Commercial Grade

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Nush (Nushrat) Ahmed, founder of Sisterhood of the Trades and host of the Next Gen MFG podcast, to talk about visibility, mentorship, and what it actually takes to build community in the skilled trades. Nush's path started in a high school automotive class she signed up for on a whim, and led through an associate's degree in aut...

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Omar Essam - HVAC engineer, founder, and self-described industry disruptor - to get into the real engineering problems behind the data center mega boom and what they mean for mechanical contractors, technicians, and the grid. Omar came to HVAC by accident as a fresh engineering graduate, but quickly became fascinated by an indus...

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Andy Bergmann, founder and communication trainer at Mavix Coaching, to unpack why the trades have a communication problem and what it actually takes to fix it. Andy’s path started in the shop floor, moved through project management and HR, and eventually led him to launch Mavix Coaching, a company built specifically to help cons...

In this episode of Commercial Grade , host RC Victorino sits down with Martin King—HVAC veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Legacy Chiller Systems, J&M Fluidics, and Skilled Trades Rescue—to unpack decades of experience building, scaling, and evolving in the trades. Martin shares how he entered the HVAC industry through technical training and a union apprenticeship, eventually growing his own co...

 In this episode of Commercial Grade , host RC Victorino sits down with Curtis Perry Jr., an HVAC Service Technician, last year’s Above and Beyond Award winner, for a conversation about service, leadership, and what it really takes to grow in the trades. Curtis shares how his path started with trade electives in high school, then took shape after a message at church inspired him to learn something...

 In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Wilson Matthew Betances, owner of Energize Us and founder of Energize Us EDU, to break down what’s really holding the skilled trades back—and how to fix it at the cultural level. Wilson shares why he intentionally took on three different roles in the electrical trade—contractor, inspector, and educator—to understand the entire...

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Manja Horner, founder and CEO of Boost ld and author of the upcoming book Pass the Torch . With a background that spans historic restoration, music education, homeschooling, and corporate training, Manja brings a unique perspective to the workforce crisis unfolding across the trades. Manja shares early memories from her father’s...

In this episode of Commercial Grade , host R.C. Victorino sits down with Toronto-based steamfitting apprentices Brooke Laing and Eric Hyatt to talk about labor shortages, apprenticeship life, and what’s really happening on job sites today. With estimates that 55,000 plumbing apprentices are needed over the next three years to replace retiring workers, Brooke and Eric explain why the labor shortage...

The Trades Don’t Run on Shortcuts: Rich Malachy on Building What Lasts Episode Summary: Real leadership isn’t flashy. Rich Malachy shares what it takes to build culture, earn trust, and grow a trades business the right way. Episode Description: In this episode of Commercial Grade , host RC Victorino sits down with Rich Malachy, CEO of Malachy Cares, for a candid conversation about leadership, cult...

In this episode of Commercial Grade , host RC Victorino sits down with Josh Vitale, founder of Project BUILT, to have an honest conversation about addiction, mental health, and what the trades are getting wrong—and right—when it comes to supporting their people. Josh grew up in the construction world and followed a familiar path many never talk about: high pressure, long hours, silence around ment...

In this episode of Commercial Grade , host RC Victorino talks with Karly Rolls Hoehn, Vice President of Rolls Mechanical, about leadership that actually holds up in the field. Karly grew up in the trades and now helps lead a family-owned mechanical contractor through its next chapter. She breaks down what “people first” really means when the work is hard, margins are tight, and quality still matte...

In this episode of Commercial Grade , RC Victorino sits down with Henry Kneeland of Carolina Chillers — a young HVAC apprentice and rising technician — to explore what draws the next generation to mechanical contracting and what keeps them engaged. Henry’s story underscores the power of mentorship, early exposure, and hands-on training. From discovering HVAC in high school shop classes to working...

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Angie Simon — past President and CEO of Western Allied Mechanical, and the driving force behind Heavy Metal Summer Experience — to explore what it takes to lead, inspire, and reshape an industry. From her early days as one of the few female project managers in HVAC to spearheading national initiatives for workforce development a...

Before there were algorithms, there were hands. In this first episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Greg Crumpton, VP at Service Logic, to talk about what it means to futureproof the trades. Greg grew up learning HVAC from his dad — long before anyone called it “mission-critical infrastructure.” From apprentice to company owner to executive, he’s spent his career keeping bu...

What makes a contractor commercial grade? It’s not the size of your crew or the trucks you drive - it’s how you show up when it matters. Hosted by RC Victorino of BuildOps, Commercial Grade goes behind the scenes with industry leaders, innovators, and experts shaping the future of commercial contracting. From leadership on the jobsite to game-changing tech in the back office, every episode deliver...