At Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), we proudly stand behind our commitment to empower women in the HVAC industry, encouraging the next generation of women to make their mark. To celebrate, we spoke with our Vice President of Customer Experience, Heather Buchicchio, who shared her inspiring journey, valuable insights, and advice for women considering a career in HVAC.

A Leader in Customer Experience

Heather Buchicchio has built an extraordinary career in the HVAC industry, driven by her passion for customer satisfaction and operational excellence. With a background in mechanical engineering and business administration, Heather has consistently leveraged her skills to improve customer experiences and operations at METUS.

As Vice President of Customer Experience, Heather is a recognized expert in the U.S. all-climate heat pump market. She brings a strategic perspective to the table, tackling challenges in business development while driving efforts to meet both short- and long-term goals.

Heather's Journey into HVAC

Heather's career was shaped by a mix of interests and opportunities. She initially chose mechanical engineering after a high school aptitude assessment aligned her strengths with the field. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and an MBA from Purdue University. Later, after moving back to the Midwest, she transitioned into HVAC by leveraging her college network and gaining experience at a Chicago distributorship in roles across commercial sales, marketing, and purchasing.

Before joining METUS, Heather was the Managing Principal of Infinity Growth Partners LLC, where she provided marketing consulting services to technical B2B companies. Her diverse background and extensive industry experience have equipped her to excel in her current leadership role.

Over her 10 years at METUS, Heather has held multiple leadership roles in field marketing, channel development, and customer service. One of her most treasured experiences is leading the service parts value stream to support installed products, ensuring that METUS’ brand reputation aligned with the customer experience. This experience reinforced her belief in the power of perseverance and creativity in overcoming obstacles.

Advice for Women Aspiring to Join HVAC

Heather shared that one of the main challenges in her career was moving beyond the idea of a fixed career path.

"There was always this notion that you needed to have a specific timeline or path, but that’s not always the reality," she explained. "Sometimes, you have to take risks and be open to new opportunities, even if they’re in unfamiliar areas," said Heather.

She also pointed out that women often feel the need to be overqualified before stepping into new roles, a mindset that can hold back career growth. Her advice to women considering HVAC careers is simple yet powerful: embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

She didn’t have a formal mentor early in her career but believes in the power of mentorship through observation and feedback.

“I learned a lot just by watching people I admired and being open to feedback,” she said. “Being coachable and asking for advice are key to continuous improvement.”

Heather encourages women to seek out mentors, stay curious, and commit to lifelong learning.

“It’s essential to be willing to take feedback, improve your communication and leadership skills, and never stop learning," Heather added.

The Future of Women in HVAC

Throughout her career, Heather has seen firsthand the underrepresentation of women in fields like HVAC and mechanical engineering — often being the first woman in her roles. However, as the industry evolves, exciting opportunities are emerging, especially in fast-growing segments like all-climate heat pumps, ductless systems, and VRF technology.

With innovations like home automation and the integration of AI into HVAC systems, the industry is becoming increasingly dynamic. These advancements are not only changing how we think about heating and cooling but also opening up diverse career paths beyond traditional roles.

It's an exciting time for women looking to enter or advance in the field. The future of HVAC lies in enhancing conventional systems, embracing innovation, and leading the way in cutting-edge technologies that elevate comfort in people’s lives.

Leadership and Team Building

Heather finds the most rewarding part of her career to be developing people and building teams.

"The most fulfilling thing for me is developing future leaders and seeing their teams grow," she explained. "I love watching them not only succeed but enjoy their work and feel proud of the work they’re doing."

Her leadership philosophy focuses on creating an environment where people feel supported and encouraged to grow. "I try to create a culture where people are excited to come to work, are challenged, and are given opportunities to develop their skills."

Looking Forward

As Heather looks to the future, she remains focused on people development and improving customer experiences. She’s currently leading initiatives aimed at improving customer satisfaction and refining workflows and data quality within METUS.

"My focus now is to continue to develop future leaders and improve processes to create better experiences for our customers," Heather explained.

At METUS, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that enables women to thrive. Companies throughout the HVAC industry can empower women by offering mentorship programs, providing robust training opportunities, and fostering a culture that respects and values every employee.