Derek Cormier

On April 21, 2004, as I was about to graduate high school, my teachers looked at me with disappointment—not on the honors list, and not planning to attend college like 90% of my peers. They saw me as just another kid working in the trades, which was often dismissed as a lowly job. But I saw something different. Even during high school, I worked in the trades, and I believed in service and craftsmanship. Wanting to make a real difference, I spent five years as a police officer, helping others and serving my community. Yet, I missed the creativity, the hands-on work, and the pride that comes from building something meaningful with your own hands. Frustrated by the culture of the companies I worked for—poor processes, disorganized systems, low pay, unreliable schedules—I decided to take a leap of faith. I started my own ventures. The first few failed, but giving up was never an option for me. Resilience and grit are in my DNA; I’ve failed more times than I can count, and each setback only made me more determined. That persistence paid off. I founded Climate Experts Air, Plumbing & Electric, and almost immediately, we experienced explosive growth—doubling every year without outside funding, just me and a truck. As I grew, I studied others, learned from their successes and failures, and took what worked to build a business culture rooted in integrity, process, and teamwork. Today, I continue to grow, learn, and lead. But more than anything, I want to give back—because I see my younger self in new entrepreneurs and tradespeople starting out. My mission is to make the trades fun, rewarding, and a true career of pride. Let’s connect—there’s always more to learn, and I’m here to help others succeed.