Rachel Davis – President
General Manager and Co-owner, Advance Mechanical
I grew up in the family HVAC business. I have been at Advance Mechanical for over 10 years, and I purchased the company about 3 years ago.
My father founded Advance Mechanical Heating and Air. My first job was to help clean the office when I was about 5. I also remember riding to job sites with my dad. I began to help in the office part-time during high school and college. I came back to work full time about 10 years ago. I have worked in many different industries including insurance, manufacturing, and retail. After experiencing a layoff in the manufacturing industry, I came back to the family business. Every day is different, and I absolutely love the challenge. I think that the trades are a great career and there are excellent opportunities for those who choose to enter them.
Tonya Miles
Work-based Learning Coordinator, Pitt County Schools
I am a National Board-Certified Teacher with a Master’s degree in Vocational Education from East Carolina University. Throughout my career with Pitt County Schools, I have always worked within Career and Technical Education to prepare students for bright futures. I have served as a Business and STEM teacher at North Pitt High School, Career Development Coordinator and now serve as the Work-based Learning Coordinator for Pitt County Schools.
Tim Manning
President, Manning Masonry
Unofficially I have worked in the family business all my life. Officially, I have been at Manning Masonry since 2002.
We are a third-generation turnkey masonry contractor. I worked alongside my grandfather, father, and numerous uncles growing up in Williamston, NC. A little-known fact is that both my maternal and paternal grandfathers were master masons. I supposed I was predestined to be in the masonry business. I am very fortunate to work alongside my father and hope one day I will have the privilege of seeing the fourth-generation flourish in this business.
Clay Griffin
Branch Manager, Pitt Electric
I am a Branch Manager of Pitt Electric, one of the founding Tradesformers partners. I joined Pitt Electric in 2015. Founded in Greenville in 1981, Pitt Electric has grown to almost 300 employees with a geographical footprint of 4 locations covering markets from Charlotte to the coast . We are a proven resource for commercial electrical construction and service in NC. Prior to taking the helm of our Greenville office in January of ’22 I served as a project manager in our construction division. I am an eastern NC native and graduate of East Carolina University.
Patrick N. Jacques – Pitt Community College Liaison
Dean, Construction and Industrial Technology at Pitt Community College
I earned associate degrees from Pitt in welding and Building Construction Technology, began working as a welding instructor at his alma mater in 2005. I was named Welding Technology Department chair in 2015 and also chaired the Computer Integrated Machining Department from 2017 to 2023.I was proud to support PCC’s welding program in becoming the state’s largest with more than 400 students taking classes on campus and — through the PCC-Pitt County Schools Technical Academy — at five high school feeder programs in the county. I am a Greenville native and a D.H. Conley High School graduate.
Matt Hardee
Regional Vice-President, Piedmont Service Group
Matt has been with Piedmont Service Group for four years.
H.B. Moore – Emeritus Member
Retired, Piedmont Service Group
44-years trades business veteran
I entered the HVAC trade the summer following high school graduation as a sheet metal mechanic’s helper at the “new” Rex Hospital in Raleigh. I worked summers around my class schedule at Wake Tech. Upon graduation, I went to work for Piedmont Trane, now Piedmont Service Group. My first nine years were spent as a service technician. In 1990, I was offered a commercial/industrial service sales position in eastern NC. In 1993, I moved to Greenville as General Manager to open our first branch location. In 2000, I became one of our six owners. Today, our Greenville location has 45 employees, and we service and maintain over 300 commercial and industrial locations throughout the east.
Simone Pate – Emeritus Member
Retired, Pitt County Schools
I have spent over thirty years in Pitt County Schools. My roles have included department chair, Special Populations Coordinator, and Career Development Coordinator. The last six years my role was the first Work Based Learning Coordinator for Pitt County Schools. As Work Based Learning Coordinator, I founded the first apprenticeship program in Pitt County that worked with local high school students. I’ve also served on the foundation board for Pitt Community College for many years. As a founding member of Tradesformers, I am extremely invested in the opportunities it provides for students and to expand our workforce.
