The Unified Group’s 2026 Service Management Forum brought together over 50 HVACR service professionals for two days of informative panels and breakout sessions. Attendees shared best practices on everything from the structure and logistics of high-performing service teams to balancing field operations, breaking the cycle of old habits and developing strong service supervisors.
James Childers of Intech Mechanical said he learned that many of the challenges HVACR service organizations face are universal, regardless of company size or market, and that consistent fundamentals make the biggest difference.
“The discussions reinforced the importance of clear processes, accountability and strong communication between service, sales and operations,” he said. “I also gained insight into how other leaders are aligning metrics with behavior, not just outcomes, and using structure and consistency to drive both performance and culture.”
Guest speaker Nic Bittle, founder of Work Force Pro, started day one of the forum with a presentation on strengthening the people side of leadership. He boiled this down to mastering four key skills: setting clear expectations, holding others accountable with respect and consistency, delegating effectively to develop emerging leaders and adapting communication to different mindsets for stronger connections and conflict resolution.
One of the biggest takeaways from Bittle’s presentation was learning the difference between leading with a “hungry, humble, smart” mindset and looking at situations with a genuine “help me understand” approach.
In the afternoon, Chris Reiter with A&G Services, Rob Ward with VHV Company and Ramon Santiago with Westbrook Service Corporation gave a presentation titled “Developing Strong Service Supervisors,” which focused on enhancing leadership and team management skills. Michael Hamilton of General Sheet Metal wrapped up day one by discussing his company’s FastField Service App for service technicians.
“The best part of the Unified event, for me, is meeting new people and networking,” Andy Gura of Blauch Brothers said. “Some of the best ideas I have ever received have been at the dinner table, having small group discussions and comparing notes.”
The second day of the forum featured several standout sessions, beginning with two panel discussions, “Balancing the Field: Optimizing Resources and Priorities” and “Creating and Developing a Problem-Solving Culture.” Panelists shared real-world strategies for prioritizing workloads and empowering teams to proactively address challenges in the field.
The day also included two interactive large-group discussions — “Instituting Change: Breaking the Cycle of Old Habits” and “Unique Roles” — led by Andy Gura, our forum MC. These conversations encouraged open dialogue around managing change, redefining responsibilities and embracing new approaches that drive long-term improvement and accountability across teams.
The 2026 Service Management Forum concluded with actionable takeaways attendees can implement in their business operations back home.
“I liked being able to talk with others about positive and negative work experiences and being able to see these experiences from others’ perspectives,” Hannah Kramer of Environmental Systems, Inc. said of the forum. “I learned about the importance of building relationships, as well as different mindsets, and how everyone goes through each mindset at one point or another.”
Upcoming Unified Group Forums include the Annual Meeting and Owners’ Forum and the Sales and Controls Forum. If you are interested in learning more about attending a forum or becoming a member of The Unified Group, contact Janet Kelleher at KelleherJ@TheUnifiedGroup.com.
The post Unified Group Starts 2026 with Focus on Leadership at Service Management Forum first appeared on HVAC Insider.
