Q. What do you enjoy the most about working with our customers?
A. I am fascinated by the stories our customers tell. Hearing those stories is one of the things I enjoy most about working with our customers. Especially those related to air conditioning because a majority of the general public doesn’t understand the logistics behind the air conditioning in their buildings.
When we first start working with some of our customers, they have no idea what it will entail to address their system needs and then they are always blown away by the amount of effort that we put into making their buildings cool.
Q. What do you bring to the table that helps you better meet our customer’s needs?
A. I find that the empathy I bring to interactions with our customers helps me effectively meet their needs. I have a very strong sense of empathy, so I can really tell what our customers are feeling, and that helps me connect with them and understand their needs. I am good at meeting those needs and helping them achieve their goals.
Q. How have you seen representation for women in construction change over the years?
A. Nowadays I see more and more women in construction. I would love to see more women at the decision-making table in the future because most of them are not yet in these roles in the industry.
Women belong in construction because we can really help the workplace become more effective as well as more fun. Women can be especially good at caring for others, and right now that is what employers need to be doing. When people feel cared for, they enjoy their work more.
Q. What is your motto to inspire others to share your optimism, engagement and pride in being an employee here?
A. I always say, “Trust in our people.” I honestly believe that Trane Technologies only hires people with integrity, and when we are facing challenges. our employees rise to the occasion and move mountains for us to be able to keep our promises to our customers. I have seen some tremendous collaboration and self-sacrifice by our people over the years, and I think we are truly committed to our customers and their needs.
I also like to inspire people by helping them understand the impact that improving energy efficiency can have on our world. I like to remind people when I attend recruiting events as part of my work that nearly every building you have ever been in has a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in it.”
I tell them “If you add up all the energy usage in buildings, HVAC systems account for 40 percent of it! If we can reduce the energy use in buildings — which is a key goal for Trane and Trane Technologies — we can lower the energy intensity of the world and help to reduce climate change.” Their eyes light up, every single time I help them make those connections. It is this huge moment where they think I am the coolest person at the career fair.
Q. What excites you the most about being a part of Trane and Trane Technologies?
A. The most exciting thing for me about being part of this organization is reflected in our 2030 sustainability goals which include diversity and inclusion (D&I) goals. These goals make me feel I am working for a company that truly wants to make the world a better place. I understand that we are an energy service provider company, but I still believe that we are also trying to make the world better.
The commitment that Trane Technologies has made to diversity and inclusion includes a commitment to employee resource groups that nurture an inclusive environment where people can bring their whole selves to work.
As the chair of our Florida Women’s Employee Network (WEN) employee resource group, I am passionate about creating a supportive and empathetic culture within our internal work teams at Trane. I am fortunate that Trane shares this goal and offers a wealth of knowledge about this and other related topics through its D&I educational efforts. I am hopeful that through our inclusive culture we can continue to attract and retain top talent for our region and our company as a whole.
Q. What are you looking forward to in 2022?
A. In 2022, I am looking forward to sharing the benefits of our advanced solutions with customers. We are seeing the market shift away from disposable, inexpensive solutions to more efficient long-lasting systems. More and more, owners are starting to care about their energy use and want to make sure that their systems help them reduce it when possible.
I am also excited that the next generation is growing up in a world where there is an increased focus on energy efficiency. As they learn about energy and how best to use it, it’s really fun to learn everything all over again through their eyes. And their enthusiasm for taking care of our planet makes me hopeful for a better future for all of us.
Trane is a strategic business of Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator. Trane Technologies brings bold thinking to our customers to advance the conversation on sustainability and achieve more through sustainable climate solutions for buildings, homes, and transportation. We're leading the way to a better future, and we boldly go.
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About the author
Kelly Maniar, Account Manager - Systems
Kelly Maniar, LEED AP, is a systems account manager in Orlando, Florida. With 17 years of experience working for Trane, she reports that she has “sold every product Trane makes!” Prior to joining Trane, Kelly served in the US Navy for seven years where she worked as a Cryptologic Technician onboard USS Gonzalez, serving two deployments in the combat information center with the Navy's 6th fleet Intelligence operations. During this time, she also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. After joining Trane in 2005, she learned the ropes with her initial accounts and successfully managing them, now she focuses primarily on serving educational and the Space Coast customers; Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral/Patrick Space Force Base. Kelly is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional.