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From Immigration to Industry
I came to the United States from Venezuela when I was 23 years old. At that time, HVAC wasn’t part of any plan. Like many immigrants, my focus was simple: work, learn, and build a future. The HVAC industry found me before I found it.
My first role was with a mechanical contractor in South Florida, and it wasn’t in the field. I worked in dispatch, scheduling technicians, and closing sales over the phone. It was an entry-level position, but it gave me something extremely valuable: exposure. I was suddenly surrounded by real HVAC problems, systems, codes, and customer expectations.
The turning point came from curiosity. Every morning at 7 a.m., the company held technical training sessions. I wasn’t required to attend, but I went anyway. I showed up early, had breakfast during the session, and listened. At first, much of it went over my head. Over time, it started to click. Refrigeration cycles, components, applications, what once sounded complex slowly became familiar.
That habit of learning before being asked shaped everything that came next.
Discovering HVAC as a Career, Not a Job
In the beginning, HVAC felt temporary. But the more I learned, the more I realized how different this industry was. HVAC isn’t trendy or fragile, it’s essential. It’s regulated, technical, and structured. And within it, there are countless paths: ductless, split systems, heat pumps, chillers; residential and commercial; new construction and retrofit.
What really pulled me in was the variety. No two projects are the same. Every application requires a different solution, a different balance between performance, cost, and design. HVAC rewards people who want to understand why, not just how.
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a job, it was a career.
Learning from the Ground Up
My next major step was Daikin Applied, where my technical growth accelerated quickly. I started in the warehouse, handling warranties, returns, and credits. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it taught me how systems fail, how customers react, and why details matter.
From there, I moved to the counter, then into quoting, and eventually into more strategic sales and project support roles. I worked across residential and commercial applications, supporting everything from parts and supplies to complex engineered solutions alongside consultants and engineers.
One of the most defining experiences was developing the water-source heat pump market in South Florida. I was given full ownership of that segment. no team, no roadmap, just responsibility. I had to build presentations, lead technical meetings in English, close deals, and manage projects end to end.
That experience taught me what ownership really means. Results follow preparation. Effort creates confidence. And structure turns ideas into growth.
Leadership Through Structure and Ethics
Today, I’m the National Sales Manager for ductless mini-splits at Gemaire (Watsco), covering territory from California to Florida. I work closely with teams across multiple states, aligning strategy, execution, and market development.
If I had to define my leadership style in one word, it would be structure.
My academic background is in accounting, and even though it seems far from HVAC, it shaped how I think. Organization, clarity, process, and accountability are essential. If something isn’t structured, it won’t scale, and it won’t last.
Ethics are just as important. In this industry, technology and pricing matter, but trust matters more. Doing what you say you’re going to do, on time and without surprises, is the real differentiator. Once trust is lost, it’s very hard to earn back.
Staying Ahead in a Fast-Changing Industry
HVAC evolves constantly, so staying current is non-negotiable. I rely on manufacturer meetings, industry newsletters, code updates, conversations with inspectors, and direct feedback from contractors in the field.
One thing I’ve learned is that regulations don’t always play out the same way in real life as they do on paper. Local interpretation matters. Understanding those nuances helps avoid friction and keeps projects moving.
From a technology standpoint, I see the industry entering a new acceleration phase. The transition to A2L refrigerants slowed innovation for a while, but that pause is ending. Modular air handlers, better humidity control, inverter-driven systems, and smarter controls are moving quickly into the mainstream, especially in challenging climates like South Florida.
The next few years are going to be exciting.
Contractors Will Adapt, Because They Always Do
There’s a perception that HVAC is slow to change. I disagree. Contractors want to learn. During the recent refrigerant transition, training sessions filled up faster than expected. People understand that staying current isn’t optional; competition, regulation, and customer expectations demand it.
The market enforces progress. Those who adapt move forward. Those who don’t get left behind.
Lessons from the Field (and the Absurd)
Even though my career has leaned more toward sales and strategy, I’ve seen plenty of things that stick with you.
I’ve seen a PTAC unit ducted to condition an entire house. I’ve responded to a “no cooling” emergency in Miami during a cold snap only to find the system working perfectly and the homeowner unsure how to use the thermostat.
And then there was the customer who insisted on installing a floor-mounted unit outside, next to his barbecue, so he could feel cool air while grilling. Against all advice, it was installed. Sometimes, when money meets desire, logic takes a back seat.
Growth Beyond the Job
Work-life balance doesn’t happen by accident. I approach personal goals the same way I approach work: intentionally.
Outside HVAC, I’ve learned a third language (Italian), I play tennis regularly, I travel, and I make time for relationships. These things don’t happen by chance, they’re planned and protected.
For me, balance comes from structure, not free time.
Advice for the Next Generation
If you’re considering a career in HVAC, my advice is simple: learn the industry before choosing your lane. HVAC offers many paths: technical, sales, operations, leadership, but success depends on aligning your skills and values with the right company.
Once you’re in, think beyond your job description. Understand how the business works, where it’s going, and how you can contribute beyond your role. Growth follows perspective.
Looking Ahead
If I weren’t in HVAC, I’d probably still be close to strategy, marketing, project management, or real estate. But HVAC continues to challenge me in the right ways.
What keeps me here is momentum. This industry rewards those who keep learning, stay structured, and move forward with intention.
That’s how I’ve built my path, and that’s how progress continues.
