Robert’s Message: 43 Years of HVAC Wisdom for the May–June 2025 Workshop

Welcome and Gratitude
Oh, this thing. Yeah.
Welcome, everybody. Again, this has been a wonderful workshop. I really appreciate everybody celebrating my birthday with me this year.

Getting Started in HVAC
This is an interesting thing for a lot of people to learn how to do. It’s not an easy industry to get into. It took me probably two or three years before I actually found a decent job. And then a guy says, “Hey, you want to come and learn how to do HVAC?” And that was 43 years ago.

The Reality of the Trade
This isn’t the most understanding industry in the world. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on that people don’t really know—behind the scenes. And it’s very technical, very—how do I explain it? You constantly want to try to learn.

What Stood Out About This Workshop
I’ve noticed with the students in this workshop, they really were interested in learning. And it was a pleasure and a blessing to help them try and learn that. It’s just a wonderful thing to be able to do this for people.

Passing the Torch
In general, people don’t realize—there aren’t enough folks out there trying to pass things on to the youth. You’re gifted with a certain amount of knowledge, and you need to pass that on to the next generation.
If you’re given that gift, pass it on. And I mean that. It’s nothing short of doing your own due diligence. You’re here on this earth not just to consume oxygen and water and everything else. You’re here to help your fellow man.

Learning from Each Other
Doing this job—thanks to Danny and Andrew—I’ve learned to actually help my fellow man. Not just by giving them comfort and a safe living environment, which I’ve done all my life, but something more.

Advice for the Future
This is a great job. And you guys that are going into this—you’re going to find out: the world is your, as they say, oyster. You’ve got everything ahead of you. Everything in the past is yesterday. Everything forward is up to you.

I always like to say that to everybody. It’s up to you. You can do it. And you’re going to do it. You made it through this workshop. And you’re not going to forget the fact that you did make it through this—no matter how much you struggled, how hot it was, or anything else. You made it.

This Isn’t Easy—And That’s Okay
This workshop is not easy. This industry is not easy. And if you think it is, you’ve got a big eye-opener coming.

Appreciation and Closing
I’m just one of many people in this world trying to do the betterment for others—like Danny, Family, Ela, and Andrew. I just want to say thanks for coming.

Congratulations to everyone who put up with me and Andrew—especially because we’re not the most pleasant people when we get frustrated. And we do. We’re human.

So with that, enjoy tonight. You guys are going to have a fun ceremony.