Straight Outta Crumpton

Great Leaders Share Knowledge, Build Trust, and Empower Future Talent

leaders

The conversation around skilled trades is shifting fast. After decades of “college for all” messaging, trade school enrollment is climbing steadily, signaling a renewed respect for hands-on, high-skill careers that literally keep the world running. In commercial HVAC and mechanical service, this change is not just academic — it’s shaping the next generation of leaders…

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Latest

Articles Building Management
Building Success from the Ground Up: How GreenTeam Found Its Niche in Commercial Infrastructure

Aging infrastructure and growing urban demands are straining America’s commercial facilities. But specialized service providers like GreenTeam are stepping up to fill these gaps. With over 5.9 million commercial buildings in the U.S., many facing deteriorating plumbing and utility systems, the need for reliable, professional contractors has never been greater. This latest episode explores…

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Articles Building Management
Grit, Growth, and Gaining Ground in a Male-Dominated Field: What It Means to Be a Young Female Tech in HVAC

As America ramps up its focus on rebuilding infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, the skilled trades are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. With a national labor shortage in HVAC and related fields, companies are hungry for the next generation of technicians—and women are stepping into the space like never before. Only 2 percent…

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Building Management
AI in HVAC Speeds Up Troubleshooting, Automates Training, and Connects Techs to the Right Data Instantly

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming field service operations across skilled trades, and HVAC is no exception. AI in HVAC is reshaping how technicians access information, troubleshoot systems, and stay productive on the job. As the industry faces an ongoing labor shortage and rising equipment complexity, the need for smarter tools is urgent, especially as…

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Articles Building Management
Passing the Torch: Why the Skilled Trades Must Build a Culture That Protects Technician Wisdom

The skilled trades are facing a demographic cliff. The reality is that far fewer people are entering the trades than leaving, creating a widening gap that threatens the stability of critical infrastructure across the U.S. At the same time, younger generations are bringing different expectations around work-life balance, culture, and purpose. As a result, service…

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Articles Business Services
Built from the Dirt Up: Dillan Dumont’s Journey from Bricklayer to Industry Disruptor

With all types of infrastructure across America aging, there has never been more of a need for smarter, less disruptive solutions than now. From trenchless pipe repair to utility innovation, the construction world is shifting and young leaders like Dillan Dumont are stepping into the spotlight. Cities like New York and Chicago are facing…

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Articles Building Management
Field Engineer to Industry Leader: Coty Fournier’s 35-Year Journey in Construction

Construction is an industry where experience is currency. For many in the field, career paths become case studies in adaptability, strategic growth, and cross-functional expertise. With the U.S. construction market experiencing both highs and lows, the demand for leaders who understand field realities as well as business strategies remains critical to the industry’s success…

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Johnnie Akin
From Deloitte to Startup CEO: Johnnie Akin on Risk, Faith, and Reinvention
November 5, 2025

Success today looks different—defined less by stability and more by the freedom to adapt and evolve. Professionals across industries are reimagining their careers, moving away from predictable ladders toward paths that reflect purpose and balance. What once meant climbing steadily toward partnership or promotion now often means taking bold pivots or pursuing second acts…

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caregiver
From Caregiver to Changemaker: How Purpose and Community Create Lasting Impact
November 5, 2025

Resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges — it’s about leading with compassion, patience, and faith, even when the path feels uncertain. It’s a quality embodied by every caregiver, whose daily acts of care and commitment reflect the essence of true leadership — helping others grow stronger through empathy, service, and understanding. In this episode…

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leaders
Great Leaders Share Knowledge, Build Trust, and Empower Future Talent
November 3, 2025

The conversation around skilled trades is shifting fast. After decades of “college for all” messaging, trade school enrollment is climbing steadily, signaling a renewed respect for hands-on, high-skill careers that literally keep the world running. In commercial HVAC and mechanical service, this change is not just academic — it’s shaping the next generation of leaders…

Read More
NBA
Slow Stories in a Fast League: Why the NBA Still Deserves Real, In-Depth Journalism
November 3, 2025

In a sports world increasingly defined by short-form clips, social algorithms, and viral takes, long-form storytelling remains a vital counterweight — the place where depth, nuance, and narrative still matter. The NBA, perhaps more than any other league, sits at the center of this tension: every quote can become a meme, every story a highlight…

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Other Straight Outta Crumpton
Targeted HVAC Training Boosts Careers, Retention, and Service Quality
August 8, 2025

The HVAC industry is evolving quickly, from advanced controls to new refrigerant standards, yet one principle remains timeless: skilled technicians are the backbone of the trade. What is changing is how companies are preparing those technicians for long-term careers through focused HVAC training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the…

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The Next Era of Workplace Safety Demands Stronger Leadership & Higher Safety Standards
July 22, 2025

Workplace safety is no longer just about meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about fostering a proactive culture of risk management and innovation. With ongoing discussions around the future of OSHA and the rise of AI-driven safety solutions, industries are reevaluating their approach to keeping workers safe. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), workplace fatalities have…

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Women in HVACR Are Driving Change Across the Skilled Trades
July 15, 2025

Trade school enrollment climbed 4.9% between fall 2020 and fall 2023, signaling a national shift toward skills-based careers as alternatives to four-year degrees. This modest but meaningful rebound underscores growing interest in trades like HVACR, where demand is high, but representation remains lopsided. For decades, women in the field have been overlooked despite playing…

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Turning a Career Pivot into Award-Winning Success in the HVAC Industry with Chloe Glynn
July 8, 2025

Breaking into a technical field of industrial sales without prior experience is a huge challenge. But someone like Chloe Glynn achieved such a feat and turned an accidental career pivot into an award-winning profession. As many industries continue to shift towards relationship-driven sales strategies, Glynn’s journey offers a blueprint for success in a…

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Women in HVAC: Pioneering Change in a Male-Dominated Industry
June 24, 2025

The HVAC industry is evolving, and with it, the roles within the sector are expanding beyond traditional boundaries. Amid rising tuition costs and strong demand for skilled labor, young people are increasingly choosing trade schools over a traditional college education. With such a shift highlighting the need for a more diverse workforce, the questions…

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A Greener Future in HVAC: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility with Mike Donahue
June 10, 2025

In an industry grappling with unprecedented changes, from liquid cooling innovations to bridging labor gaps, the HVAC world is evolving rapidly. With sustainability and efficiency becoming central themes, it’s a critical moment for rethinking solutions and workforce development. The stakes are high—data centers alone, for instance, are expected to account for 3-4% of global…

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Scale Smarter in HVAC: Balancing Growth with Employee Engagement
May 27, 2025

The HVAC industry is undergoing significant growth, driven by increased suburban migration and a surge in home renovations requiring system upgrades. The U.S. HVAC market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2025 to 2030. As businesses scale to meet this demand, balancing expansion with retaining strong…

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The Evolution of HVAC Media Through the Eyes of Kyle Gargaro
May 13, 2025

The HVAC industry is no longer just about furnaces and air conditioners, and neither is HVAC media. It’s an ever-evolving ecosystem, shaped by technological advances, regulatory changes, and shifting workforce dynamics. With more than a century of history, publications catering to HVAC-related news, such as ACHR News, have played a crucial role in keeping…

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Building Trust and Simplifying Stories Strengthens Public Relations Strategies
April 29, 2025

The ever-changing public relations and marketing landscape requires authentic storytelling and strong relationships. As industries evolve with emerging technologies, companies must connect with their audiences by fostering trust and understanding their core values. Research highlights a clear divide in brand trust, with only 29% of low-income earners trusting their brands compared to 38% of…

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