Before there were algorithms, there were hands.

That’s where Greg Crumpton’s story begins; with a toolbox, a father who worked in HVAC, and a lifelong drive to build what comes next.

In the debut episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Greg, Vice President at Service Logic and host of Straight Outta Crumpton, to talk about the changing face of the trades — and what it really takes to build a career that lasts.

From Apprentice to Executive — and Back Again

Greg learned from his father early on that the trades aren’t just about tools — they’re about people. Four decades later, he’s still driven by that same belief.

As VP at Service Logic, North America’s largest privately held mechanical service company, Greg leads with a simple but powerful philosophy: never stop learning.

His journey has come full circle from apprentice to company owner to executive, and now, as a mentor, he’s helping others find pride and purpose in the work that built his career.

“Our Gen Z workforce needs to be told how they're doing, what they're gonna do next, and what the roadmap looks like,” he says, “If you're not helping youngsters envision the future, it's hard for them to know because they've never been exposed to it.”

The Future of the Trades Isn’t Robots — It’s Relationships

In this episode, Greg and RC explore how technology, especially AI and automation, is transforming the trades, but not replacing them.

From modular data centers to predictive maintenance powered by machine learning, Greg sees technology as a tool that frees people to focus on what matters most: craftsmanship and connection.

Greg’s perspective is both practical and hopeful: the next generation of technicians aren’t afraid of technology, they’re driven by it. The real challenge, he says, is helping them see the why behind the work.

Rebuilding Respect for the People Who Keep the Lights On

Greg’s passion for mentorship and education runs deep. He’s part of a growing movement to bring back the trades—not as a fallback, but as a foundation. Still, it’s a battle. 

“It's a David and Goliath story,” he says. “Goliath is the millions of people we need in the industry, and David are the few people who are out here swinging the machete in hand to hand combat, bringing in kids one at a time, because that's what it takes right now.”

He argues the beginning of the labor gap can be traced back to the decision to take shop classes out of schools.

“Welcoming the trades back into public school? That's the first step. The second, and probably the most critical, step is destigmatizing the trades.” 

A Conversation About Curiosity, Craftsmanship, and Community

“I grew to love the industry of serving people. I didn’t know it at the time. I thought it was just air conditioning service, but it’s really more, it’s deeper than that,” he says.

His story reminds us that progress in the trades isn’t just about innovation — it’s about the people who show up, every day, to keep the world running.

From mentorship to AI adoption, the future of this industry will be written by those who are willing to learn, lead, and lift others up.