Thermal energy networks are gaining policy and regulatory momentum across the United States as a primary pathway for building decarbonization.

Across industries, fast and complete adoption of AI is dominating conversation. The problem with speed is it often creates noise, duplicate tools and a workforce that feels like change is happening to them instead of with them.

At the time of this writing, we are about one month removed from the 2026 Fab Forum hosted by The Hill Group in Franklin Park, Illinois. Hill is a full-service mechanical contractor that includes fire protection, testing/adjusting/balancing and an architectural group.

The thermostat has always occupied an odd place in the HVAC world. Crucial to system performance, yet easily ignored as just another commodity item to the homeowner and financially unremarkable to the contractor.

A few years ago, we had water seeping up through our driveway. Given my career history, I like to think I know a little bit about plumbing, but this was a mystery. It happened every time it rained, but the seeping water lasted for days after the rain stopped.

Speaking recently at the graduation ceremony at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told graduates that their talents would be in high demand as American technology companies continue the rapid buildout of data centers, semiconductor manufacturing and other projects related to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence.

Every plumbing contractor knows what it’s like to have a technician who stands out from the crowd on day one, immediately demonstrating immense talent and limitless potential. 

If you search the Internet for the definition of the word “business,” you’ll find a version of this idea: “Business is an organization that provides goods and services to the community in exchange for money, with the goal of becoming profitable.”

It always cracks me up at the start of a deposition when one of the lawyers says to me, or another lawyer, “Usual stipulations?” What on earth are they talking about? There is no such thing as “usual stipulations.” 

It’s hard to move forward toward the future without understanding our history and where we have been. In 1776, America declared its independence from England and, in doing so, defined freedom in a way the world had never known before.