After earning a degree in product engineering, she moved to the U.S. and settled in Florida —drawn by the state’s vibrant HVAC market, and looking for better professional opportunities.

At just 26, she founded her own mechanical contracting business — becoming a licensed mechanical contractor in Florida when she passed the notoriously difficult exam the first time around.

“[That] was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced — and passing that exam on my first try remains one of my proudest accomplishments,” Garcia Massimo said.

She started the business with only $5,000 in capital and grew it into a $1.5 million company within three years, serving high-profile clients like Tesla and Publix. She later served as general operational manager at Global Supply System (which served as the Airzone rep in the U.S.), where she helped elevate awareness and adoption of energy-efficient VRF zoning systems across the region. Her efforts included building out a robust dealer and integrator network across the U.S. and Canada, establishing key channel partnerships, and helping adapt Airzone products for compliance with ASHRAE 15 and California’s Title 24.

Since then, she’s served as ASHRAE Miami Chapter President during the pandemic. In 2021, she was entrusted with the task of launching and establishing Airzone North America from the ground up, which she said, “was an incredible honor and a pivotal milestone in my career.” Her role included building and leading a sales team, developing a network of manufacturer reps and distributors nationally, targeting key OEM partnerships, and strategically positioning the company within the growing home automation and smart home market — objectives that are all still continually successfully achieved while gaining traction across multiple platforms.

“My career goal in the HVAC industry is to become a driving force for the adoption of innovative technologies that reflect my personal commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and responsible electrification,” Garcia Massimo said. “I am especially passionate about bridging HVAC with adjacent industries like smart home, security, and automation — areas where HVAC has traditionally been overlooked but has immense potential to add value.”

She’s also a strong advocate for gender diversity in the trades and is committed to mentoring the next generation of female leaders.

“I want to be part of a new wave of leadership that actively recruits, mentors, and empowers young women to join and thrive in this still male-dominated industry,” Garcia Massimo said.