Our partnership with Synergy has always been a key part of our network. Last year, our Founder and President, Ross Stephens, was honored to be featured as a Synergy Partner Spotlight. This year, we're taking the lead and inviting Synergy to be our first guest in our new blog series, "One on One."

We know Synergy well, but for those who don’t, tell us a little about your organization.

Synergy Solution Group is a community of HVAC professionals who share a common vision, drive, and passion for the commercial HVAC industry. Our mission is to help top HVAC contractors build strong connections, develop meaningful relationships, and grow through training and best practices. We currently have 46 member companies across the country and continue to expand.

How long has Synergy been around?

Synergy was founded in 2016, but many of our members have known each other for over 20 years. It’s a group built on trust, experience, and shared goals.

Who started Synergy?

Synergy was founded by Jim Bartolotta and Julie Bishop. When they launched the group, 40 companies reached out and became our founding members. These pioneers helped shape our Synergy Culture Code: Commitment, Humility, Accountability, Fun, Integrity, and Innovation.

The past few years have been tough for everyone, including organizations like yours. How did the pandemic impact Synergy, and what challenges did you face?

The pandemic definitely changed how we operated. With in-person meetings becoming impossible, we quickly adapted by using technology to stay connected. Zoom became our main tool, and it allowed us to continue delivering value and supporting our members through virtual learning and collaboration.

What steps did you take to help your members navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic?

We moved fast to support our members during this time. We created spaces where they could share ideas, especially around handling PPE, keeping teams and clients safe, and finding alternative sources for personal protective equipment. The existing relationships within the group were crucial—members could rely on each other for advice and support.

Many also found that the crisis gave them a chance to connect more deeply with their own teams and understand their needs better. It was a time of growth, not just for businesses, but for people too.

With things returning to normal, what's next for Synergy and its members?

We’re excited to be back in person! Recently, we hosted our Annual Executives Forum in Hawaii, and we’ll be holding our 2022 Service Operations Forum in Charlotte, NC at the end of January. Members are focusing on indoor air quality, building health, and helping clients adjust to post-pandemic work environments.

There’s also a growing interest in niche markets and promoting careers in the HVAC industry. As an essential service, we’re seeing more attention on the importance of our field and the role it plays in public health and safety.

If there was one thing you wanted people to know about joining Synergy, what would it be?

With friends, you are more successful.