Matt Howard, PE
President
Matt Howard started in the HVAC industry as a young man at the age of 16. Working as a residential HVAC helper for Griffin Heating and Air in Statesville, NC. Matt worked for this company each summer and after school until he graduated from college in 2000. From 1996 until 2000 he obtained a BS of Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Economics from NCSU. In July 2000, Matt joined the Jacksonville Trane team as sales engineer. While working for Trane, Matt provided engineered mechanical solutions to owners throughout the region. Also, he qualified for and tested to earn his Professional Engineering certification. In 2010, Matt joined MSS where he held many positions and eventually earned the role of President and helped MSS open offices in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville South Carolina, as well as offices in Raleigh North Carolina.In the spring of 2018, Matt left MSS and took some time to travel the US with his family before joining Service Logic as the President of National HVAC. This role quickly expanded into a Regional Group President managing ten companies across nine states. In January 2021 Matt and his partners acquired Climate Systems, Incorporated from Steve Warren. Matt will continue forward as the President of Climate Systems.
- Education Includes
- BSME NCSU
- Trane Graduate Training Program
- MBA Wake Forest University
- Qualifications:
- H1, H2 and H3 Mechanical License
- Unlimited Electrical License
- Plumbing License
- Professional Engineer License (NC and SC)
Paul Drinkwater
Vice President
As Vice President, Paul’s goal is to make sure that Climate Systems produces quality HVAC and mechanical work for its customers. This includes work for general contractors, owner-direct turnkey projects, as well as ongoing service and maintenance for installed systems. Paul has almost thirty years experience in mechanical construction and service. He began his career in Ohio as a service technician, where he repaired and maintained industrial and light commercial systems. After eight years, he transitioned to owner-direct sales with Trane. After several years at Trane, Paul built a high performing service group from the ground up at a national OEM. He grew the division to a total of thirty skilled service technicians, but the sunny North Carolina skies proved too blue to resist, and five years ago, he and his wife, Beth, relocated to the Charlotte area. In Charlotte, Paul served in multiple roles at MSS Solutions. He lead its critical facilities group before accepting a role to lead its service sales efforts. This included both leading / mentoring multiple salespeople and working with the operations department to improve how the company delivered on its promises.Paul is excited to help Climate Systems become the first choice for building owners and contractors seeking dependable workmanship and technicians who are passionate about delivering quality service.
Bill Manchester
Vice President, Pre Construction
As Climate Systems Vice President of Pre-Construction, Billy leads the pre-construction team and facilitates collaboration between project teams to coordinate the best solution for each general contractor and owner. Billy listens to the client’s specific needs and supplies predictable and reliable estimating, planning, and scheduling to set the entire mechanical replacement and installation up for success. He is dedicated to producing the most comprehensive and cost-effective solutions and projects for Climate Systems clients. Prior to joining Climate Systems in 2021, Billy served in HVAC project sales and pre-construction as a Senior Mechanical Estimator at MSS Solutions in Charlotte, NC. Before that from 2006 to 2018, he served as a Shock Specialist for Roush Fenway Racing and from 1992 to 2006 he served as Senior Mechanical Estimator for Norris H. Tripp Co., a Northeast mechanical contracting company. Earlier in his career, Billy held several positions in both mechanical engineering consulting offices and mechanical contracting companies as a draftsman, HVAC designer, and HVAC engineer I, including Keyes Associates and the Ritchie Organization. Billy graduated from New England Institute of Technology with an AAS in Mechanical Technology and Certificate programs; Northeastern University (HVAC Design), Carrier Corporation (HVAC Technical Development Program), Johnson & Wales University (Auto CADD), and Franklin Institute of Technology (Plumbing Design).Outside of work, Billy enjoys spending time on the beaches and mountains of North Carolina with his wife, two stepchildren, family, and friends.