Kenton Guidry, HVAC Division Manager at Bannister Plumbing and Air in Jacksonville, Texas, got into the industry about 20 years ago. At the time, he was considering a skilled trade for his career, either electrical work or heating and air work. Heating and air work won. “I thought it was really fascinating,” Guidry says. “And being in Texas, you can’t have enough heating and air guys. There is a big demand.” It also appealed to him because he didn’t want to be confined to an office. “I wanted to do something that was active and hands on, and could hold my attention,” Guidry says. “This is a job that keeps it interesting every day.”
Guidry started his own company—which was an ACCA member—then sold the company and started working for Bannister Plumbing and Air about two years ago. Guidry says he was already familiar with the value that being an ACCA member brings to the table, so he and his boss started discussing the trainings and Bannister Plumbing and Air joined as a Bronze Member in 2023.
Pursuing excellence through Private Training
When Guidry discussed quality standards with the company’s owner, Brandon Bannister, their goal was clear: to be the absolute best in the industry. That ambition led them to pursue private training through ACCA’s Residential Design for Quality Installation (RDQI) course, bringing expert instruction by ACCA manager Ed Janowiak directly to their facility. It was the most affordable and convenient option for the team of 15 to 20 people. Having Janowiak on-site meant they didn’t have to buy 15 separate hotel rooms, plane tickets, and meals.
“The owner said, ‘I want to deliver the absolute No. 1 best quality that we could possibly deliver to customers,’” Guidry recalls. Guidry knew exactly where to turn. “There’s nothing better than getting the people that wrote the books themselves to teach you.”
Easy scheduling
Bannister Plumbing and Air, which provides comprehensive residential HVAC and plumbing services for both new construction and existing homes, made the decision to invest in their team through ACCA’s private training program. The scheduling process proved remarkably straightforward, coordinated through ACCA staff member Maggie Contador. “It was super easy,” Guidry notes. “We basically picked a date and it just took a little bit of email correspondence.”
Having Janowiak lead the training resonated particularly well with the team due to his hands-on industry background. “Ed was a former technician. We spoke the same language, even though he’s from another state and we’re all the way in Texas,” Guidry explains. “It was nice to have somebody relatable give us the instruction.”
Boosting employee confidence and retention
The impact of the training did more than just provide technical knowledge. The employees also got a boost of morale and confidence. Bannister Plumbing and Air frequently hires younger workers who are a good culture fit and trains them within the company. “We find people who like to be challenged, who are enthusiastic, and are not afraid to work,” Guidry says. “Once we feel comfortable that they are someone we want to invest in, we do so and, and we let them know what we’re doing. I think that as far as employee retention goes, they really appreciate that we are investing in their knowledge. Now, I have buy-in for what we do.”
Guidry says the training helps eliminate uncertainty. Other companies don’t invest in training to the extent that Bannister Plumbing and Air has, so when the employees get an assignment, they understand the thought and effort that went into that assignment. And they can proceed confidently with their work and answer any questions that come up, such as explaining why another company may have told the customer to do something another way.
“Instead of having rule of thumb and guesswork, those men are given a lot of confidence into how we do our designs,” says Guidry. “It gives them the confidence to say, ‘This is the best and only way to do this.’”
Investing in the future
Looking ahead, Bannister Plumbing and Air plans to continue their commitment to education through both online refresher courses and additional private training sessions. For companies considering similar investments in training, Guidry offers clear advice: “Do some self-reflection and decide what kind of company you want to be,” he says. Bannister Plumbing and Air sees the value in conducting business from the standpoint of “if you do great things, then you will be profitable,” instead of trying to be profitable as the main goal.
“You can do great things if you invest in your people, invest in yourself, and you want to be the best and do a good job,” he says. “So many companies are doing cheap, fast work. But there are significant advantages to doing things the right way and we’re proof of that.”
This commitment to excellence through education has given Bannister Plumbing and Air a strong foundation for success. As Guidry notes, when customers compare companies, “they want to use the guy who knows what he’s doing.” With ACCA’s training backing their work, Bannister’s team can confidently explain their methods and decisions, knowing they’re following industry-leading practices.
For more information about ACCA’s private training opportunities, visit acca.org/education/private-training.
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