In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley is joined by returning guest Loretta Mealor from Austin Mealor’s Restaurant Service Equipment Repair — alongside cohost Rich Ortega of On The Rock Services.

The trio dives deep into the CFESA Conference, Loretta’s first year serving on the CFESA Board of Directors, her committee work with CFESA Cares and Education & Training, and the growing impact of technician development programs. Loretta shares her insights on mentorship, technician training, and how she and her team are cultivating the next generation of skilled professionals.

From heartfelt reflections to industry laughs, this episode is full of motivation, leadership, and a genuine passion for moving the foodservice repair industry forward.

💡 Topics include:

• Highlights and key takeaways from the CFESA Conference

• Loretta’s experience as a CFESA board member and liaison

• Technician training, in-house development, and certification standards

• The importance of accountability and communication in the trades

• Building company culture and growing a strong team

This episode is powered by Viper Refrigeration Technologies — the trusted name behind the most advanced cleaners and chemical solutions in the HVACR and foodservice world. Whether it’s their Viper Aerosol Cleaner, Pan & Drain Treatment, or Venom Packs, every product is NSF-rated, safe for kitchens, and built for pros who care about doing the job right.
From coils to condensers, clean it like a pro — clean it with Viper. Learn more at https://www.refrigtech.com/

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and join the conversation that keeps commercial kitchens running!

#CommercialKitchenChronicles #FoodserviceRepair #CFESA #WomenInTheTrades #HVACR #RestaurantRepair #Viper #RefrigerationTechnologies #Podcast #IndustryLeaders

Catch up with Loretta

https://www.austonmealer.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-mealer-amres/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/amresllc/about/

Rich Ortega

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-ortega-61460125b/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

This week, Pat sits down with three incredible women who are shaping the future of the HVACR and foodservice industries — Becca Stamey from Refrigeration Technologies, Jessica Slaughter from RLS, and Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments.

Fresh off their wins at the Women in HVACR Conference, these leaders share their journeys, the meaning behind their awards, and what drives them to keep breaking barriers. From fieldwork and content creation to marketing and mentorship, each guest brings a unique perspective on what it means to make a difference in the trades.

They dive deep into:
🔥 The impact of Women in HVACR and its mentorship programs
💪 Why visibility and representation matter in the trades
🎓 The power of education, networking, and giving back
🧰 How brands like Viper and RLS are helping reshape the industry
⚙️ The importance of embracing new technologies and promoting the next generation

It’s an inspiring and authentic conversation about community, growth, and the passion that keeps the trades moving forward.

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and see why these three truly are Difference Makers.

Becca Stamey

https://www.refrigtech.com/

https://www.instagram.com/beccashotforhvac/

Jessica Slaughter

https://www.rapidlockingsystem.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jessica_rlsmarketing/

Megan McIntosh

https://mechanicalenvironments.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mechanicalenvironments/

https://www.instagram.com/meggomack/

Women In HVACR

https://www.womeninhvacr.org/

Fundraiser through Refrigeration Technologies

https://givebutter.com/builtgentlestilltough

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#CommercialKitchenChronicles #WomenInHVACR #CKCLive #FoodserviceRepair #WomenInTrades #RLS #RefrigerationTechnologies #MechanicalEnvironments #HVACLife

Recorded live at the CFESA Annual Conference at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona, this episode features LeRoy Fearon and Eric Holder from UNOX.

We dive into their paths into the trades, the experiences that shaped their careers, and how they found their way to their current roles at UNOX. They share insights on what drives their passion for the foodservice industry, their commitment to innovation, and the importance of staying hands-on and connected to the field.

We also talk about the new UNOX ChefTop-X oven, exploring how this cutting-edge piece of equipment is pushing the boundaries of technology and performance in commercial kitchens.

Whether you’re an industry veteran, a technician, or just someone who loves seeing how innovation meets craftsmanship, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

🎙️ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast
Stories from the people who keep the world cooking.

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Want to be featured as a guest?

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/want-to-be-our-guest%3F