EGIA Foundation Welcomes 2022-2023 HVAC HERO Scholarship Winners

Adrian Gallegos
Seward County Community College
Garden City, KS

I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and be certified as a universal technician in HVACR. I love fixing equipment and learning new material. Once I graduate, I want to get experience out in the field for a couple of years and travel the United States while working on the differnt systems.

Ashlyn Jackson
John A Logan College
Carbondale, IL

I have a strong passion for science and technology, as well as entrepreneurship. With the help of the people I’ve met, as well as my own passion to provide a needed service to my neighbors and community members, HVAC has impowered me progress toward this growing and exciting career field.

Brenda Martinez
Perry Technical Institute
Yakima, WA

As I researched the HVAC/R industry, I found so many branches and specialties within this trade, with no shortage of possibilities and opportunities. I am excited to help to my community and the individuals I encounter when I become an International Refrigeration Technology Technician.

Brian Carbajal
Yakima Valley Community College
Selah, WA

I am the first person out of my family to go to any big trade school, so it’s pretty exciting for me to be doing something so different. I have always been the type to learn best when I can see, feel and be right in front of what I’m learning, and I am excited to start my HVAC journey. I can’t wait to get out in the field and work.

Diana Montiel Silva
Wake Technical Community College
Durham, NC

My dad used to let me go help him out with his HVAC jobs. With each new job, I grasped skills quickly, which mand me fall in love with the industry. To me, the greatest part of the job is not only when you finish, but when you also leave your customer happy and confident that their unit is now working properly.

Jaxon Barber
Guilford Technical Community College
Greensboro, NC

When I was making my decision about what path I wanted to pursue after high school, I initially was going to go into another trade. After consulting family and mentors, I decided to go into HVAC and couldn’t be happier. After graduation, I have a long-term vision of starting an employee-owned HVAC business.

Jeremy Conti
Quinsigamond Community College
Grafton, MA

What inspired me to pursue an HVAC technical education is the sheer scope and possibilities the industry presents. My plans after graduation are to sharpen my new skillset as a service technician for residential and commercial systems, and contribute to the sustainable energy movement.

Jose Gurrola
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, KS

My inspiration to pursue a career in the HVAC industry is to not only better my life, but also provide a better future for my daughter. I find the HVAC field challenging and enjoyable, and I love the trouble shooting process that goes into it. I feel like the being a HVAC technician is a perfect fit for me.

Joseph Huerta
Seward County Community College
Garden, KS

What inspired me to join the HVAC-R technical school was that it’s a great trade to get into, especially as this job is needed everywhere in the states. I also wanted to learn a trade that I would be a able to benefit from financially. I plan to work with a company after graduating to become a better HVAC technician.

Julian Lara
Ferris State University
Grand Rapids, MI

I was inspired to choose this career path by my cousin, who is in the industry. I see the demand for honest and knowledgeable HVAC techs sky rocketing. Not many other people my age are interested in doing hands-on, difficult work, which makes me a valuable asset. I can’t wait to graduate and get into the field!

Juan Garcia
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

What inspired me to puruse a degree in HVAC is my family, and my love for the trade. I’ve worked in construction in the past, and saw HVAC technical education as the next step in my career. My plans after graduation are to keep studying while working to improve my knowledge and to become one of the best technicians out there.

Kyna Cardenas
San Joaquin Valley College – Temecula
Lake Elsinore, CA

My inspiration to pursue an HVAC technical education was to make a better life for not only my family but for myself as well. I know through this industry I am going to have to prove myself by being a team player, that I’m open to new ideas, as well as proving my independence when working with equipment.

Marshall Stephens
Oakland Community College
Rochester Hills, MI

I have worked as a maintenance person for the past few years and while I enjoy it, I feel it is time for me to expand my skills and pursue HVAC as a profession. As I complete my first semester in the HVAC Program, I have enjoyed the physics and science involved in the trade, and I can’t wait to graduate so that I can expand my skills.

Mellena Everett
J. F. Drake State Technical College
Huntsville, AL

I was inspired to pursue this career by my uncle, who is also in the trade. I was a bit apprehensive at first as I was the only female in the class, but I persevered and have enjoyed every minute of it. My career vision is to become a licensed HVAC technician and to provide heating and cooling solutions for people in my community.

Nathan Luehrs
Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, MN

Growing up, I was always curious how things worked. If something wasn’t working right, I’d take it apart and try to fix it. After my first 2 years at college, I decided to find a job where I could work with my hands, which is why I decided to switch to HVAC. I enjoy being challenged, and I believe that HVAC/R work will keep me on my toes.

Nicholas Wiederholt
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

I have always been interested in HVAC, ever since I was a kid helping my dad work in the backyard. Now that I am almost done with my first year in the program, I can truly say that this is the industry for me. I am looking forward to finding a summer internship where I can get some experience with building automation and industrial HVACR systems.

Stephan Przybylowicz
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Louisa, VA

I currently live in an income-sharing community, and one of our main goals as a community in self-sufficiency. As the community’s equipment maintenance manager, I’d like to pursue formal training in HVAC and be able to install and maintain our current and future climate control systems, as this will greatly improve our quality of life and longterm maintenance of our buildings.

Zachary Sale
Perry Technical Institute
Piqua, OH

All my life, I knew I wanted to do some form of trade school. When my family received a new HVAC system in our house, I watched the technicians do their job and I knew that this was a career path I would like to pursue. While I am a great student in school, I am more of a hands-on person that does better with fixing things. I look forward to starting my career as an HVAC technician.