At Thermosystems, our team of 24 dedicated technicians is the backbone of our success. Each day, they tackle challenges, assist our customers, and bring invaluable expertise to every project. Continuing our Meet the Experts series, we sat down with two more of our standout technicians, Joel Reyes and Vaughn Jakiela. They shared insights into their careers, the lessons they’ve learned, and how they’ve grown with us over the years.
Joel has been in the HVAC industry for almost 20 years and has had experience in various types of tradesman work. Growing up in Chicago, he came from a family with the innate ability to fix almost anything and everything. This led him to a career as an HVAC technician. Over time, he has come to enjoy sharing his knowledge with fellow technicians when he can. Joel has mastered the complexities of controllers, which is crucial for ensuring that systems running optimally and are reliable.
What aspect of being an HVAC technician attracted you to the job most?
I have always been technically inclined, piecing things together. This led me to have a knack for mechanics.
What has been the best lesson you’ve learned while being a technician?
Read the manuals. There is always something to learn, so be curious and search for answers. It goes a long way.
Over time, how have you noticed the HVAC industry change?
It has gotten more technical. Everything from equipment to projects has started to involve computers more. The types of paths you can take as a technician has become very flexible and broad.
What advice do you have for other HVAC technicians?
Show up ready to learn every day. It’s important to be present in the moment and take everything in because there is always something new to learn.
Growing up in McHenry, Illinois, Vaughn has been with Thermosystems since 2018. As our resident expert VRV technician, he knows the ins and outs of the technology as well as other specialties. He has worked on projects in areas such as equipment, supermarket refrigeration, and more, giving him the unique ability to quickly adapt to different scenarios, troubleshoot effectively, and apply best practices from one area of expertise to another.
How has being a technician changed your outlook on life?
I learned the value of troubleshooting. No matter the project or situation, staying calm and following the steps has always led me to success. I can apply this “step-by-step” mentality to anything.
Are there any aspects of the job that you wish people talked about more?
There are a lot of processes that technicians must go through to install and maintain equipment. This requires you to be able to take different paths for each job and be a subject matter expert. It is a lot more than being a mechanic; you are the face of the company when interacting with customers, taking pride in your work for the community.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve experienced as a technician?
The field is constantly changing, which means you need to always look for new niches in equipment and strive to learn new things. I’ve learned to adapt to the continuous change that exists in HVAC, becoming comfortable with applying new service methods quickly.
Do you have any advice for aspiring or current technicians?
Always stay calm and go through the basics of a job, walking through the sequence of operations. Try not to overcomplicate things and step back in order to take things piece by piece, minimizing confusion and bringing you one step closer to success.
We want to express our gratitude to Joel and Vaughn for meeting with us. We would not be where we are today without your dedication to the trade and your passion for advancing your HVAC expertise.
In need of HVAC solutions or interested to learn more about our team? Reach out today and discover what we can do for you!
Want to learn more about HVAC technicians? Read our first installment of Meet the Experts: HVAC Technicians.
