Rebecca Cassel
What caused you to/when did you enter the HVACR industry?
I took a job in 1998 for an HVAC company. I was looking to use my accounting experience and knowledge to help small businesses. I became their office manager and implementation specialist. There were two things that really drew me to this industry: 1. This is an essential business providing an essential service to homeowners. I knew this industry would be a stable one. 2. For the first time, getting into HVACR inspired me to want to be an entrepreneur. I never thought I could be a business owner until I worked at an HVAC company.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in HVACR?
This industry has so much opportunity for those who are looking for a great career path. The most rewarding aspect of this for me has been to provide opportunity for those who want to get into HVACR. The trades don’t always get the credit that is deserved, and being able to employ people who want to serve homeowners, provide an essential service, make a great living, and have an impact has been very rewarding. I have also been very proud of the number of women I have recruited into this industry.
Describe the proudest moment in your career.
In 2014, I was fortunate enough to acquire Success Group International (now CertainPath) from Direct Energy. Our mission is to help contractors improve their lives and achieve their dreams through business success. Today, we help over 1,100 HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing companies grow their businesses. Being a witness to their stories and their success is life-changing. I am so proud to lead a team of people at CertainPath who execute our mission every day.
What challenges do women face in this profession?
I think the biggest challenge that I faced as a woman was the misconception that I wasn’t knowledgeable enough to run an HVAC business because I am a woman. In 1998, when I started my HVAC company in North Carolina, every single installation job that we did our first month did not pass inspection. While I knew that we weren’t perfect, I knew that we were being singled out. I was new to the area, young, and female. I felt like I was not a part of the “good old boys” club. So I focused on our quality, but I also went in to talk to the head inspector to understand why my jobs were being turned down when others were installing systems the same way we were and passing. Very shortly after that conversation, I felt like we were being treated the same as other companies. I also became president of the local contractors association to build relationships and to let other HVAC contractors know that I would be a good competitor.
How can we increase the number of women in HVACR?
I think awareness is the first step. I do not think women today really understand the opportunities that exist in this industry. There are a lot of stereotypes that exist, and we must continue to break through those stereotypes. I believe it is also up to the women in this industry to share their stories and their experiences with other women. Today at CertainPath, 45% of our company is female. Our team of women are bringing in other women. More companies in our industry need to attend job fairs, communicate with high school guidance counselors, and work with career placement centers at colleges to explain the opportunity. Providing career paths for those who don’t come from the stereotypical backgrounds for this industry is also key. So much training is available at a very low cost for women who have an interest in getting into HVACR.
What does your day-to-day job entail?
As a CEO, my day-to-day can vary quite a bit. My focus is to provide a clear vision and mission to our team, ensure that we execute that vision according to our core values, serve our customers with excellence, protect and grow all of our assets, and nurture our culture so that we retain our current team and attract future team members. Another big part of my job is to solve problems.
What remains on your HVACR bucket list — what do you aspire to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?
I want to be a part of solving our national labor shortage problem in the industry. I think women are definitely a part of that solution; however, a large effort and focus to attract both men and women into the trades has to be a priority. Companies are having to solve that challenge now for themselves now.
What words of advice do you have for females who are considering entering the HVACR field?
This is a great industry to build your career. There are so many ways to enter the industry and so many resources to learn from. I think the big fear in a lot of women is that you must be technical. I started in the office, did sales, took training courses, and learned the technical side as I went. Although I was never a full-time tech or installer, my ambition and willingness to learn paved the way for me to gain the knowledge I needed in this industry. I know many women who became business owners and then got their license. And it can be done relatively quickly. I didn’t have to wait 20 years before I owned my own company. The support for women in the HVACR industry has come a long way in the last 27 years. If I can do it, any woman can.
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