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Demontrez, 28, from Augusta, Georgia, completed the seven-month Refrigeration Technologies program at Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville in October 2025.
Thanks for your time, Demontrez. Did you come to Jacksonville for HVAC school?
I actually came to Jacksonville for love! My fiancée, Maygan, wanted to get into marine conservation down here. She found a good program she wanted to pursue, and I decided to come down with her. We came here three years ago. We actually bought our first home down here.
That’s awesome. And fiancée – do you have a date set yet?
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Not quite. Not yet. We’re still having fun. We’re talking about it, but we’re enjoying the stage we’re in.
So, you’re 28, about ten years out of high school. What were you doing during that time?
I’ve been a security guard for almost a decade. When I turned 21, I became an armed guard. I worked on a lot of different assignments — psych wards, bars, cybersecurity buildings, and even private residences. I also worked on the money trucks with Brink’s, and I worked armed security at a Rolex store.
So, when you moved to Jacksonville, you stayed in that field?
Yes, sir. When I moved here, Brink’s wanted to hire me immediately.
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What got you started thinking about HVAC? Where did that idea come from?
I wanted a skill that would last forever – something I could bring back to my family. I didn’t grow up with anyone in my family who knew HVAC or refrigeration, so I wanted to be that person. I love learning. I’m a student at heart, and I knew with HVAC, I would always be learning. Technology keeps evolving, and the systems keep changing. And I know AI won’t replace us — at least not yet.
When you first considered HVAC, were you thinking of it as a career, or just building a useful skill?
It was kind of both, but honestly, I leaned more toward just having a lifelong skill. Although I could see myself opening my own HVAC company one day, I didn’t go into HVAC school necessarily thinking this would be a ‘career change’.
Did you have any prior experience when you started the program?
I went in completely green, and I absolutely loved everything about it — every single day.
That’s great to hear. What did you enjoy most about the program overall?
The people I met during my journey. The instructors – Mr. Fish, Mr. Rodney – and Ms. Maureen in Career Services, were amazing. They pushed me constantly, they pushed me to the very edge, and I appreciate them for that because without them, I honestly think I would have lost a little focus, but they kept me going.
Did the program come easy to you, or were there days you thought about quitting?
It actually came easy to me. Having those instructors around boosted my confidence a lot.
So, when did your mindset shift from “this is a good skill to know” to “this could be my career”?
When I started thinking about job security. What you can earn, what you can learn, how much you can grow, the benefits, the ability to travel — it all really opened my eyes.
So, where are you working, and how did you land the job?
I’m a maintenance technician with A/C Designs Heating and Air Conditioning here in Jacksonville. I actually started today. Ms. Maureen in Career Services invited me to a job fair at the school in December. She told me I needed to be there, and I made sure I showed up. It was a great time. Ms. Belinda from A/C Designs loved me and hired me immediately to start in January.
What’s your work schedule, and what will you work on?
I work Monday to Friday, and we start at 7.30am and stay until the job is done. The company does commercial, residential, and new construction HVAC. I think I’m going to get a taste of everything.
You were hesitant to switch careers at first because you had to take a pay cut. What got you past that?
It was a hard pill to swallow – I lost $8 an hour – but I knew I had to do what I had to do. When you leave a career that you have a decade of experience in, and start brand new at something else, it’s tough. But I knew that an HVAC career has a better long-term upside than staying in security. It’s short-term pain for long-term gain. But I’m excited, and motivated to work my way back up the pay-scale quickly.
That’s fantastic. Were you working security while you were in school?
Yes, I had two security jobs. School was from 12:45pm to 5:45pm. Then I went straight to work, got off around 4:00am, slept for about an hour, then went to my next shift. It was hard – sleepless days – but I pushed through. It took a lot of coffee, a lot of coffee!
That’s incredible discipline. So, what’s your career plan from here?
I plan on staying with A/C Designs as long as I can. I’m a sponge right now – soaking up everything, all the information, knowledge and skills that I can. Over the next decade, I want to learn as much as possible, and eventually I’d like to start my own company.
What do you enjoy most about the trade so far?
The challenge. I love challenging my mind. I don’t give up easily. And I like the thought of helping people. We serviced nine a/c units at a hotel today, and the customer was excited that we got it all done. Seeing that smile, that’s what did it for me.
Did you make any close connections at school, friends you’ll stay in touch with?
Yes — a guy named Wesley. He was extremely sharp and helped me understand things when I struggled. I actually texted him today to see if I could help him get on with A/C Designs.
That’s great. What advice would you give new students starting at Tulsa Welding School?
Never give up. Love what you do. Don’t get discouraged. Stay focused. Put yourself first. Love yourself.
If you’re a TWS graduate and would like to share your success and be an inspiration to others, please email [email protected] to be considered for a Graduate Connection interview. Please include details such as your graduation date (month/year), program, and campus name (Tulsa/Jacksonville/Houston/Dallas).
