Comfort Systems USA Mid-South

My approach has been shaped by both the realities of the skilled trades and the behaviors I see from candidates every day. In HVAC, plumbing and electrical work, traditional recruiting methods only go so far. Over time, I’ve learned that trust, credibility and understanding real-world skillsets matter more than resumes alone. That’s driven me to focus on relationship-building and skillset-based recruiting—taking the time to understand how someone works in the field, problem-solves and fits into a team rather than just checking qualifications on paper.

Pipelines Matter More Than Job Postings

We take a proactive, pipeline-based approach to labor shortages by engaging with the communities and organizations that actively pursue skilled trades education. That includes technical schools, apprenticeships and workforce development partners. At the same time, we hold firm on quality and safety standards by emphasizing proper training, mentorship and consistent hiring expectations. Offering year-round opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals allows us to grow talent internally while maintaining the standards required to work safely and effectively in the field.

Trust, credibility and understanding real-world skillsets matter more than resumes alone.

The most effective strategy has been telling our story—not just advertising jobs. We focus on helping people understand who we are, our culture and the long-term opportunities available to them. Retention is driven by visibility and investment, which is why we prioritize clear career pathing. We work with individuals to show them how they can grow from where they are today to where they want to be, whether that’s advancing technically or stepping into leadership, with support provided at no cost to our colleagues.

Bridging Experience and Emerging Talent

I believe true partnership starts with being present. Rather than operating solely from an office, I spend time in the field alongside operations leaders and crews. Those conversations—listening to challenges, needs and solutions as they arise—create alignment naturally. Being embedded in the work allows us to anticipate staffing needs, stay ahead of project demands and ensure talent acquisition is fully aligned with what’s happening on the job site.

Talent acquisition in the trades has evolved into a bridge between experienced professionals and emerging, entry-level talent. As training pathways become more diverse and technology like AI helps identify talent faster, continuity and collaboration across departments have become critical. Successful talent acquisition today relies on aligning recruiting, training and operations to build sustainable workforces that can adapt while preserving the craftsmanship, safety and knowledge that define the skilled trades.