Breakout Sessions
The core of SummitBreakout Sessions
The core of Summit
High-Performance HVAC Begins with Leadership
Presented by: Anthony Woo, Co-founder, Climatisation ACG, Quebec, Canada
High-Performance HVAC™ doesn’t begin with better equipment or more training — it begins with leadership. In this session, Anthony shares how a clear leadership decision transformed his company from traditional installation practices into a measurement-driven, high-performance organization built around testing, verification, and continuous improvement.
Anthony will share the practical steps required to turn high-performance concepts into everyday operational standards, including how to introduce measurement culture to your team, gain technician buy-in, and move from guesswork to data-driven decision making.
Attendees will leave with practical leadership strategies for implementing High-Performance HVAC principles, building confidence within their teams, and creating a culture where testing and verification become the standard.
Read more about Anthony
Anthony Woo is the co-founder of Climatisation ACG, a Quebec-based HVAC company dedicated to high-performance systems, measurement-driven diagnostics, and raising industry standards through education and collaboration. Under his leadership, ACG has embraced a culture centered on testing, verification, and continuous improvement rooted in the principles of high-performance HVAC and building science.
Anthony is passionate about mentorship and community within the trades and believes the greatest advancements in the industry happen when contractors learn and grow together. An active member of the National Comfort Institute community, he regularly participates in training and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing HVAC performance standards. In 2025, Climatisation ACG was honored as NCI Contractor of the Year, recognizing the company’s commitment to leadership, technical excellence, and industry collaboration.
How to Change Culture and Build a High-Performance Team
Presented by: Ken Beasley, Owner, Mission Critical Comfort Solutions, Kathleen, GA
If you feel like you are fighting a losing battle, learn how Ken changed his company’s focus by developing a systematic approach that improved culture while delivering High-Performance HVAC work to his customers.
In this session, Ken shares lessons he learned from rebuilding an HVAC company plagued by callbacks, technician turnover, and inconsistent performance. He quickly understood that getting buy-in and staying connected with his team were critical to their success.
He will also cover the three-step approach Mission Critical implemented to cement a company-wide high-performance mindset and culture.
Read more about Ken
Ken Beasley is the founder and owner of Mission Critical Comfort Solutions, a veteran-owned HVAC company serving Middle Georgia. A Bonaire, Georgia native, Ken founded MCCS in 2017 to serve his hometown and create meaningful career opportunities in the skilled trades. Before entering the HVAC industry, he served as a U.S. Army Field Artillery officer and deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. Ken is NCI-certified in Duct System Optimization, Residential System Performance, Residential Air Balancing, and Refrigerant Side Performance. He is passionate about building technician buy-in through repeated training, strong culture, and field implementation.
Be the Torchbearer: Lead Your Organization to High-Performance HVAC
Presented by: John Ellis, President, Dynamic Air Consulting, Las Vegas, NM
HVAC professionals start their careers in many different ways. Some may have started in a family business. Others may have entered the HVAC industry through a trade school. Many started at the bottom, usually as a helper, not really knowing if this was going to be the career they wanted.
No matter where you started, there is usually a time in your life when you think “there has to be more to this industry”.
In this session, John will take you through his career, past/present/future, and share the unusual directions that his knowledge, experience, and expertise have taken him. Learn the many ways you can “find your place” and become a torchbearer for our industry.
Regardless of where you are today or where you are headed in your journey, this session will inspire and motivate you to blaze your amazing, unique path forward.
Read more about John
As the owner of Dynamic Air Consulting, John works with clients on complex indoor air quality issues; and provides in-field coaching to HVAC professionals during the discovery, design, and implementation of IAQ solutions.
With more than 40 years in the HVAC industry, John has spent time in several industry unions, including those for sheetmetal workers, pipefitters, and the International Union of Operating Engineers.
During his career, John has held numerous certifications including: Building Science;
Indoor Air Quality, EPA Renovator; Residential and Commercial Air Balance;
Commercial System Performance; Economizer Specialist; Level 1 Thermographer; and
Quality Insulation Installation. John has also been active in trade organizations such
as: National Comfort Institute (NCI); the Institute of Heating & Air Conditioning
Industries (IHACI); and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).
Currently, John travels the country teaching a workshop on “Indoor Air Quality:
Building Better Environments”.
How to Leverage Technology Without Losing Craftsmanship
Presented by: Terry McWilliams, Founder, Texcellent A/C Service, Deer Park, TX
This session is designed for contractors at any stage who want to raise their standards while still operating in the real world.
Many HVAC contractors are trying to do the right thing — using better tools, better testing, and better processes — but the reality of the field doesn’t always allow for perfect diagnostics on every call. Between busy seasons, customer budgets, time constraints, knowing how far to go, when to go deeper, and how to stay accurate without slowing your business down can be a constant challenge.
In this session, Terry shares his ongoing journey of building a High-Performance HVAC company while staying lean, practical, and customer focused. Using the core principles of Professionalism, Expertise, Accuracy, and Craftsmanship, he will discuss how technology, diagnostics, and experience can work together to improve results without losing efficiency or common sense. Attendees will learn practical strategies for choosing the right tests for the situation, setting up follow-up opportunities when deeper work is needed, and creating a culture where accuracy is not just a tool — but a mindset.
Read more about Terry
From humble beginnings, Terry McWilliams entered the HVAC trade through a government-sponsored crash course. From there, he built his way to founding Texcellent A/C Service. Today, he leads his own high-performance HVAC Contracting Company, balancing professionalism, expertise, accuracy, and craftsmanship—his PEAC values. As a unique presence in the union space, affiliated with Local 211, he gives back to the programs that gave him his start.
The High-Performance HVAC™ Sales Process – Ask Us Anything!
Presented by: David Richardson, VP of Training, and Dominick Guarino, President and CEO, National Comfort Institute, Morristown, TN
High-Performance HVAC sales can seem daunting and sometimes confusing. Where and how do you start? How do you generate leads? What’s the best way to handle the three common types of leads? And how do you take it from step one to closing profitable sales?
In the first half of this workshop, David and Dom will share a start-to-finish proven process that will help you generate high-quality leads, offer the right solutions, and close high-margin sales – and make your happy customers the best source of future business.
In the second half, you can ask this duo any question about the sales process and participate in a lively dialogue of best practices that work!
Read more about David
David joined National Comfort Institute full time in 2010 as a curriculum developer and trainer and now as vice president of training. He has been involved in High-Performance HVAC Contracting™ since 2001. This experience allowed him the opportunity to test, diagnose, and correct many HVAC and Home Performance issues over the past two decades.
In addition, David writes monthly columns for various industry publications to help increase awareness on the importance of HVAC performance testing. David is a regular presenter at many industry conferences working to spread the message of High-Performance HVAC.
Read more about Dominick
Dominick Guarino has grown the company from the ground up along side former President Rob Falke, into the HVAC industry’s largest independent training and certification organization. He co-founded NCI in 1994 with Rob (originally National Balancing Institute). NCI has also grown into a premier membership organization focused on every aspect of helping HVAC contractors. Dominick oversees all aspects of operations, new product introductions, and sales and marketing for the company. He also manages NCI’s business management, sales and soft skills training team. He presides over NCI conferences and participates in HVAC industry conferences and meetings.
Become a Home Performance Whisperer
Presented by: John Esquivel, President, Austin Star Comfort Services, Austin, TX
Most home performance project failures aren’t caused by a lack of effort. They’re a result of incorrect assumptions from not listening to your customer and/or not understanding the home.
In this session, Jon breaks down the most common pitfalls that HVAC and home performance contractors struggle with, and how to overcome them. From misunderstood rebate programs to outdated rules of thumb, you’ll see how small issues can mushroom into bigger problems that impact both your results and your customer’s trust.
Learn Jon’s process from start to finish that will help create the right scope of work and deliver repeatable results that will delight your customers!
Read more about John
Jon Esquivel, a 44-year-old Austin native, embodies the mantra “Knowledge is power—when combined with work ethic and execution.” As the owner of Austin Star Comfort Services, Jon blends extensive field experience with formal training in HVAC, energy auditing, and home performance consulting. His journey began with military service as a Cavalry Scout, followed by a transition to HVAC thanks to family guidance.
After graduating from the Capital City Trade & Tech School in 2004, Jon honed his skills in residential start-ups, warranty work, retrofits and new construction before founding his company. Over the years, he faced challenges that taught him invaluable lessons about business and customer relations. Committed to continuous learning, Jon has earned certifications in HVAC system performance, building science principles, and energy auditing.
Today, Austin Star Comfort Services focuses on diagnosing and correcting unhealthy and uncomfortable homes. If homeowners are chronically ill, uncomfortable or battling persistent odors, Jon identifies root cause and provides a solution.
A Great Handoff Makes All the Difference!
Presented by: Dawn Mroczek, General Manager, GV’s Heating and Cooling, Buffalo Grove, IL
Do your install crews “roll their eyes” when they get the “work order” from sales? Are they getting the right information to help ensure successful and profitable completion of a high-performance system installation or renovation?
The handoff can make or break the quality and profitability of your installations. Dawn will take you through each step of a well-oiled process to minimize frustration, reduce mis-steps, and achieve success for all.
Learn how GV’s sales team and installation teams work together to produce amazing installations.
Read more about Dawn
Dawn grew up in her family business to become the Comfort Specialist at GVs Heating and Cooling in Buffalo Grove, IL. In 2007, she moved into the sales position. She is certified in Commercial Air Balancing, Duct System Optimization, and was recognized as one of the ‘Wonderful Women in HVAC Sales’. She is also the 2020 recipient of NCI’s High-Performance Sales Excellence Award.
“Working in a male-dominated industry has its challenges, but it’s all worth it when we can provide our clients with the best service possible.” At GVs, they don’t just sell boxes – they focus on providing true value for their clients. That’s why they joined the National Comfort Institute in 2010 and started implementing static pressure and temperature testing on every sales call.
How to Educate Customers and Price Profitable Duct Renovations
Presented by: Casey Contreras, Instructor and Coach, National Comfort Institute, Inc., Morristown, TN
Duct Renovations can be tricky. Successful projects begin with asking the right questions while educating the customer about their HVAC distribution system. It’s critical to involve your customer up front and explain in laymen’s terms what is going on with their HVAC system. This will allow you to explore solid improvements based on their needs and budget.
The second critical step is creating a scope of work that is fair to your customer while providing the profit margin you need to make it all worthwhile. If you price it wrong, you can be in for a world of disappointment: Price it too low, and you will likely lose money on the job. Price it too high, and you may lose the sale altogether.
Casey will share his insights and processes that can help you find the right balance to ensure both successful and profitable add-on and standalone duct renovations that deliver on your promise of proven system performance.
Read more about Casey
Casey brings many years of residential, light commercial installation and service experience to his position with NCI. He has been an NCI Instructor since 2015. He entered the HVAC industry through his father’s HVAC company in 2005. The company’s main focus was residential new construction and that is where he learned the basics of installing and commissioning and servicing HVAC systems.
When the market crashed his father decided to change the dynamic of the company to more billable service and add-on-replacement. With the new change in direction, Casey attended extensive sales, customer service, and technical training. He attended numerous NCI classes and became certified in residential and light commercial air balancing, HVAC system performance, duct system optimization, and CO & Combustion.
Since then, Casey has become a top NCI certified instructor for virtually every class NCI offers.
High-Performance Heat Pumps: Reverse Cycle: Putting the Questions First
Presented by: Ty Branaman, Head of Training, GRIT Foundation, Clermont, FL and Adam Mufich, Instructor, Coach, and Curriculum Developer, National Comfort Institute, Inc., Morristown, TN
Whether you love heat pumps or hate them, most people have questions about the things that affect their performance.
In this session, Ty Branaman and Adam Mufich will answer these questions, debunk common myths, and focus on the things that really matter when proving performance. The goal of this presentation is to explore real world realities and discover key factors you should consider when working on heat pumps.
Read more about Adam
HVAC started in Adam’s family with his Grandpa Joe, who was the chief Engineer at several notable buildings in Chicago, including the historic Palmer House Hotel. Adam’s father, Ralph Mufich, started working for Trane’s Comfort Corps in the 1970’s. Ralph opened a residential HVAC company in the early 1990s.
Adam worked for the family business until the year 2012, when the company was sold. This was the birth of A-Team Heating and Air. A-Team aimed to solve their customer’s comfort issues while delivering the best craftsmanship possible.
He holds or has held certifications with N.A.T.E., National Comfort Institute, Geothermal Alliance of Illinois and ACCA. Adam has also been trained by measureQuick, The Energy Conservatory, and Daikin. Adam is a co-host for the HVAC Overtime and Cooler Heads podcast. He works with the social media team at HVAC School and has written for NCI and other organizations.
Read more about Ty
Ty Branaman is a nationally recognized HVAC educator, system performance specialist, and co-founder of National Comfort Institute’s advanced training initiatives. Known for blending building science with real-world field application, Ty has dedicated his career to helping contractors move beyond equipment-focused thinking and toward measurable system performance.
With decades of hands-on experience in residential and light commercial HVAC, Ty specializes in airflow, heat transfer, combustion analysis, and system diagnostics. He has trained thousands of technicians across North America, equipping them with practical skills to identify hidden system problems, improve comfort, and deliver provable results.
Ty is a sought-after speaker at industry events and is known for his ability to break down complex concepts into clear, usable strategies. His teaching style challenges conventional “rule-of-thumb” approaches and replaces them with data-driven decision-making that aligns with how systems actually operate in the field.
NCI’s New Training Center – Beauty is More Than Skin Deep!
Presented by: Bruce Randall, Founder, Standard Air Conditioning, Knoxville, TN and Ben Lipscomb, Director of Engineering, National Comfort Institute, Inc., Morristown, TN
Bruce and Ben will take you through a tour of the various systems incorporated into NCI’s New Headquarters and Training Center just a few miles away in White Pine, TN.
The primary HVAC systems include in-slab hydronic systems with two boilers and ten zones covering the 10,000 sq. ft. facility. A packaged inverter heat-pump system with exposed ductwork conditions in the lab and classroom. Two VRV-S Variable Refrigerant and Volume units are connected to five concealed unit duct systems and five ceiling heads in the office areas and Online training studio.
In addition, both the lab and classroom house multiple test systems including furnaces, inverter heat pumps, and much more. Don’t miss this info-packed session where you will learn about both the challenges and successes in integrating so many systems in this living lab.
Read more about Ben
Ben joined the NCI California gang in 2015. He is an engineer with personnel and project management experience, specializing in commercial and residential HVAC energy efficiency.
His professional experience ranges from energy efficiency program design and implementation, to policy and regulatory consultation, measurement and verification consultation, laboratory and field research, application of codes and standards, and HVAC system Design/Build projects.
Real IAQ Solutions for HVAC Contractors
Presented by: Tim DeStasio, Founder, Comfort Science Solutions, Southport, NC
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the most misunderstood aspects of HVAC in homes. So much has been said and taught about it over the past decades. There’s a lot great information out there. But at the same time, misinformation and misuse of products and applications have lead to many confusing and often band-aid solutions homeowners have been plagued with for years.
Tim will share the correct fundamentals about various air pollutants and how to address them using the 4 pillars of IAQ. He will show you how to distinguish solutions based on science vs gadget marketing.
In this information-packed session you will learn how to apply the correct solutions to real-world jobs and understand the controls, the science, and the sequence of operation.
Read more about Tim
With over 25 years industry experience, Tim De Stasio has been an industrial HVAC technician, a commercial/ residential contractor, instructor, consultant and designer in the HVAC field. Often discovered through his humorous and educational videos on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, Tim is passionate about elevating the ethics and skills within the residential sector of the industry. He also has a strong connection to building science and home performance and teaches how these skills intertwine with HVAC and comfort diagnostics.
Tim De Stasio founded Comfort Science Solutions, based out of Southport, NC in 2023 after selling his contracting business. This new venture is a HVAC Consulting Contracting business that uses testing and building science to make homes more safe, healthy, comfortable and efficient. His social media brand is @timdestasiohvac and Tim is always excited to talk about other ways he can help the industry such as contractor training where he upholds industry standards set by organizations such as NCI, ACCA, ASHRAE, BPI, and RESNET.
The ABC’s (and D) of Refrigerant-Side Performance
Presented by: Luke Peterson, President, Magnolia Home Comfort, Louisville, KY, and Casey Contreras, Instructor and Coach, National Comfort Institute, Inc., Morristown, TN
Problems stemming from poor comfort distribution system often lead technicians to habitually reach for their refrigerant manifolds. This action results in misdiagnosis, increased callbacks, wasted refrigerant, and other system issues that impact HVAC system performance.
In this session, Casey and Luke will cover how to take advantage of lost opportunities and discover the true causes of refrigerant side issues. They will walk you through the ABC’s and D of refrigerant side performance and share basic tests every technician should perform before grabbing their refrigerant manifolds.
This knowledge will help your technicians better serve customers, reduce callbacks, and increase profits by resolving long-standing issues.
Read more about Casey
Casey brings many years of residential, light commercial installation and service experience to his position with NCI. He has been an NCI Instructor since 2015. He entered the HVAC industry through his father’s HVAC company in 2005. The company’s main focus was residential new construction and that is where he learned the basics of installing and commissioning and servicing HVAC systems.
When the market crashed his father decided to change the dynamic of the company to more billable service and add-on-replacement. With the new change in direction, Casey attended extensive sales, customer service, and technical training. He attended numerous NCI classes and became certified in residential and light commercial air balancing, HVAC system performance, duct system optimization, and CO & Combustion.
Since then, Casey has become a top NCI certified instructor for virtually every class NCI offers.
Read more about Luke
Starting his career as an industrial maintenance technician, Luke Peterson began his journey into the HVAC/R industry in 2009 working as a commercial refrigeration technician. As opportunities arose, he gradually transitioned into the comfort heating and cooling side of the industry. In 2018, Luke ventured out on his own and founded Magnolia Home Comfort in Louisville, Kentucky. Driven by a desire to see better performance from HVAC systems, he dove deep into the building science world, focusing on airflow, system diagnostics, and whole-home performance. Today, Luke is committed to continually learning from others while sharing his own real-world experience as a business owner, helping raise the standard for comfort, efficiency, and system performance in the field.
Sorry, Just Venting!
Presented by: Mark Hunt, Instructor and Coach, National Comfort Institute, Inc., Morristown, TN
“Make that hole smaller, make that hole bigger, and don’t even get me started about the cold chimney!”
Combustion air and venting issues can be intimidating, especially when bad information is repeated so often that it starts to sound like facts.
In this session, Mark will show you how to cut through misinformation and diagnose and solve combustion air and venting issues using proven NCI methods and protocols with confidence.
Read more about Mark
I began working in the PHVAC industry in 1983 primarily in residential, new construction as an installation mechanic. I eventually moved into the add on/replacement segment as well as service work. It was during this time period that I took my first Jim Davis combustion course, a course that changed the way I viewed combustion appliances forever. This is also when I developed a passion for hydronic heating systems, steam, hot water and radiant. From 2002 to 2007, I was self-employed, most of my work being in custom homes, designing and installing PHVAC systems, specializing in radiant heating. In 2007 I went to work for a pump manufacturer as their national trainer and spent the next 8 years doing technical presentations to engineers, contractors and facilities personnel. A strong emphasis was placed on the potential energy savings that could be realized using circulators equipped with ECM technology. After leaving the pump company, I went to work for an American boiler manufacturer, again working with contractors and engineers doing both training and field assistance.
Why Test Out? Don’t Just Promise Performance, Prove It!
Presented by: Jayme Carden, Owner, Maximum Performance Housing, Costa Mesa, CA
As a High-Performance HVAC contractor you have invested significantly in the tools and education to diagnose airflow, combustion, and system performance issues, and provide solutions that work.
But are you skipping the final step – testing out? The reasons/excuses we hear are the homeowner is happy, the home is comfortable – everything is working just fine – I know my solution worked, and so forth.
By not taking that final step (which should have been priced into the job) not only are you short-changing the customer, you are also short-changing your team. Think about it. They never really get to see the data that proves the fruits of their hard work!
Jayme will share his company’s test-out process, and how they have streamlined it to make it as fast and efficient as possible for documented, proven results.
Read more about Jayme
Jayme Carden started working in the construction industry in the 1980’s. Since that time, he has worked in all phases of construction from small residential remodels to large scale development projects.
Jayme became involved with HVAC testing and diagnostics in the early 1990’s. The local utility companies were offering incentives to contractors, developers and 3rd party verifiers that were willing to build beyond the current energy codes and prove performance through diagnostic testing. This process was the onramp to the California Energy Commission creating the Title 24 energy codes and the “HERS” compliance process.
In 2001 Jayme teamed up with Industry Legend, Scott Johnson and created Maximum Performance Housing, Inc. This company is still Jayme’s main thrust today. “MPH Inc” works primarily with HVAC contractors as a 3rd party verifier for Title 24 compliance and light commercial air balancing.
NCI, measureQuick and The Energy Conservatory; Test-a-Thon!
Presented by: Jim Bergmann, President and Founder, measureQuick®, Mogadore, OH, Chris Hughes, Director of Sales, The Energy Conservatory™, Oakdale, MN, and David Richardson, VP of Training, National Comfort Institute, Morristown, TN
Learn tips and tricks of using quality test instruments and software to apply NCI’s testing processes directly from top industry experts in this interactive, hands-on session.
Come ready with your questions on how to use these best practices in your company for consistent and repeatable results.
Read more about Chris
Chris Hughes is the Director of Sales at The Energy Conservatory and a seasoned HVAC professional with decades of hands-on experience in system diagnostics, design, and building science.
Read more about David
David joined National Comfort Institute full time in 2010 as a curriculum developer and trainer and now as vice president of training. He has been involved in High-Performance HVAC Contracting™ since 2001. This experience allowed him the opportunity to test, diagnose, and correct many HVAC and Home Performance issues over the past two decades.
In addition, David writes monthly columns for various industry publications to help increase awareness on the importance of HVAC performance testing. David is a regular presenter at many industry conferences working to spread the message of High-Performance HVAC.
Read more about Jim
Jim Bergmann is a nationally recognized HVAC educator, speaker, and industry leader with decades of hands-on experience in system diagnostics, commissioning, and performance-based design. As the President of measureQuick, Jim has helped drive a shift toward data-driven, process-focused HVAC practices that improve system performance, technician proficiency, and contractor profitability.
Jim has trained thousands of technicians across North America and is known for translating complex engineering principles into practical field applications. His work emphasizes first-principles thinking, accurate measurement, and adherence to industry standards such as those from ACCA and ASHRAE.
A former educator and technical trainer, Jim continues to influence the industry through consulting, product development, and his involvement in technical committees. He is passionate about elevating the HVAC trade by helping technicians become trusted professionals and enabling contractors to deliver measurable, high-performance results.