What if the kid who barely made it through high school…
ended up working on rack refrigeration systems, cascade units, and even equipment supporting F-15 fighter jets?

Yeah… that’s this episode.

On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, I sit down with Mike Folta—a technician with 16 years of real-world experience in commercial HVACR and foodservice equipment repair who proves you don’t need a perfect start to build a serious career in the skilled trades.

Mike’s story isn’t polished.
It’s not textbook.
And it definitely isn’t what most people think success looks like.

He walked the graduation stage… and still had to go back to summer school.
No formal trade school.
No institutional training.

And now?

He’s:

• CFESA certified (multiple times)

• Working toward Master Certification

• A former Subject Matter Advisor for Interplay Learning

• Experienced in everything from commercial kitchen equipment to rack systems, cascade refrigeration, and advanced testing equipment most techs will never touch

So here’s the real question…

👉 Do you actually need trade school to succeed in HVACR and foodservice repair… or are we lying to the next generation?

We get into:

• The truth about learning in the trades without formal training

• What separates average techs from elite ones

• Rack systems and cascade systems (and why they intimidate so many techs)

• The reality of leveling up in commercial HVAC and refrigeration

• How this industry can completely change your life—if you let it

This episode is for:

✔️ New techs trying to figure it out

✔️ Experienced techs stuck in a rut

✔️ Anyone thinking about getting into HVACR or commercial kitchen repair

✔️ Anyone who’s ever been told they weren’t “cut out” for success

💥 If you’ve ever doubted yourself… this one’s going to hit.

This episode is brought to you by the Viper crew over at Refrigeration Technologies—the same products a lot of us are using every single day in the field.

From coil cleaners and ice machine cleaners to Big Blu and Nylog, their stuff is built for real techs doing real work. NSF rated, jobsite proven, and it flat out gets it done.

If you’re not running Viper in your van yet… you might be making your life harder than it needs to be.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

What do you think?

Do you NEED trade school to succeed in HVACR…
or is experience the real teacher?

👇 Drop your take, share this episode with another tech, and let’s get the conversation going.

Mike Folta

https://www.tiktok.com/@kades_cards

https://www.instagram.com/kades_cards490/?hl=en

Check out the latest on our website

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

In this special in-person episode of the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, recorded at the headquarters of Parts Town, I finally caught up with John Warpinski, the Senior Director of Customer Partnerships – HVAC at Parts Town.

John brings a deep background in the HVAC industry, and in this conversation we dive into his journey through the trades before stepping into his leadership role at Parts Town. From the field to the business side of the industry, John shares the experiences that shaped his perspective on HVAC service, technician support, and building stronger partnerships across the trades.

We break down what Parts Town is doing for the HVAC community, how they’re supporting contractors and service technicians, and why their approach to OEM parts distribution, supply chain logistics, and technician support is making a real impact in the field. If you’ve ever wondered how a company like Parts Town works behind the scenes to keep restaurants, commercial kitchens, and facilities running, this episode pulls back the curtain.

John also shares real-world stories about how fast parts availability, strong manufacturer relationships, and industry partnerships help technicians solve problems faster and take better care of their customers. From emergency repairs to keeping mission-critical equipment running, the discussion highlights how the HVACR and foodservice equipment repair industries rely on strong collaboration between technicians, manufacturers, and suppliers.

This episode is packed with insights on:

• The evolution of the HVAC and HVACR service industry

• How Parts Town supports technicians and contractors

• The importance of OEM replacement parts and fast parts distribution

• Building partnerships that strengthen the skilled trades community

• Supporting technicians who keep commercial kitchens and facilities operational

If you’re a service technician, HVAC contractor, refrigeration tech, or foodservice equipment professional, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the right partnerships and resources can make your job easier in the field.

At Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, our mission is to shine a spotlight on the technicians, innovators, and industry leaders who keep the equipment running and the industry moving forward.

🎧 Listen in as we sit down with John Warpinski at Parts Town and talk about the future of HVAC, technician support, and the partnerships that power the industry.

https://www.partstown.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

In this episode of the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles podcast, Pat Finley and Rich Ortega sit down with Matt Golden and Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments to talk about one of the most specialized corners of the mechanical industry — HVAC systems for cannabis cultivation facilities.

Grow operations are a completely different animal when it comes to mechanical systems. Temperature, humidity, airflow, and environmental stability are not just about comfort. They directly impact plant health, yield, and profitability. One wrong variable can cost a grower serious money.

Matt and Megan walk us through what it takes to design, install, and service HVAC systems in controlled environment agriculture. From dehumidification strategies and airflow management to the challenges of scaling mechanical solutions for cannabis facilities, this conversation dives deep into a niche that is rapidly growing across the HVAC and mechanical contracting world.

Megan also shares her journey in the trades after being named Lady of the Trades at the HVAC Tactical Awards, and what it takes to earn credibility in a highly technical and demanding sector of the industry.

This episode is packed with real-world insights for HVAC technicians, mechanical contractors, and anyone interested in specialized HVAC design, controlled environment agriculture, and building a niche in the trades.

And a big thank you to Viper from Refrigeration Technologies for supporting the show. Whether you're maintaining commercial kitchen equipment, servicing refrigeration systems, or working in precision climate environments, Viper products are built for technicians who demand reliability. From Nylog sealants to coil cleaners and system maintenance products, they help keep systems operating the way they should in the field.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

If you're looking to level up your HVAC knowledge, understand the business of specialized mechanical contracting, or explore how controlled environment systems are shaping the future of the trade, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

https://mechanicalenvironments.com/

https://linktr.ee/mechanicalenvironments?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/