Mission: HVAC is back for a third year! We started this program because we wanted to highlight the skills and hard work associated with pursuing a degree in HVAC, as well as provide an educational resource for students in the field.
Three HVAC students from different schools around the country were selected to participate in 10 HVAC-themed missions designed to provide them with valuable insight into what their future careers will look like. In return for their efforts, each student will receive $5,000 toward their education costs.
It’s time to meet this year’s students!
Aaron Rademacher: Ferris State University
Aaron Rademacher grew up understanding the value of a hard work ethic and a job well done. His father’s career as an electrician and owner of his own company, plus his grandfather’s career as a foreman on construction crews played a major role in Aaron’s interest in the HVAC industry. The thriving, family oriented industry was a perfect fit for him, and led him to pursue a degree from Ferris State University in HVACR.
While he has grown up helping on his father’s and grandfather’s construction sites, Aaron’s career truly started to take form last summer, when he had the opportunity to work for Hurst Mechanical in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as an intern. He received positive feedback from his supervisors, and is excited to continue working for the company this upcoming summer. Having access to mentors in the field during his internship allowed Aaron to begin his career path in the right direction.
Leadership was ingrained in Aaron beginning in his first year of high school, when he was given the chance to play on the varsity football team. He ended up being named the MVP of defense and team captain for his junior and senior years, additionally receiving an award for outstanding leadership on and off the field! His passion for his community was reflected in his service, from volunteering as an instructor at a football camp for local children to annually assisting with the nativity scene setup at his church.
Aaron attributes his positive encouragement growing up to the strong bonds he has with his parents, who have always shown their full support of his endeavors, and his two brothers, whom he regards as his closest friends. His long-term career goal is to focus on HVACR service for the first 10 years of his career, then advance to a project management position and part of a sales team. His end goal is to assist an expanding business and have the opportunity to start one of his own.
When he is not hard at work, Aaron enjoys spending time at his parent’s lakeside cottage boating, fishing, and spending quality time as a family. He also considers himself an avid hunter, and can often be found deer and bird hunting during the Autumn months.
An aspiring HVAC pro and avid family man, Aaron is on track for success!
Gustavo Nunez: San Jacinto College
Gustavo Nunez is originally from Acapulco, Mexico, but considers Houston, Texas, his home. He joined the U.S Army at the age of 24 and served for over 9 years as an Infantry Staff Sergeant in charge of coaching, training, and mentoring soldiers on military tactics and combat operations.
After spending so long in the Army, Gustavo decided to return home to Houston and pursue his lifelong dream of owning his own business in the HVACR field. He is currently a student in San Jacinto College’s HVACR program and is on his way to earning a degree that will allow him to accomplish his goal.
Gustavo’s long-term aspiration is to open his own HVACR business that will focus on hiring Veterans from all branches of service. He wants to help provide jobs to veterans who may not have job experience or marketable skills when they finish their service, and help shed light on the problem while providing a solution.
After he finishes school, Gustavo intends to get a job with a great company and gain some industry experience and knowledge in the HVACR field that will help him to progress towards his long term goals.
When he’s not at school or on the job, Gustavo enjoys traveling with his two daughters, Briana, who is 13 and Gianna, who is 18 months old. He also spends a lot of his spare time working out and reading new books.
Gustavo’s dedication to service in all areas of his life will serve him well as an HVAC pro.
Chris Caldwell: Southern Union State Community College
Chris Caldwell is no stranger to fixing machines on the fly – he started out as a mechanic at a bowling alley when he was just 14 years old! Little did he know that his experience at the bowling alley would lead to his pursuit of a career in HVAC.
The middle child between an older sister and a younger brother, Chris was able to move to his own place after high school when, thanks to his high school work experience, he got a job in HVAC. It didn’t take long for him to decided that he wanted to pursue a career in the field.
Chris’s goal is to use his degree and HVAC certification to move up in the company where he works and become a traveling technician. He would love to take his skills on the road and travel throughout the southeast and eventually even the whole country as an HVAC technician.
In his free time, Chris can often be found fishing, working on restoring his boat, and even at work – for fun! He loves his job so much that he never stays away for long.
Chris’s enthusiasm for HVAC will propel him toward a bright future!