Newsline

May 2016 Tech of the Month: Scott Polom

Name: Scott Polom

Title: Lead technician, Wise Heating and Cooling Inc., West Branch, Michigan

Why He’s Tech of the Month: In the 10 years since he joined Wise Heating and Cooling Inc., Scott Polom has worked his way up from helper to lead technician while expanding his knowledge of the HVAC industry through numerous training and educational endeavors.

“When I first met Scott, he was a residential builder in West Branch, Michigan,” said Ron Vittitow, owner and general manager. “As the residential market began to slow down … we started using Scott as a helper on HVAC installs. He began to understand the HVAC equipment and started riding along with me as a service tech helper. It soon became evident he had more than a working knowledge of what a helper should know. After a year or so, Scott was answering service complaints on his own and using me as his tech support.”

Polom said he enjoys working for Wise because of the company’s commitment to training. “Wise believes you earn to learn,” he said, adding that the company offers NATE (North American Technician Excellence), in-house, and manufacturer-supported training. “Education is a lifetime endeavor — if you don’t take advantage of everything you have access to, you will become stagnant. The industry is always changing. It’s important to stay knowledgeable.”

In addition to holding nearly a dozen NATE certifications, Polom is also a certified geothermal loop installer and has tested for and received his Michigan Mechanical Contractors License for heating, cooling, refrigeration, and ductwork, Vittitow said. “Scott is now our contractor of record and has taken on the responsibility of managing all of our permits to ensure they’re all 100 percent compliant. We get compliments from our inspectors on the quality of our work.”

Polom said he does his best to stay informed on the latest technologies and industry happenings. “Trade magazines are an important source of information; I have upgraded the way I do things based on articles and advertisements,” he said. “For example, we are now using ZoomLock tools and fittings for some of our refrigeration installations [because] it saves us time, which relates to higher profits for the company.”

“Scott is self-motivated and dedicated to the industry,” Vittitow said. “He is truly a one-of-a-kind employee who understands the benefits of experience and education.”

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