Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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 H...

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 year...

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 op...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Stephen Smith, the force behind the Everything HVACR YouTube channel and a seasoned technician with over 20 years in the trade. From commercial installs to becoming a field support manager at KCC Manufacturing, Stephen has seen it all—and he’s not done yet.

We dive deep into:

• His journey through the skilled trades and HVACR industry

• The importance of mentorship and...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we’re joined by none other than Chris Stephens, the force behind the massively popular HVACR Videos channel. 🎥 From dissecting complex refrigeration issues to being a voice of honesty and transparency in the skilled trades, Chris has become one of the most respected names in the industry.

Host Pat Finley sits down with Chris for a real and raw conversation about:

• The origin and p...

From Farming to Freon: The Refrigeration Journey of Jeremiah Johnson 🚛❄️

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Montana-based refrigeration pro Jeremiah Johnson, who shares his inspiring journey from residential HVAC and construction framing to running his own refrigeration business in rural Montana. 🇺🇸

🔥 Jeremiah talks about:

• How the 2009 housing crash led him to HVAC school at 30

• Making th...

In this icy-cool episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Stephanie Wall from True Refrigerationto dive into the cutting-edge world of True Ice Machines. From R290 refrigerant and antimicrobial plastics to advanced Time-of-Flight sensors and near-instant harvest cycles, Stephanie reveals how True has engineered a smarter, more efficient, and technician-friendly ice machine that’s ready to dominate the market.

We ...

🎙️ Episode Title: "20 Years, 2 Countries, 1 Tech: Aidan Lucey's Journey Through the Trades"

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with refrigeration pro Aidan Lucey, whose 20-year journey in the trade spans two continents. From humble beginnings in Ireland installing 80 mini splits, to chasing down leaks in Canadian grocery stores, Aidan shares how a twist of fate steered him into the trades—an...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Seth Hiler, Technical Trainer at Viega, to explore how Viega is reshaping plumbing and mechanical training across North America.

From the oilfield and coal mines to Colorado State University and now the classroom, Seth brings real-world experience into Viega’s hands-on, technician-driven programs.

🎯 What we cover:

• The evolution and impact of Viega’s press technolo...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Bryan O’Hern, owner/operator of Coyle Appliance Repair based in the South Metro area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Bryan shares his incredible path from aviation mechanic to commercial kitchen lone wolf. After starting in aircraft maintenance, 9/11 changed everything—forcing a pivot that eventually led him into the foodservice repair world. From a stint at Hobart to ow...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley reconnects with Louise Kellar, National Training Manager at UEi Test Instruments and one of the Top 25 Most Influential Trainers of 2025. Louise shares her unexpected journey from retail management to becoming a nationally recognized leader in HVAC/R education and training, while offering valuable insight into combustion analysis, CO safety, and the real-world applic...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and special guest cohost Megan McIntosh sit down with Kelsey Whittenberg — better known as The Spicy Sparky — for an unfiltered, powerful conversation about life, the trades, and building a career from the ground up.

Kelsey became an electrician at 30 with zero experience, two kids, and no plan — just a willingness to learn and work hard. Now five years in, she owns her own elect...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer are joined by Stuart Reiman, senior technician and field supervisor at Hagar Restaurant Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

With over 13 years of experience in the foodservice equipment industry, Stuart shares his incredible journey from managing Tulsa’s longest-running hip-hop and R&B club to becoming a respected leader in commercial kitchen rep...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Michael Plezia to explore his unconventional journey into the trades. From dropping out of high school and working in retail and foodservice, to discovering a passion for HVAC, plumbing, and commercial kitchen equipment repair, Mike opens up about what led him to his current role as a Hobart Service technician.

🛠️ We talk career pivots in your 30s, the challenges of...

🎙️35 Years in the Game: Rusty Parke's Legacy in Foodservice Equipment Repair

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley reconnects with a true mentor and industry legend — Rusty Parke, who has been grinding in the foodservice equipment repair industry for over 35 years. From crawling in attics at age 12 to helping shape companies and careers, Rusty’s story is a blueprint for resilience and growth in the t...

In this inspiring episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we're stepping out of the kitchen and into the world of HVAC! Pat is joined by special guest co-host Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments, and together they welcome rising TikTok star and HVAC advocate Katey, better known as HVACGirlie.

From bartending in a resort town to rocking rooftops and running calls, Katey shares her honest and empowering journey into the skil...

🎙️ From Fast Food to Foodservice Pro: Josh Austin’s Journey in HVACR & Refrigeration

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley sits down with rising HVACR technician Josh Austin—aka @JoshDaBoss on TikTok—for a raw and inspiring conversation about his transition from flipping burgers to fixing walk-ins and RTUs.

Josh shares how he stumbled into the trades, his grind through installs in scorching Texas atti...

🔥Catching Up with David Jones – New Roles, New Perspectives! 🔥

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley and Jason Latimer welcome back David Jones, now serving as Director of Sales and Marketing. David shares how he’s handling the new responsibilities, expanding his team, and navigating time management challenges.

We also dive into his experiences attending recent industry shows, what he's learned, and how h...

This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley welcomes two rising stars in the HVACR social media scene — Matt and Sean, better known as the HVACR DADS 👨‍🔧👨‍🔧. These two techs are not just putting in the work in the field, they’re also using platforms like TikTok to showcase what life in the trades is really like — raw, real, and rewarding.

Matt and Sean share how they got started in the HVACR industry, the challen...