From starting out in a warehouse at just 18 years old to building a career that’s left a lasting mark on the HVACR and foodservice repair industry, Chris Nixon has seen it all. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer sit down with Chris to unpack his incredible journey—from humble beginnings, learning the ropes in residential, to becoming a leader in commercial refrigeration and HVAC.

Chris shares the real-life challenges of finding his path, the lessons learned while running his own company, and the transition into larger teams like Tech 24. With more than two decades of experience, multiple mechanical licenses, and a relentless drive to keep learning, Chris opens up about how to build a career in the trades that stands the test of time.

Whether you’re a seasoned technician, a business owner, or just getting started in HVACR, this episode is packed with inspiration, industry insight, and the kind of stories that remind us why the foodservice repair trade is such a rewarding path.

And don’t miss the laughs along the way—we get into the early days, the obstacles, and what it really takes to succeed in a world that’s always short on techs but big on opportunity.

Here’s a quick tip from our friends at Viper and Refrigeration Technologies: In commercial kitchens, clean coils and evaporators are essential—and Viper’s NSF-registered products are the best choice. Safe, effective, and formulated to keep your kitchen systems running smoothly. Trust Viper to keep you efficient on every job.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Chris Nixon

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nixon-6511a91a8/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#HVACR #FoodserviceRepair #CommercialKitchen #TradesLife #SkilledTrades #HVACTechnician #RefrigerationTech #FoodEquipmentRepair #HVACLife #CommercialHVAC #RestaurantEquipment #TechLife #HVACTools #TradeTalks #RepairLife #HVACCommunity #KitchenEquipment #ServiceTechnician #HVACCareer #FutureInTrades #BlueCollarPride #HVACPodcast #HVACTechTalk

On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Scott Kline — a seasoned HVACR professional with 18 years under his belt in residential installs, commercial HVAC, and refrigeration. Texas HVACR licensed since 2013, Scott now runs his own company, Authentic HVAC, where he blends hands-on skill with the freedom of self-employment.

Scott’s journey takes us from his early days in Snydertown, Pennsylvania, through years of learning the ropes in the field, to eventually taking the leap into running his own shop. Along the way, he’s seen the industry evolve, tackled the challenges of both hot and cold-side work, and built a reputation on doing the job right the first time.

This episode isn’t just for techs — it’s for anyone curious about where a skilled trade can take you. Scott shares insights on what it’s really like to make a living in HVACR, how to keep growing your skills, and why the trades are still one of the most rewarding career choices out there. If you’ve ever thought about getting into the field or know someone who’s on the fence, this conversation could be the push they need.

Scott Kline

https://www.instagram.com/ayetchvacker/

https://www.instagram.com/authentic_hvac/

💡 Pro Tip from our friends at Viper: In commercial kitchens, clean coils and evaporators are non-negotiable if you want your equipment to run at peak performance. That’s where Viper’s NSF-registered cleaning products shine. They’re safe, powerful, and engineered to blast through the grease and grime found in busy foodservice environments. Keep your refrigeration and HVAC systems efficient, extend equipment life, and avoid costly downtime. Trust Viper — the name pros rely on for professional-grade kitchen system maintenance.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Want to be a guest?

Pat@commercialkitchenchronicles.com

#CommercialKitchenChronicles #HVACR #TradesLife #HVACTech #RefrigerationLife #CareerInTrades #ViperProducts

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Cody Robinson of AmeriServe — a rising force in the foodservice repair industry. Cody’s journey started behind the scenes as a dispatcher just four years ago, and now he’s leading the charge in operations and shaping the future of the industry through his role as co-chair of CFESA’s Young Professionals Committee.

We talk about:

• His rapid rise from dispatcher to operations and warranty management

• Lessons learned working on a farm and how they apply to service leadership

• The importance of technician advocacy, mentorship, and involvement in CFESA

• Balancing career growth with life on the farm with his wife, kids, and a whole crew of animals 🐐🐓🐴

• Why the next generation needs to step up—and how he’s working to make that happen

Cody shares candid reflections, a few laughs, and a ton of insights for those looking to grow their careers in foodservice or any skilled trade.

👉 Whether you're a tech, a leader, or just curious about the industry, this one's got value start to finish.

Brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies

🔥 Pro Tip for Commercial Kitchen Pros! 🔥
Brought to you by our friends at Viper HVAC Cleaners — when it comes to keeping your commercial kitchen equipment running at peak performance, clean coils and evaporators are non-negotiable.
That’s where Viper’s NSF-registered cleaning products come in! 🧼
They're safe, powerful, and specifically designed to tackle the grease and grime found in busy foodservice environments. Keep your refrigeration and HVAC systems efficient, extend equipment life, and avoid costly downtime.
👉 Trust Viper — the name the industry relies on for professional-grade kitchen system maintenance.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Follow Cody here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-robinson-1b175592/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Want to be a guest?

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

#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#FoodserviceRepair
#SkilledTrades
#CFESA
#YoungProfessionals
#ServiceIndustry
#TechsOfInstagram
#FoodEquipmentRepair
#TradeCareers
#MentorshipMatters
#RisingInTheTrades
#DispatcherToLeader
#WarrantyLife
#OperationsManagement
#FarmLifeAndFoodservice
#IndustryGrowth
#ServiceTechLife
#FutureOfTheTrades
#TechnicianTalk
#PodcastForTechs