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Women in HVAC: Pioneering Change in a Male-Dominated Industry

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton speaks with Gwen Smothers about the growing role of women in the HVAC industry. Smothers shares her 25+ years of experience in business systems and operational efficiency, and discusses how mentorship and inclusive practices can help attract and retain more women in skilled trades. The conversation also covers the business and operational side of HVAC, beyond traditional fieldwork.

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By Vince Holland · · Greg CrumptonGwen SmothersPiedmont Service GroupService Logic
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Key takeaways

01

Women are increasingly entering the HVAC sector, driven by rising college costs and strong demand for skilled labor.

02

Mentorship and intentional inclusion initiatives are key to bridging the gender gap in the trades.

03

Operational efficiency and business systems integration are critical, often overlooked dimensions of the HVAC industry.

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The HVAC industry is evolving, and with it, the roles within the sector are expanding beyond traditional boundaries. Amid rising tuition costs and strong demand for skilled labor, young people are increasingly choosing trade schools over a traditional college education. With such a shift highlighting the need for a more diverse workforce, the questions remain—how can the HVAC industry attract and retain more women in the workforce? How can we further support and promote women in HVAC?

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton sits down with Gwen Smothers, a leader in the push for more women in HVAC. From managing complex business operations to mentoring the next generation, Smothers shares her insights on what it takes to create an inclusive and thriving HVAC workforce.

Key takeaways from the episode:

The Expanding Role of Women in HVAC: Gwen Smothers discusses her leadership in the industry, her involvement with Service Logic, and how she works to improve business processes across multiple divisions.

Bridging the Gender Gap in Skilled Trades: The conversation highlights the growing number of women entering the HVAC sector, the importance of mentorship, and initiatives aimed at breaking down traditional industry barriers.

The Business Side of HVAC: Smothers emphasizes how operational efficiency and system integrations are just as critical as fieldwork, reshaping the industry’s approach to service and customer relations.

Gwen Smothers is an experienced Business Systems Implementation Manager with over 25 years of experience at Piedmont Service Group, specializing in accounting processes and operational efficiency. She also serves as an Implementation Manager at Service Logic, where she plays a key role in integrating business systems across multiple divisions. Her expertise lies in streamlining workflows, improving system adoption, and driving efficiency in the HVAC industry.

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Vince Holland
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About the Experts

VH
Vince Holland

Host, Straight Outta Crumpton

Greg Crumpton is the host of Straight Outta Crumpton, a podcast focused on the art of networking and relationship-building in business services. He is a veteran of the skilled trades and HVAC industry with decades of experience in building professional relationships. Crumpton uses the show to connect with influencers across business services, facilities management, and the trades.

GS
Gwen Smothers

Business Systems Implementation Manager

Piedmont Service Group / Service Logic

Gwen Smothers is an experienced Business Systems Implementation Manager with over 25 years of experience at Piedmont Service Group, specializing in accounting processes and operational efficiency. She also serves as an Implementation Manager at Service Logic, where she integrates business systems across multiple divisions. Her work focuses on streamlining workflows, improving system adoption, and driving efficiency in the HVAC industry.

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