Success Story: Herman Pride 

This success story highlights the impact of our programs and the people who make progress possible. For HVAC contractor and business owner Herman Pride, working with Elevate is more than a job. It is a partnership that helps him support families, uplift young people entering the trades, and stay at the forefront of clean energy technology. 

Herman has worked in construction nearly his entire life. His journey began by learning the trades alongside his father, and over time he built a specialized company that provides HVAC, pipe fitting, and sheet metal services. Today he oversees his team, manages projects, and ensures every job meets the highest standards. He also serves as the connection between homeowners and workers, helping projects run smoothly from start to finish. 

Herman first connected with Elevate a few years ago after speaking with program staff who invited him to work on electrification and retrofit projects. The opportunity aligned perfectly with where he believes the industry is headed. 

“Clean energy is the way of the future,” he said. “In order to stay relevant and keep business going, you have to follow the trends. In twenty years everything will be clean energy, so you have to prepare for that now.” 

Through Elevate, Herman has been able to apply his expertise across homes that need critical upgrades, from installing heat pumps to modernizing outdated HVAC systems. These improvements make homes safer, healthier, and more efficient for families across the region. 

One of Herman’s core values is helping the next generation of workers develop the skills they need to succeed. 

He opens his shop to young men and women who want to learn welding, prepare for technical exams, or understand the fundamentals of the trades. Herman sees it as a responsibility to pass down knowledge that has been passed to him. 

“I am not going to be around forever,” he said. “We have to keep these trades going. I want to help the people coming up after me.” 

For Herman, the most satisfying part of his work is simple: the moment a homeowner sees their new system working and feels the difference. 

“It is a challenge to come in, figure everything out, and get it running,” he said. “But once the customer is happy, that is it for me. That is the reward.” 

Satisfied clients often refer him to others, creating a cycle of trust and community support. 

Herman describes his experience with Elevate as smooth, collaborative, and positive. 

“The partnership has been phenomenal,” he said. “They work with you. They are patient. They are a good entity to work for.” 

He also appreciates Elevate’s fast and reliable payment process, which helps him keep his business running efficiently. 

With decades of experience behind him and a strong commitment to clean energy ahead of him, Herman continues to build a business that supports families, strengthens local communities, and creates opportunities for the next generation. 

Elevate is proud to work with contractors like Herman who bring skill, passion, and dedication to every project. 

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