At Mechanical Systems Week 2012, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) recognized three “Top Techs” who hold multiple NATE certifications. This month, ContractingBusiness.com is pleased to introduce Terry Maney, field service supervisor, Trade Winds Heating and Air Conditioning, Naperville, IL.
Terry Maney has always liked working with his hands. He was a machinist for 17
years before making a career change to HVAC. “I got in to the industry right after I got my associate’s degree in heating and air conditioning,” Maney explains. “I started out as a service technician and have now been in this industry for 17 years.”
Maney currently holds installation and service NATE certifications in gas heating and gas furnaces. He has an installation NATE certification in gas hydronics and a NATE service certification in gas furnaces.
Maney believes that NATE certification is important because it sets a higher standard for technicians. “It really raises the bar of the technician’s level of excellence and expands their knowledge base,” he says. “By taking the NATE test, it lets the technician know what he doesn’t know.” He also believes that NATE certification gives technicians credibility with customers.
Maney’s advice to new technicians is to learn as much as they can. “Learn about every aspect of the job so you understand it well enough to explain it in a way that a non-technical person can understand it,” he says.
“Getting NATE certified is a good way to prove you know your stuff,” Maney concludes. “It helps broaden your knowledge base. The more NATE certifications you have, the more opportunities you’ll get to move up the ladder from residential service, to commercial and beyond.”
