HVAC professionals from across the U.S. honored with national recognition and $1,000 tool kit Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, today announced the winners of its annual HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award program. The 2024 HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award recognizes outstanding Read more
Industry News
HVAC professionals from across the U.S. honored with national recognition and $1,000 tool kit
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, today announced the winners of its annual HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award program. The 2024 HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award recognizes outstanding HVAC professionals for their dedication to the industry, commitment to safety and community involvement.
The 2024 program recognized five top HVAC contractors and technicians from across the U.S.:
- Scott Mapes, Owner, First Choice Comfort LLC/Hoppy Air, Lafayette, Indiana
- Robert Deeds, Journeyman Sheetmetal Worker, Sheetmetal Workers Local #7, Kalkaska, Michigan
- Brent Evans, Owner, Evans Heating & A/C, Princeton, NC
- Tom Langfeldt, Owner and Sole Proprietor, Peninsula Heating and Air LLC, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Brandon McMullin, Service/Retro Fit and Finish Manager, Air Design Heating and Cooling, Murray, Utah
“It is always an honor to recognize the 2024 HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year winners for their commitment to their craft and the communities they support,” said Rich Benninghoff, president and CEO of Malco Tools. “These individuals represent the finest in the HVAC industry, sharing their skills and making a meaningful impact through their work and service.”
As a strong advocate for careers in skilled trades, Malco donates significant quantities of tools and apparel annually to a variety of educational programs, competitions and events nationwide. These include high school and post-secondary technical programs, apprenticeship contests and SkillsUSA conferences. Malco also runs the “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program, which partners with education programs to celebrate top students and graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal and building construction fields.
For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.
Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements Read more
Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry
Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements as well as acknowledging their exciting new career choice.
The September 2024 HVAC & Energy Professional Program graduates included Anthony Morales (Pottsville, Schuylkill County), Christopher Falbo (Shippensburg, Cumberland County), Devon Spadt (Palmerton, Carbon County), Dominic Cruz (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Dywan Blanding (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Jaionne Miller (Lemoyne, Cumberland County), Josh Shore (Dover, York County), Juan Harris (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Man Singh Magar (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Marquan Whiting (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Michael Mooney (New Oxford, Adams County), Pupsa Kafle (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Tate Petrides (Aspers, Adams County), Walker Martin (East Earl, Lancaster County). Six of the fourteen graduates were $3,000 recipients of the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation.
The following students will be entering the workforce immediately upon graduation:
- Anthony Morales (accepted a position with Rick’s Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. prior to graduation)
- Devon Spadt (enrolled as an employee of RF Ohl while attending the program)
- Dominic Cruz (accepted a position with Home Climates prior to graduation)
- Dywan Blanding (accepted a position with HL Bowman prior to graduation)
- Juan Harris (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Michael Mooney (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Tate Petrides (accepted a position with Zimmerman Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning prior to graduation)
- Walker Martin (accepted a position with Kauffman Gas prior to graduation)
PPATEC, an arm of the PA Petroleum Association (PPA), offers leading hands-on technical training solutions for the HVAC and energy industry. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 450+ energy stakeholders. PPATEC is a postsecondary entry-level career training institution licensed by the State Board of Private Licensing Schools and is approved by the VA to accept GI Bill® benefits.
In 2022, PPATEC launched its HVAC & Energy Professional Program, a 10-week, hands-on curriculum tailored to provide the skills needed to secure a job in the HVAC and energy industry. Since then, graduates of the program have routinely enjoyed multiple employment offers, often graduating on a Friday and going into a new career the following Monday.
According to Ted Harris, PPATEC’s Executive Vice President, there is a state-wide shortage of more than 2,000 HVAC and energy technicians — jobs with an average annual salary well above $50,000. PPATEC created its entry-level training program to help PPA members fill that pressing need. “We’re glad to play a role in preparing these — and other — young men and women for family sustaining careers in an in-demand field,” says Harris.
Candidates have multiple opportunities for financial support. Veterans can use GI Bill® benefits to defray the cost of the program. PPATEC also routinely offers scholarships to candidates. In addition, PPA members have an opportunity to sponsor a candidate entering the program. To learn more about PPATEC’s program, visit https://ppatec.com/.
Collaboration allows industry professionals to leverage comprehensive technology and authoritative expert insights to drive profitability and achieve business goals XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions for commercial and residential field service companies, announces a new partnership with Powerhouse Consulting Group, an experienced team of software consultants in the skilled trades industry. Powerhouse Consulting Group Read more
Collaboration allows industry professionals to leverage comprehensive technology and authoritative expert insights to drive profitability and achieve business goals
XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions for commercial and residential field service companies, announces a new partnership with Powerhouse Consulting Group, an experienced team of software consultants in the skilled trades industry.
Powerhouse Consulting Group drives software education and scalable growth to help leading service contractors implement and take full advantage of field service management tools. XOi offers technicians, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and end customers a single authoritative technology solution for the entire lifecycle of equipment.
The partnership connects XOi’s comprehensive technology with Powerhouse Consulting Group’s expert training and insights, ensuring field service professionals are equipped with the vital resources they need for the jobsite.
“XOi is ecstatic to work with Powerhouse Consulting Group to provide tools and resources for the skilled trades community,” said XOi Director of Partnerships Amanda Harp. “Their team’s knowledge and devotion to each client are unmatched, and the clear path of success they lay out provides market differentiation and a roadmap for best-in-class software implementation and optimization. Powerhouse’s team consistently brings technology and people together to achieve common goals and reach new standards of excellence.”
By partnering with XOi, Powerhouse Consulting Group is broadening opportunities to provide a complete tech stack in the field service industry. Through data consistency, clear communication, field enablement connectivity, and interoperability, technicians can deliver exceptional customer service in the field and contractors can achieve their business goals.
“Powerhouse Consulting Group has consistently recommended XOi’s technology to contractors to enhance their operational efficiency through technician-focused software solutions,” said Jenny Benbrook, founder and CEO of Powerhouse Consulting Group. “Our partnership with XOi solidifies our commitment to identifying, implementing, and consulting on advanced tools that significantly boost a contractor’s profitability.”
XOi provides field service contractors and their teams with the premier tool for managing and leveraging data from current jobs as well as historical projects, including powerful data collection, virtual support and mentoring, and real, actionable insights. For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.
In observance of National Energy Awareness Month this October, Watts has announced the launch of a six-week sustainability-inspired eLearning campaign titled Energize Your Knowledge. Running from October 1 through November 10, the campaign is designed to educate customers on environmentally conscious products and solutions that are specifically engineered to minimize environmental impact, enhance cost-efficiency, and Read more
In observance of National Energy Awareness Month this October, Watts has announced the launch of a six-week sustainability-inspired eLearning campaign titled Energize Your Knowledge. Running from October 1 through November 10, the campaign is designed to educate customers on environmentally conscious products and solutions that are specifically engineered to minimize environmental impact, enhance cost-efficiency, and help customers achieve their sustainability objectives.
The Energize Your Knowledge campaign features over 80 eLearning modules from the Watts family of brands, with eight courses eligible for Continuing Education credit.
Highlighted products in the campaign include anti-scale systems, which enhance water and electricity savings by eliminating unnecessary regeneration cycles, and balancing valves, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 35%. Customers will also learn about smart home management devices that adapt to user lifestyles and optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.
Other featured products include Bradley motion-detecting faucets, which conserve water and energy by only activating when necessary, the Dormont FloPro-MD, which maximizes energy efficiency during the startup and commissioning of gas appliances, and the IntelliStation 2, a precise water management solution that maintains outlet temperatures within ±2°F, offering significantly tighter control than traditional thermostatic mixing valves.
As part of this campaign, customers who complete 24 or more modules will receive a complimentary solar power bank.
To learn more, www.watts.com/EnergizeYourKnowledge.
A.O. Smith will celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Thursday, Sept. 19. The festivities will focus on A. O. Smith’s rich history, the employees, its innovative transformations and the promising future ahead. The event will also celebrate the opening of the site’s third plant and an additional building expansion, which will Read more
A.O. Smith will celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Thursday, Sept. 19. The festivities will focus on A. O. Smith’s rich history, the employees, its innovative transformations and the promising future ahead.
The event will also celebrate the opening of the site’s third plant and an additional building expansion, which will add hundreds of new jobs and produce more than 140,000 water heating units in the first year.
The Sept. 19 celebration will include food, festivities and a ribbon cutting ceremony with employees, elected officials and other key stakeholders. The event will include Claudia Escudero from the Mexican Consulate; Cristina Touché, president of Economic Development of Ciudad Juárez; Cruz Pérez Cuellar, mayor of Ciudad Juárez, and his private secretary, Ignacio Carmona Campirano; along with Isela Molina Alcay, president, and Mónica Leticia Luévano García, director, with Canacintra, the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry.
The program will feature Chairman and CEO Kevin Wheeler; Stephen O’Brien, president and general manager of North America Water Heating; Samuel Carver, senior vice president of global operations; Keith Auville, vice president of North America manufacturing; and Eduardo Gonzalez, Ciudad Juárez operations director. More than 1,000 employees are also expected to attend.
The company has had a presence in Mexico since 1984, beginning with electric motor assembly operations in Ciudad Juárez and Ciudad Acuna. In 1986, the company began manufacturing water heaters, and in 1995, the company withdrew from the automotive industry to focus on water heaters.