Meet This Year’s Award Recipients
Ashley Finch
South Louisiana Community College
Lafayette, Louisiana
I am inspired by the advancements in sustainable technologies and getting to improve the quality of peoples’ lives with a career in HVAC. As a woman entering a male-dominated field, I am motivated to prove that success in the trades is achievable through hard work and passion.
Austin DeBolt
Alfred State College
Berkshire, New York
I fell in love with trouble shooting and being able to be “the guy” that can get things working. This field has exciting advancements in green-energy to help provide affordable and sustainable energy. That paired with providing a comfortable lifestyle make it a great career path for me.
Bennett Moore
Madison College
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
One thing I’ve realized as an apprentice is how important HVAC is to everyday life, in homes, workplaces, etc. HVAC isn’t going anywhere. It’s rewarding knowing I’m helping people stay comfortable and safe, and I’m excited to keep learning, earn my certifications, and grow in this field.
Brady Zanella
Broome Community College
Amsterdam, New York
I am 100% certain this is the right career for me with such a high demand for skilled technicians, competitive salaries and I enjoy the hands on learning.
Brittany Berry
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Illinois
After more than a decade as a registered nurse, I realized my passion for helping others and solving problems could take a new form in HVACR—an industry that lets me create healthy, comfortable environments without compromising my ethics or values.
Carson Grafford
Lincoln Land Community College
Carrollton, Illinois
The HVAC field offers stability, opportunity, and the satisfaction of solving problems you can see the results of right away. HVAC technicians play a huge role in keeping homes and businesses comfortable and energy-efficient—improving people’s daily lives.
Ciana Rosado Ayala
Quinebaug Valley Community College
Dayville, Connecticut
I knew I wanted to work with my hands, and once I saw HVAC technicians in action, I knew this was the field for me. I’m driven to learn everything, master the trade, and one day teach the next generation.
Cody Cobb
Central Maine Community Collage
Winthrop, Maine
As I move into the next stage of my life, I’m applying the mindset I’ve learn playing football. The drive to do things to the best of my ability in the HVAC field, built on teamwork, reliability, and doing the job right the first time.
Cooper Troha
St. Charles Community College
Augusta, Missouri
I have always enjoyed working with my hands. My grandfather has been in the HVAC industry his entire life, and he is the reason I am set on what I want to do with my life.
Dakota Hamilton
El Camino College
San Pedro, California
HVAC is a career that will always matter. It’s hands-on, challenging, and essential to everyday life and I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of the hardworking trade workers in my family.
Dalton Downing
Indian Hills Community College
Plainfield, Iowa
I’ve seen firsthand how important skilled trades are in rural areas, and I want to be one of the people who steps up when others need help, just like my father and grandfather. HVAC lets me use my hands, solve problems, and make a real difference in my community.
Daniel Sanchez Gutierrez
Dehart Technical School
Modesto, California
I’ve been around the trades since I was 14, and learned how satisfying it is to build and fix things with my hands. My goal is to lead a service team one day, and I can’t wait to get started working towards my dreams.
Devin Smith
Southwest Mississippi Community College
McComb, Mississippi
I’m pursuing a career in HVAC because it aligns with my personal interests and the desire for a stable future. I have always been fascinated by how things work and this field has great advancement opportunities.
Eden Rolfe
Springfield Technical Community College
East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
I was told at an early age that this trade could secure my future and make me an asset in the field. I learn best hands-on, and I’m excited to build a career in a trade that needs more women.
Francesca Gutierrez
Universal Technical Institute
Killeen, Texas
Service allows relationships to flourish and a community to thrive. I’ve always believed in putting others before yourself—whether it’s helping a neighbor move or opening a door for someone. I want to use my HVACR education to bless others—keeping homes warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and creating a charitable business that provides affordable repairs for those in need.
Jaden Politte
State Technical College of Missouri
Viburnum, Missouri
My goal is to eventually move back to the area or to an area with underserved needs and open my own HVAC business.
Jaydon Bautista
Delaware Technical Community College
Milton, Delaware
I’ve always been a hands-on person and after researching different careers, HVAC was the most appealing. My mind is set on success in this field so I can build a strong future for my family and be a great addition to the industry.
Jessica Champagne
Porter and Chester
Vernon, Connecticut
I enjoy working with my hands and solving problems, and HVAC brings something new every day. I take pride knowing my work improves people’s comfort, safety, and quality of life.
Lukas Smith
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Wausaukee, Wisconsin
Once I started learning the trade, I realized I want to learn how to service systems so I can eventually have my own local HVAC business. I’m confident I made the right decision and I plan to serve my community.
Madelynn Adams
State Technical College of Missouri
Richwoods, Missouri
I enjoy being active, helping people, and solving problems. HVACR gives me all of that and a path to my own business one day. As a young woman in the trades, I’m motivated to learn everything I can and build a career that supports my family and my community.
Matthew Chace
Florence Darlington Technical
Florence, South Carolina
HVAC is not just a career—it is a way for me to use my skills to help people and be able to support my community. I want my HVAC career to help me make a real-world impact and inspire a new generation of skilled trade workers.
Owen Lehan
DMACC
Dunlap, Iowa
My ultimate goal is to build a successful HVAC-R business that provides reliable service to my hometown and surrounding areas—bringing skilled trade opportunities back to rural communities that need them most.
Peyton Smith
Austin Community College
Cedar Creek, Texas
I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, and helping my dad with home improvement projects taught me the value of hard work and problem solving. But it was his career in HVAC that truly sparked my passion—showing me it’s not just about fixing air conditioners, it’s about making people’s lives better and more comfortable.
Qaaima Taylor
Nevada Refrigeration and Air Conditioning School
Las Vegas, Nevada
I love hands-on problem-solving and want to build a career that supports others, especially women entering the trades. I’m not just pursuing HVAC — I’m stepping into this field with purpose and a legacy in mind.
Sophia Valenzuela
Riverside City College
Riverside, California
It’s incredible how versatile this trade is—you become a jack of many trades, learning piping, electricity, sheet metal, and refrigeration. I want to challenge the narrative that women don’t belong in the trades and show that we can not only succeed here but lead. HVAC has helped me find my voice, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
Sterling Bray
Randolph Community College
Randleman, North Carolina
I chose HVAC because it’s a career with real opportunity, security, and room to grow — especially as technology advances. My goal is to learn the trade, build a business, and create a future where I can support my family and be present as a father.
Talia Dozier
Central Carolina Technical College
Manning, South Carolina
I chose this field because it challenges me, keeps me learning, and lets me make a real difference. I like the idea of showing up, solving problems, and leaving someone’s day better than it was.
Tyra Talley
Shorter College
Little Rock, Arkansas
After seeing my grandfather enjoy HVAC since the 1970s and support our community, I felt inspired to follow in his footsteps. I’m ready to work hard, learn the trade, and build a career where I can help people and create a more stable future.
Uriel Luna
Francis Tuttle Technical School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
I am drawn to HVAC because it combines hands-on work with problem-solving skills, and it is such an essential service. I believe a career would not only benefit me but also my father’s remodeling and construction company.
Zane Cooper
Lone Star College
Montgomery, Texas
Ever since I was a kid, I have been helping my family with their rental properties and have been fascinated with how to fix systems. My long-term goal is to open my own successful HVAC/R business in the community that gave me my start.