HVAC Leaders

Ashlei Rolloff

You've built something real. But when you add people and revenue, your systems break and you get pulled back in. Scaling means your systems evolve—both how you operate and who you are as a leader. This is conscious leadership. How you show up—your awareness, your decision patterns, your energy—directly impacts your commercial performance. Your reps perform consistently. Your forecast holds. Your team stays because they understand what matters. When your systems evolve, something shifts. You have an engaged team aligned to your values. A business with 10x impact.

  1. 27 jul

    22. Leading Beyond Yourself Rick Sutkiewicz on Scaling Leaders

    What happens when the biggest obstacle to growth is the leader?  In Part 2 of our special HVAC Leaders series, Three Generations of HVAC Leadership, Ashlei Rolloff sits down with Rick Sutkiewicz, former President and current Chairman of ThermalNetics, to discuss one of the hardest leadership transitions: letting go.  Rick reflects on how his leadership evolved from making every decision himself to building a leadership team empowered to make decisions, solve problems, and move the organization forward. Through honest stories and practical advice, he shares why growth required more than better systems. It required humility, trust, and a willingness to stop being the bottleneck.  The conversation also explores EOS, company culture, strategic resilience, customer relationships, and why the organizations that thrive over the long term invest in people before processes.  This episode continues our special three-part series:  Three Generations of HVAC Leadership  Part 1: Where We Started with Jim Newman (Now Available)   Part 2: Where We've Been with Rick Sutkiewicz (Now Available)   Part 3: Where We're Going with Matt Russell (Coming Soon)   In this episode, you'll learn  Why leadership changes as organizations grow   How to recognize when you've become the bottleneck   Why empowering others creates stronger organizations   How EOS created accountability and alignment at ThermalNetics   Why culture starts with self-awareness   How customer trust is built by solving problems instead of selling products   Why resilient companies stay focused on their core business while adapting to change   How intentional daily habits help leaders create space for strategic thinking   Memorable moments  "I had to let go of the vine."   "I was the bottleneck in the organization."   "Culture first. Period."   "The collective results of the team will always outperform one individual."   Resources Mentioned  Traction by Gino Wickman https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book  What the Heck Is EOS? by Gino Wickman https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-the-heck-is-eos  From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670191/from-strength-to-strength-by-arthur-c-brooks/  Rick Sutkiewicz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-sutkiewicz-70b4aab/  Whether you're leading a growing business, building a leadership team, or trying to create more space to think strategically, Rick's story is a reminder that sustainable growth begins when leaders stop trying to carry everything themselves.

    22. Leading Beyond Yourself Rick Sutkiewicz on Scaling Leaders

  2. 13 jul

    21. BUILDING MORE THAN A BUSINESS Jim Newman on Relationships, Resilience, and Lasting Leadership

    What does it take to build something that lasts for more than 50 years? In the first episode of our special HVAC Leaders series, Three Generations of HVAC Leadership, Ashlei Rolloff sits down with Jim Newman, co-founder of ThermalNetics, to explore the leadership principles, customer relationships, and decisions that built a company designed to stand the test of time. Jim shares stories from the early days of ThermalNetics, why selling service instead of simply selling equipment changed the customer experience, and how listening, resilience, and continuous learning became the foundation of his leadership philosophy. The conversation goes beyond HVAC. Jim reflects on failure, mentorship, purpose, and why great leaders never stop learning. He also shares how a book by Pema Chödrön, Welcoming the Unwelcome, influenced the way he thinks about setbacks, growth, and attitude. This episode begins our special three-part series: Three Generations of HVAC Leadership Part 1: Where We Started with Jim Newman Part 2: Where We've Been with Rick Sutkiewicz (Coming Soon) Part 3: Where We're Going with Matt Russell (Coming Soon) In this episode, you'll learn: Why relationships have always been the foundation of great businessHow ThermalNetics differentiated itself by selling service, not just equipmentWhy leaders should spend more time listening than talkingWhat resilience really looks like in business and in lifeWhy failure can become one of your greatest teachersHow mentoring the next generation strengthens the future of the HVAC industryWhy existing buildings represent one of the industry's biggest opportunities Resources Mentioned Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World by Pema Chödrön Learn more about the book Connect with Jim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimnewmandeanofgreen/ Whether you're leading a business, mentoring future leaders, or looking for perspective from someone who has spent decades shaping the HVAC industry, this episode is a reminder that lasting success isn't built overnight. It's built through relationships, resilience, and a commitment to making the people around you better.

    21. BUILDING MORE THAN A BUSINESS Jim Newman on Relationships, Resilience, and Lasting Leadership

  3. 29 jun

    20. The Inner Game of HVAC Leadership: Elise Radawitz on Mindset Shifts That Build Cultures People Want to Stay In

    What if retention starts with how leaders show up every day? In this episode of HVAC Leaders, host Ashlei Rolloff talks with Elise Radawitz, founder of Velocity Leader, about the inner game of leadership in the trades: the mindset, self-awareness, communication, and emotional literacy required to build cultures where people want to stay. Elise brings nearly a decade of experience across HR, sales, marketing, and learning and development in HVAC distribution. After seeing the same leadership gaps show up across distributors, contractors, wholesalers, and manufacturers, she built Velocity Leader to help leaders in the trades become calmer, more confident, and less reactive. They cover: Why strong technical performers are often promoted before they are prepared to leadThe difference between managing tasks and leading peopleWhy self-awareness is the starting point for better communication and accountabilityHow one-on-ones can build connection instead of feeling like another corporate processWhy emotional literacy matters in a practical, relationship-driven industryHow leaders can become less reactive and more curiousWhy denying the human side of leadership keeps teams stuckFor HVAC executives, contractors, distributors, and marketers, this conversation brings leadership back to what truly drives retention: people who feel connected, coached, and supported by the leaders in front of them. More on Elise Radawitz:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseradawitz/https://velocity-leader.com/The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod - https://a.co/d/0cB9uk2V

  4. 1 jun

    19. Institutional Knowledge Has an Expiration Date: Ben Bomar on Protecting HVAC Growth

    What happens when your company’s most valuable knowledge walks out the door? In this episode of HVAC Leaders, Ashlei Rolloff sits down with Ben Bomar of Lithius to unpack one of the biggest operational risks facing HVAC and field service companies today: losing institutional knowledge faster than it can be transferred. As companies scale, sales growth often outpaces operational readiness. Ben shares how HVAC leaders can identify the warning signs before customer experience, profitability, and team confidence begin to suffer. They discuss: Why operational infrastructure breaks before leadership realizes it The “many-to-few” problem hiding inside service businesses How vacations, retirements, and light duty assignments expose process gaps Why customer complaints and repeat trips are often training problems in disguise The difference between knowing, doing, and being when capturing institutional knowledge Why documenting everything is not the same as preserving wisdom How HVAC companies can create scalable knowledge transfer systems without overwhelming the team Practical first steps leaders can take immediately Ben also shares why institutional knowledge should be treated like any other critical business asset and why waiting until retirement is often too late. For HVAC leaders navigating growth, workforce shifts, succession planning, or operational scaling, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for protecting what makes your company valuable. More on Ben Bomar:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbomar/ https://www.lithyus.com/

  5. 18 may

    18. AI Won’t Replace Leaders. Passive Leaders Will Fall Behind: Panel Discussion with Ashlei Rolloff, Chris Morbitzer, Rosalynn Verges, and Zac Engler on Intentional AI Adoption

    AI adoption is not a technology problem. It is a leadership decision.  In this episode of HVAC Leaders, Ashlei Rolloff sits down with Zac Engler, Chris Morbitzer, and Rosalynn Verges for an honest conversation about what AI adoption actually looks like inside growing businesses.  This is not another conversation about shiny tools or fear-driven headlines. It is a practical discussion about leadership, operations, culture, and the real maturity ladder companies must climb if they want AI to create measurable business value.  Ashlei and the panel unpack why some companies scale faster with AI while others stall after rollout, how executives should think about adoption, and why the future belongs to leaders willing to rethink work itself.  Key insights from the episode:  Why most companies suffer from “AI shiny object syndrome”  The AI maturity ladder and how businesses move from experimentation to real operational integration  Why AI adoption fails when leaders delegate the strategy  How fear and identity impact team adoption more than the tools themselves  What successful AI rollouts actually look like inside organizations  How to measure ROI from AI investments before scaling  Why AI should remove repetitive work, not human connection  The leadership responsibility behind creating healthier, more sustainable workplaces   Memorable takeaway:  “Leaders, you own that choice.” — Rosalynn Verges  If you are an HVAC executive, marketer, or business owner trying to separate AI hype from real operational strategy, this conversation gives you a grounded framework for moving forward with clarity.  More on Rosalynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalynnverges/ More on Zac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacengler/ More on Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismorbitzer/

  6. 23 mar

    17. Stop Being the Bottleneck: Lori Bruhns on Coaching Your Team to Think

    What if the answers that built your HVAC business are now slowing your team down?  In this episode of HVAC Leaders, host Ashlei Rolloff sits down with executive coach Lori Bruhns to discuss a leadership shift that many technical leaders struggle with: moving from telling people the answers to coaching them to think.  After nearly two decades coaching engineers, executives, and technical leaders, Lori has seen the same pattern repeatedly. Leaders succeed because they know the answers. But eventually, that strength turns them into the bottleneck.  Instead of building a team that solves problems, they unintentionally build a team that waits.  Lori explains how a coaching mindset changes that dynamic and creates teams that think, solve, and grow on their own.  Key insights from this episode:  Why the same expertise that built your company can limit your growth The leadership shift from telling to asking How curious questions reveal gaps in thinking and training The difference between closed questions (facts) and curious questions (insight) How the language shift from problem to puzzle changes how teams approach challenges Why technicians and operators often need 90–180 days to truly absorb new knowledge  The four learning styles leaders should understand to train teams more effectively  Referenced Links: Grab Lori’s coaching guide: https://loribruhns.com/guide/hvac-coaching-guideMore on Lori: https://loribruhns.comConnect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribruhns/

    17. Stop Being the Bottleneck: Lori Bruhns on Coaching Your Team to Think

  7. 9 feb

    16. Building Your AI Operations Plan: What Works in HVAC, What Doesn't, and Where to Start

    You know AI matters. You know your team needs a strategy. But when you look at your operation and ask "where do we actually start?"—you hit a wall. ABOUT OUR GUEST Colleen Keyworth is VP of Sales and Marketing at Online Access, a Michigan-based HVAC web solutions company. She's built AI into real HVAC operations from both the manufacturing and contractor side, giving her unique insight into what actually works versus what drains resources. WHAT WE DISCUSS The AI framework HVAC executives need first: Identify where time is wasted before you buy any tool. AI replaces wasted time, not people.Internal agentic AI that scales your operation: How to build company-specific AI agents that let employees find answers instantly instead of creating management bottlenecks.The critical difference between chat tools and agentic AI: Chat (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) is a starting point. Agentic AI connects third-party systems to automate entire workflows.Why AI-generated marketing content tanks your campaigns: Contractors using synthetic content consistently underperform. Your competitors will learn this the hard way.Operationalizing AI through EOS frameworks: Use the Delegate & Elevate exercise to identify which tasks can be automated versus which still need human execution.Essential listening for VPs of Sales and Marketing at HVAC manufacturers, reps, and distributor organizations who need to justify AI investments and prove ROI. Email: ckeyworth@online-access.comLinkedIn: Search "Colleen Keyworth"Company: Online Access (online-access.com) Tools mentioned: Wispr Flow, Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Zapier, EOS Framework

    16. Building Your AI Operations Plan: What Works in HVAC, What Doesn't, and Where to Start

  8. 15/12/2025

    15. BEST OF 2025: Voices of HVAC Leadership

    What actually moved the needle in HVAC this year? In this “Best of” episode, Ashlei Rolloff brings together five of the sharpest conversations from 2025, conversations that challenge how we lead, grow, and market in this industry. You’ll hear from: Greg Crumpton on retention, field leadership, and why presence still matters Craig Bunker on how private equity evaluates people, process, and culture and what HVAC businesses can do now to build long-term value Christyn Mueller on generational shifts in workplace communication and how leaders can close the gap Tony Mormino on practical HVAC social media strategy, by channel, audience, and time constraint Zac Engler on AI leadership, shadow tools, and how to support not replace your team This isn’t just a recap. It’s a pulse check. A look at what’s really changing in HVAC and how the best leaders are responding. Full Episode Links: Greg Crumpton - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c1ZSGu6LDtVXUbMpcPtuo?si=TXKcCe4SRMi539zEn37jmg Tonka Bay - Craig Bunker - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Fy2v0oi02zyyCOQHlm3PT?si=ZG8kuuT2S3OERmRoy5UU_A Johnson Controls -Christyn Mueller - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tyauPOkfyqbqQcBdjIqh0?si=iyDAc2w_Q0WWfv-QY382vQ Tony Mormino - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YKtgtQaoHTrH7GMCBaIfS?si=3JKu63KSSVKPn4XyMxMaPw Bodhi Ai - Zac Engler - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NpNsKovQ09vZ4aljpMgaF?si=Fwd_Hd2OSJCpR3Jwck5ufw Quote to Remember:"You do not scale a business by scaling people alone. You scale it by building clarity, culture, and systems that outlive the org chart." — Craig Bunker

    15. BEST OF 2025: Voices of HVAC Leadership
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You've built something real. But when you add people and revenue, your systems break and you get pulled back in. Scaling means your systems evolve—both how you operate and who you are as a leader. This is conscious leadership. How you show up—your awareness, your decision patterns, your energy—directly impacts your commercial performance. Your reps perform consistently. Your forecast holds. Your team stays because they understand what matters. When your systems evolve, something shifts. You have an engaged team aligned to your values. A business with 10x impact.

Información

  • Creador
    Ashlei Rolloff
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    23
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Ashlei Rolloff
  • Mostrar sitio web
    HVAC Leaders

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