Amanda Zink
What caused you to/when did you enter the HVACR industry?
I had just graduated from college and was planning to move to Phoenix to get into the insurance industry. My plan was never to be part of the trades industry. However, my father approached me about coming to work for him over the summer. I agreed — but on the condition that I would not stay longer than the summer. That was 18 years ago. I would not change a thing if I could go back to that day. It has been one of my greatest honors to not only work with family but to also be part of this industry.
Describe the proudest moment in your career.
This is hard. There have been so many proud moments along the way (opening a training academy, joining the Nexstar BOD). Each year is filled with them. One that always resonates with me is when we have team members that have children, and their children say they want to come work for Air Control when they grow up. When I think about that, I know we are doing something right.
What challenges do women face in this profession?
It’s changing, but I think one of the harder things is sometimes being one of the only women in a room full of men. I have never had any issues with being a female as far as feeling like men were placing judgement or being disrespectful, but it can sometimes feel lonely and/or feel like you are missing the relatability that having a fellow female brings.
How can we increase the number of women in HVACR?
Honestly, I think the biggest thing is just getting the word out about what the industry can offer and changing the stigma around it. There are a lot of awesome women doing big things. I also think that having women in leadership positions helps attract more women to the trades. We have women in many different positions within our company, and they are all doing a phenomenal job.
What does your day-to-day job entail?
No day is the same. That’s part of what I love about my position/the industry. Largely, though, my day is spent building relationships with the team, looking for ways we can improve or progress forward, analyzing numbers, answering questions, and generally just making sure we are staying on the right path.
What remains on your HVACR bucket list — what do you aspire to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?
Personally, I would like to be on a podcast. I’m terrified of it, so I want to force myself to step outside my comfort zone and push through that fear. As a company, adding a second location is on my bucket list as well as some specific revenue goals.
What words of advice do you have for females who are considering entering the HVACR field?
Do it. I truly believe this is such a rewarding industry. Don’t let the belief that it is a man’s field limit you. There are so many different avenues of work and positions within the trades. And, quite frankly, the trades need you.
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