For more than 25 years, Rob Cohlan has focused his career on one thing: helping HVAC and mechanical services companies build the teams they need to grow. As founder of HVACEXEC.com, he combines deep industry knowledge with a national network of HVAC, MEP, and building services professionals at every level–from field technicians to senior executives.
Today, employers, private equity groups, and industry leaders rely on Rob when a role is too important to leave to generic staffing firms or job boards.
Career built inside HVAC recruiting
Rob began his career in a traditional recruiting agency, learning the fundamentals of talent acquisition, client service, and candidate evaluation. Early on, he saw that HVAC, MEP, and building services companies needed a more specialized approach than generalist staffing firms could provide.
Nearly 20 years ago, Rob launched his own recruiting practice focused on HVAC and related infrastructure industries. Over the years he has developed a trusted network that spans Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP), energy conservation, building automation, and total building solutions.
Along the way, he has mentored younger professionals who share his interest in helping HVAC and related industry talent advance their careers, reinforcing his role as both recruiter and industry guide.
Credentials and industry recognition
Rob’s perspective on recruiting and business growth is shaped by both hands-on experience and formal education. He earned his MBA from Babson College with a specialization in Entrepreneurship, bringing a strong understanding of owner, executive, and investor priorities to every search.
Over the past decade, Rob has been invited to speak regularly at major industry events and client conferences, including:
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2018 – “Recruitment Best Practices for Your Talent Acquisition Team”
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2019 – “Let’s Build the Team Together – Hiring Manager’s Success Working with a Staffing Agency”
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2021 – “The New World of Remote Employees: Good, Bad or Somewhat Ugly?!”
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2022 – “Staffing Up for 2023 – What Works and Pitfalls to Avoid”
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2024 – “Attracting the Best Talent Possible – What Am I Doing Right and What Am I Doing Wrong?”
- Heating & Refrigeration Institute Annual Conference 2025 – “Staffing Up for 2026 – What Works and Pitfalls to Avoid”
He has also been a keynote speaker on recruiting at Tampa Bay Trane Annual Meetings in 2014, 2016, and 2019. These sessions have focused on practical recruiting strategies, hiring pitfalls to avoid, and how to align staffing decisions with growth plans.
Trusted by leading HVAC and mechanical brands
Rob has been retained for executive-level searches by some of the most recognizable names in HVAC and building technology, including:
- Johnson Controls
- Carrier Corp
- Siemens AG
- Honeywell
- Daikin Applied
He has also completed multiple searches for private equity-backed platforms and fast-growing residential and commercial service brands, such as:
- Southern Home Services
- Friendly Home Services (Friendly Group)
- USA Hometown Experts
- Service Experts
- American Residential Services
This mix of global manufacturers, regional leaders, and PE-backed platforms means Rob understands how talent decisions impact valuation, integration, and long-term growth.
How Rob helps employers succeed
Because his work has always centered on HVAC and related industries, Rob understands the technical requirements, customer expectations, and operating realities behind each hiring decision. He knows the difference between a strong resume and a candidate who can perform in the field, lead a team, or drive new growth in a specific market segment.
For employers, this translates into shorter searches, more qualified shortlists, and better long-term hires across sales, service, engineering, operations, and leadership roles. Rob also works closely with hiring managers and owners to clarify role requirements, define success profiles, and avoid common pitfalls that lead to costly mis-hires.
Private equity firms and owners planning an eventual exit often turn to Rob to help build leadership and operating teams that support their growth and valuation targets.
Supporting HVAC and MEP professionals throughout their careers
Beyond filling open roles, Rob has built his practice around long-term relationships with HVAC and MEP professionals. He regularly advises candidates on career moves, interviews, and compensation decisions so they can make informed choices about their next step.
Rob has also mentored younger professionals entering the recruiting field, sharing what he has learned about serving both employers and candidates in specialized technical industries. This commitment to people is one of the reasons many candidates and clients continue to work with him over multiple roles and growth stages.
The vision behind HVACEXEC.com
HVACEXEC.com exists to give HVAC and mechanical services companies a true specialist partner for recruiting and executive search. Instead of sifting through generic candidate pools, employers can access a focused network built over decades across HVAC, MEP, building automation, energy conservation, and total building solutions.
The goal is simple: connect the right talent with the right companies faster, with less friction, and with a stronger fit on both sides. For employers, that means dependable teams and confident growth planning; for candidates, it means roles where their skills are recognized, valued, and developed.
