Some techs know exactly where their HVAC career is headed. For HVAC tech, Jason Gamboa, he didn’t and that’s part of what makes his story so relatable.
“I wasn’t looking to get into HVAC when I did,” Jason told us. “I kind of just fell into it.”
Located in Sacramento, California, Jason started out working for a general contractor, getting early exposure to commercial job sites. When one project wrapped in 2020, he made a simple move that changed everything — he reached out to a mechanical company he had worked alongside.
“I was like, ‘Hey, I’m looking for some work,’” he said. “Went in for an interview the next day, and I was working the following day. That’s just kind of how it happened.”
What started as an opportunity quickly turned into a career he’s fully committed to. And as Jason settled into the trade, his willingness to step up and learn quickly set the tone for what was ahead.
From Sheet Metal to “No Standard Day”
Jason has been in HVAC full time since around 2019, but his growth didn’t happen by accident. “I started off just as a sheet metal installer, but I was always raising my hand,” he said. “Like, ‘Hey, is there more I can do, more I can learn.’”
That mindset opened the possibilities to do more than just installs and service calls, it eventually into the role he thrives in today.
“The way I say it is, I’m an install technician,” Jason explained. “We install big commercial projects but then we maintain our own equipment.”
Ask him what a typical day looks like and the answer is simple: “No standard day” Which is exactly how he likes it, that unpredictability is exactly what keeps him locked in.
One day might mean large commercial installs. The next could be a last-minute service call. “I love being able to just answer any call,” he said.
Behind that versatility, though, is someone Jason credits heavily for helping shape his approach early on.
The Mentors Who Make the Difference
Talk to Jason for more than a few minutes and one thing becomes clear, he doesn’t take his growth for granted.
He’s quick to point out that the support structure around him at EMCI has played a major role in where he is today — starting at the top with owner Zack Jensen.
Jason credits Zack for creating an environment built on trust and opportunity. “He puts a lot of responsibility and trust in me,” Jason shared. That level of confidence early on helped push Jason to step up and continue growing into larger roles.
When it comes to day-to-day development in the field, Jason gives a lot of credit to the person he calls his “sensei”, his foreman, Steve “Doc” Herd.
“My sensei… we call him Doc,” Jason said. “He’s 65, been in the trades for like 40 years, he has taught me really everything I know.”
What stood out most wasn’t just Doc’s experience, it was his willingness to teach. “You can get guys that are gatekeepers of information,” Jason said. “And he’s just never been that way.”
Instead, Doc pushed Jason to learn how to find answers on his own. He would tell me, “the skill you need to learn is to find the information,” Jason said. And more importantly, Doc would ask him, “did you look in the book?”
With Doc preparing to retire soon, Jason is focused on stepping up into more leadership. “Big shoes to fill,” he said. “I really just want to continue to dial in my leadership and organization to manage other guys.”
That focus on growth and ownership shows up in every part of how Jason approaches the trade.
The Mindset That Moves Careers Forward
If there’s one theme that shows up again and again in Jason’s story, it’s work ethic. His advice for anyone entering the trades is straightforward and refreshingly honest:
“Raise your hand for every opportunity.” He credits much of that mindset to his dad and old-school values that still matter on today’s job sites — showing up early, staying organized, and respecting the people around you.
And he doesn’t sugarcoat what happens without it. “People that don’t have a work ethic. They won’t last,” Jason said. “If you don’t have the skills, and you have the best work ethic just be the hardest working guy in the room, and you will go far.”
For Jason, it’s never just been about getting the job done, it’s about doing it right and continuing to level up every chance he gets. That same mindset is what continues to open doors for him across the industry.
AHR Expo: A Turning Point
This year’s AHR Expo in Las Vegas was Jason’s first and it made an impact. “It was a career-defining moment for me,” he said.
What was originally planned as a quick trip turned into three full days of networking, learning, and new opportunities. “Each day, an unexpected conversation, it changes the trajectory of a lot of things,” Jason shared.
It also reinforced something he already believed about the HVACR community: “It’s a tight-knit community. We’re always going back and forth, running stuff by each other.”
Jason is quick to credit others in the space who continue to push the trade forward. He mentioned creators like Blue-Collar Code, who he connects with on large commercial and industrial work, along with HVAC Game, whose educational service content he sees as pioneering in the space. He also gave a shoutout to HVAC Jess, calling her “the sweetest soul” and someone the industry truly needs.
That connection to the community also plays a big role in how Jason approaches his own growing social presence and the standards he holds himself to when sharing content.
Built on Authenticity
Jason’s social presence has grown quickly, but his approach to content is grounded in one simple rule: keep it real.
“I like to make what’s authentic,” he said. “You can tell when somebody was paid to say ‘this is awesome’.”
It’s a mindset shaped not just by his time in the field, but by the creators in the HVACR space who continue to raise the bar. His goal is to build long-term credibility with other techs, not just rack up views, which carries that mindset over directly into the products he chooses on the job.
And when it comes to what actually earns a permanent spot on his truck, Jason keeps his lineup tight.
What Stays Stocked on His Truck
When it comes to Viper products, Jason keeps it simple. “My go-to for maintenance is coil cleaners,” he said.
But on large VRV/VRF commercial installs, one product stands out for him: Nylog.
“With upwards of 100 fan coils, that’s 200 flare connections we have to make,” Jason explained. On jobs with that much riding on every connection, peace of mind matters. “A little bit of added assurance can help you sleep at night,” he said.
It’s that attention to detail and pride in his work that continues to set Jason apart in the field.
Viper Tech of the Month
Jason represents what we love to see in the trades — curiosity, support, strong mentorship, and the kind of work ethic that builds a solid HVACR career.
Congrats to our Viper Tech of the Month, Jason Gamboa!
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