serve customers every day. As Solar has grown, she has continued to push for smarter systems, stronger structure, and purposeful adoption of new technology.
Her vision has been strengthened by the steady support of her husband, Tony Caruso, Solar co-founder, whose day-to-day commitment helped turn new ideas into lasting systems as the company evolved.
Today, that leadership continues into the next generation. With their son, Tony, growing into his leadership role, Solar continues to build on its family foundation for the next generation.
Being named the recipient of the 2026 Dean Landers Visionary Award is a meaningful recognition of Corrine’s hard work and dedication in building Solar into an industry leader and advancing the appliance service profession nationwide. The Solar family is proud to celebrate this milestone and to honor Corrine’s leadership that continues to shape our company and the industry for years to come.
