When I first stepped into the world of HVAC, I didn’t know a TXV from a thermostat. But I paid attention. I watched what mattered. I listened to the team. And somewhere along the way, I stopped just learning the business, and I started falling in love with it.
Not just the work itself, but the people who do it.
There’s a grit to this industry that I respect deeply. What I found was an industry full of potential, powered by incredibly skilled people. I also saw the gaps: where contractors over the years had built a reputation for being tough to work for. Disorganized. Slow to respond. Sometimes disrespectful or untrustworthy. And too often, technicians aren’t shown how essential their work really is, so the pride that should come with it never fully takes root. That never sat right with me.
So, I made it my mission to build a different kind of company, one where techs are respected, service is responsive, and people actually want to show up, do great work, and have fun doing it. I tell our team all the time: if you see another contractor doing something better than us, I want to know. We are here to raise the bar.
Take Pride in Your Team
From how we train and equip our people to how we communicate with customers to how quickly we stand behind our work, every detail matters. Show people their work matters, back them up when it counts, and pride shows up in every service call.
When we build that kind of company, one that sets a new standard, we don’t just serve our customers better. We start attracting the next generation of talent.
Most people think representation is just about faces on posters or photos on a website, but it’s so much more than that. Representation is about creating a culture where people feel seen, respected and excited to build a career.
Invest in Your People
When someone walks through our doors and sees leaders who lead with integrity, listen with intention and invest in their people, it reshapes what they believe is possible. It makes the trades attractive. It builds trust. It creates momentum.
That’s how we solve the labor shortage. Not just by recruiting, but by raising the bar.
By showing people what this industry can be. And then backing it up every single day.
Representation isn’t just about who’s in the room. It’s also about how we show up and what kind of environment we’re building for those who come next.
As contractors, we have the power to attract and retain talent by creating cultures where people are respected for their craftsmanship. It’s not just about how many jobs they close, but the quality and intention behind their work. HVACR is essential work. It deserves to be treated that way.
Respect Your Workers’ Skills
Think about how surgeons are revered for their skill. Their work is critical, yes, but it’s also respected. HVACR professionals keep people safe, healthy and stable in extreme climates. They protect food supply chains, support medical facilities and keep families comfortable in their homes.
It’s time we treat tradespeople with that same level of dignity and pride if we want to build stronger talent pipelines and retain our current employees.
Contractors and industry leaders can lead this change. We can create environments where tradespeople are valued for the expertise they bring, the solutions they deliver and the lives they impact every day.
That’s what representation in the trades looks like, too.
Haley Yancey is the vice president of finance and administration for Wright Brothers, Inc., a commercial HVAC and refrigeration company in Griffin, Georgia, where she works to drive growth and innovation. Yancey believes that the key to a company’s success comes from creating an exceptional workplace and fostering an environment that values growth, collaboration and respect. As a member of Women in HVACR, Yancey actively uses her leadership role at Wright Brothers to inspire more young women to enter the skilled trades industry.
