In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Rich Ortega sit down with John Faust, President & CEO of Troubleshooter Mechanical Services and Electro Freeze of the Carolinas.
John’s journey is one of grit, service, and leadership — from his days in the U.S. Air Force avionics systems to a career in IT for Hilton Hotels, and eventually taking over the family mechanical contracting business that’s been running strong since 1989.
With over 30 years in the HVACR and commercial kitchen repair industry, John shares his story of stepping away, coming back after 9/11, and rebuilding the family brand stronger than ever. He talks about what it’s like to lead a team that services chain restaurants, government facilities, and major commercial kitchens, while also managing the exclusive Electro Freeze distribution for North and South Carolina — providing premium frozen dessert equipment to big names like Sonic, Arby’s, and Whataburger.
You’ll hear about:
• The lessons learned from balancing leadership and family legacy
• How Electro Freeze supports technicians and listens to real-world service feedback
• The evolution of HVACR and foodservice repair over the decades
• Why integrity, attitude, and hands-on leadership matter in this industry
• His thoughts on training, technician development, and the next generation of tradespeople
Plus, we dive into funny field stories, the importance of hiring for attitude over skill, and how to adapt leadership for today’s technicians.
🎧 Tune in and learn from one of the most respected leaders in the Carolinas — a man who’s done it all, from janitor to president.
—
🧪 Powered by Viper – Refrigeration Technologies
From coil cleaners to chemical solutions, Viper products are built by techs, for techs. Trusted across the HVACR and foodservice industry for safe, NSF-rated cleaners that keep systems running clean and mean.
To learn more about John Faust
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-faust-83674888/
🎧 Want to dive deeper into the world of foodservice repair? Check out CommercialKitchenChronicles.com — the home for all our latest episodes, industry blogs, training resources, and gear we use in the field. It’s your one-stop shop to stay connected with the community that keeps commercial kitchens running!
#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#FoodserviceRepair
#HVACR
#Refrigeration
#HVACPodcast
#RefrigerationPodcast
#CommercialKitchenRepair
#FoodEquipmentService
#HVACTechnician
#RefrigerationTechnician
#ElectroFreeze
#TroubleshooterMechanical
#JohnFaust
#HVACLeadership
#FamilyBusiness
#RestaurantEquipmentRepair
#HVACLife
#RefrigerationLife
#BlueCollarStrong
#TradesmanTalk
#SkilledTrades
#ViperProducts
#RefrigerationTechnologies
#MadeByTechsForTechs
#ElectroFreezeOfTheCarolinas
#HVACTraining
#TechTalk
#CommercialService
#HVACIndustry
#ServiceTechnician