Is Your AC Failing? 5 Warning Signs to Watch For in Littleton, CO
Leadership • HVAC • 35 Years of Service
From One Battle to the Next Battle: 35 Years of Leading Through the Seasons
Thirty-five years ago, I traded my military uniform for a serviceman uniform and a tool belt. Transitioning from the military to the civilian world is a pivot many veterans know well, but for me, that pivot turned into a three-decade journey at the helm of an HVAC company.
As I look back, it’s clear that while the equipment changed—from tactical gear to heat pumps and air handlers—the core of the mission never did. Whether you’re on a flight line or managing a fleet of service vans, leadership is about two things: people and processes.
The Mission-First Mindset
In the military, “Mission First, Team Always” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a survival strategy. In the HVAC world, the mission is ensuring a family has heat in a sub-zero blizzard or a business stays operational during a record-breaking heatwave.
Running a business for 35 years taught me that if you take care of your people, they will take care of the mission. When a technician is stuck in a crawlspace at 8:00 PM on a Friday, they aren’t working for the paycheck alone—they’re working because they know their leadership has their back.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Are King
If there is one thing the military drills into you, it’s the importance of a process. In HVAC, a lack of process leads to callbacks, wasted refrigerant, and unhappy customers.
The checklist matters. Just as we had pre-flight or pre-patrol checks, our techs use rigorous diagnostic checklists. Precision matters because “good enough” doesn’t work when you’re dealing with electrical loads or gas pressures. Adaptability matters too, because no plan survives first contact with a 20-year-old outdated system. You need a process to fall back on so you have the mental space to improvise.
Leading Through the “Heat”
Leadership is easy when the weather is 72 degrees and the phones are quiet. True leadership is tested in the shoulder seasons and the extreme peaks. Over 35 years, I’ve learned that a leader’s primary job is to be the thermostat, not the thermometer.
A thermometer just reflects the temperature of the room—if things are heated and stressful, the thermometer gets hot too. A thermostat regulates the environment. When the team is overwhelmed, a leader brings the temperature down, keeps the focus sharp, and restores the balance.
The Legacy of the Long Haul
Running a service business for three and a half decades isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon through every imaginable type of terrain. I’ve seen technology evolve from basic mercury thermostats to AI-driven smart homes, but the human element remains unchanged.
To my fellow veterans entering the trades: your ability to lead, your discipline, and your commitment to the process are your greatest assets. To my team and my customers: thank you for the last 35 years of trust. I was built to serve, and my greatest privilege is building a team of professionals to serve their teammates and community.
The mission continues.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership carries across roles: Military leadership principles translate powerfully into the HVAC industry.
- People support the mission: When leadership supports the team, the team delivers under pressure.
- Process prevents problems: Strong SOPs improve consistency, precision, and customer outcomes.
- Calm leadership matters most in peak demand: Great leaders regulate pressure instead of reacting to it.
- Long-term success is built over time: Technology changes, but service, trust, and discipline remain constant.
Written by Tim Evans, President & Founder of Aim High HVAC
Tim, Founder of Aim High HVAC and US Air Force Veteran, brings over four decades of industry experience, having worked at all levels. Whether performing service, installations, or mentoring his team, Tim is dedicated to addressing inquiries and providing personalized solutions.
