Why He’s in the Spotlight: Valentino Valeriani is one of two technicians at Valeriani Air Conditioning in Naples, Maine — the other being his wife and business partner, Jennifer Manzo. Valeriani handles installations, after-hour calls, half the company’s back-end work, and half of all business-hour calls. And he wouldn’t change a thing. 

His HVAC journey began at 16, when the small HVAC company his brother worked for needed extra hands. For two years, the two of them installed complete HVAC systems for a chain of convenience stores, handling everything from ventilation and walk-in coolers to gas and refrigerant lines. 

“It was a great start to the industry,” Valeriani said.  

But that all ended one morning when they arrived at work and found a note: The company was closed. The owner had decided to retire. He offered to sell it to the boys, but at that age and at that point in time, it just wasn’t in the cards. Valeriani’s brother moved on to a large commercial/industrial company, while Valeriani took some time off.  

A year later, needing to support his family, Valeriani reached out to the same company his brother now worked for. They didn’t have any openings.   

“But I was desperate to get my foot in the door and show them I knew what I was capable of and could be valuable to their company,” Valeriani said.  

Eventually, they offered him a night cleanup job — with one caveat: He was only to clean. 

On his first night working the cleanup shift, Valeriani did exactly what he was hired to do — until a foreman struck up a conversation. After inquiring about Valeriani’s life, the foreman learned he had two years of hands-on HVAC experience.  

“He looked at me like, ‘Why are you just cleaning, then?’” Valeriani said.  

Valeriani told him what he was hired to do. The foreman said not to worry, he’d take care of it, and immediately put Valeriani to work. He still cleaned up after each phase of the job, but now contributed in the field. 

That same night, the general manager who had hired him visited the jobsite and saw Valeriani working. He looked at him — but said nothing. 

It didn’t take long for Valeriani’s skill, work ethic, and seamless collaboration with his brother to stand out. Just like that, his career in the commercial and industrial side of the HVAC industry was underway. 

He spent five years as a sheet metal helper before becoming a foreman. Three years in, Valeriani decided he wanted to do more than just sheet metal. So he transitioned into mechanical installation. 

For the next 13 years, Valeriani worked as a foreman mechanical installer, but he still wanted more and decided to try his hand at the service industry, where he found a whole new love for repair and troubleshooting.  

“It has a different glorification to it when you can figure out why something isn't doing what it should,” Valeriani said. “The best part, I think, is making the customer happy and seeing the smile on their face when you're able to help them out.” 

Two years later, he opened his own company — and hasn’t looked back. 

“I was determined to make it,” Valeriani said. “So far, so good.”  

What keeps him in this industry is the evolving technology, continuous learning, and the everlasting demand for the trades. 

“Val is a selfless, incredibly hard-working human. … He's one of the most knowledgeable technicians I've ever met, and I am just ridiculously proud to have been trained by him,” said Manzo, who is owner/operator/technician at Valeriani Air Conditioning.  

Manzo said he’s also a hydronics and pipe fitting master — one of the few in Maine who can move seamlessly between mini-splits, walk-ins, and industrial steam boilers every day, without issue. 

He’s also a father of six, and a grandfather of one. 

“Two of my children are fosters who we have had for over 10 years now,” Valeriani said. “I fathered three of my children and fell in love with another when I met her beautiful mother. … I love them all like they're all my own. They are the biggest reason I do what I do every day.” 

Advice to Future Techs:  

Valeriani’s advice for newer technicians is to always keep an open mind and embrace learning.  

“Always seek knowledge and ask for help if needed,” said Valeriani. “There are many great resources out there to help them be successful in their careers.” 

One of those resources is the HVA-Chicks Coalition, a group that helps new technicians find work and offers a mentor/mentee program. Valeriani volunteers on the coalition’s tech support line twice a week and also serves as a mentor. 

“My final piece of advice is don't give up,” Valeriani said. “This trade can get tough or frustrating, but there is help out there when needed.” 

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