CFCC Alum Ryan Mattox Comes Full Circle, Partners with CFCC for HVAC Apprenticeships

When Ryan Mattox graduated from Cape Fear Community College’s Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program in 2007, he never imagined that less than two decades later, he’d lead one of the region’s most respected mechanical contracting companies and partner with CFCC to train the next generation of technicians.

An Unexpected Path to HVAC

Born and raised in Wilmington, Ryan’s path to HVAC wasn’t exactly traditional.

“I was managing my dad’s doctor’s office and putting an addition on my house when I needed a heat pump,” Ryan recalled. “I taught myself how to install one out of a book. My dad saw how much I loved it and said, ‘Maybe you should go to school for this.’ I thought he was crazy at first, but he was right. I loved it.”

Although he already holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a master’s in counseling psychology, Ryan finds something unique in HVAC work that spoke to him.

“I liked the objectivity of the machines, and I enjoyed helping people,” he said. “You’re a hero in the summertime when you fix someone’s AC or save a grocery store’s milk from going bad. It’s immediate, tangible help.”

Finding His Place at CFCC

Ryan chose CFCC for its convenience and quickly discovered it offered much more.

“The instructors were so passionate,” Ryan said. “I’ll never forget one of my instructors talking about how much he loved fan motors. I thought, ‘This guy is nuts,’ but his passion was infectious.”

Ryan credits CFCC with opening his eyes to the real depth of the HVAC field.

“The biggest thing it taught me was how much I didn’t know. Cape Fear gave me a wonderful foundation and pointed me toward a much bigger career than I realized. It wasn’t just about installing a few heat pumps. It was an elite science.”

Building a Business on Relationships

After graduating, Ryan launched his business, ThermalTran , out of his garage. He started by installing basic heat pumps for friends and family.

“My business grew through relationships,” Ryan said. “When it comes to business, people do business with people they like. If you can build trust, they’ll tell somebody else.”

That relationship-based approach paid off.

“ThermalTran is 18 years old now, but we’ve only advertised for about four years because we just haven’t had to. We built our company on relationships.”

Giving Back Through Apprenticeships

Ryan is coming full circle by partnering with CFCC to offer apprenticeship opportunities to students starting their HVAC careers.

“I have a huge sense of gratitude. CFCC gave me my start, and I hope students in the program can benefit from what we have at ThermalTran,” Ryan said. “There’s a massive need right now.”

“Only three of every ten tradespeople who retire in the HVAC industry are being replaced. We have to train people.”

For Ryan, supporting apprenticeships is also about helping students discover their passions.

“I tell the guys, what we do is very specialized. I want you to do it to the extent you enjoy it, to where you lose track of time and suddenly three or four hours have passed,” he shared. “I hope students learn something about themselves through this experience.”

Making an Impact

Ryan’s efforts to give back are already making a real impact. Silas Woolard, a current student in CFCC’s HVAC program and an apprentice at ThermalTran, is gaining real-world experience through the partnership.

“I’ve loved being an apprentice at ThermalTran. The environment is great. The people are great,” Silas said. “I’ve been riding around in the van with the team leads since day one. They’ve poured their knowledge into me and taught me skills I can actually use in the field.”

Silas credits the combination of classroom instruction and hands-on apprenticeship for setting him up for long-term success.

“An apprenticeship gives you the tools to go out and succeed on your own. Those lessons stick when a company is willing to invest in you and teach you real skills. Even if you move to a different company or another state, you take all that experience with you,” he said.

“Doing the schooling and the apprenticeship teaches you how to balance your free time, your work time, your school time, all of that. It just teaches you a lot of good lessons.”

Finishing What You Start

While real-world experience is critical, Ryan encourages students to complete the program.

“Getting that diploma shows employers that you can show up and finish something. Entrepreneurs like me want to hire people who finish what they start,” he said.

“The theory you learn in school is vital. Pair the knowledge with the hands-on skills, and you become a complete technician.”

Today, many of the technicians at ThermalTran are proud graduates of CFCC’s HVAC program.

“I can’t imagine hiring someone without that foundational experience,” Ryan said. “And here at ThermalTran, we don’t hoard knowledge. We’re a teaching company, and we’re excited to work with CFCC and help build the future of the HVAC workforce.”