Full-Time
Service Sales
New Business Development
Updated on 9/4/2026
AIR Control Concepts
11-50 employees
Acquires and nurtures HVAC representation firms
No salary listed
Harrisburg, PA, USA
In Person
The sales territory includes Central and Western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Associate's
 Sales & Account Management (1) |
|---|
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- An associate degree or college degree.
- Three to five years of commercial industry service sales experience and/or technical experience.
- Knowledge and experience with installation and application of mechanical systems.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- A valid driver's license.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas accurately so others understand.
- Ability to climb ladders, stairs, and ramps; balance on unsteady surfaces; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl to reach equipment; push, pull, and lift components or equipment; work in all weather conditions and atmospheric conditions; and work in close quarters.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Manage the territory and customer account list, including maintaining expert knowledge of territory accounts, end users, and building management companies.
- Acquire new service agreement customers and manage existing relationships with building owners and property management companies to pursue upgrades and replacement product opportunities.
- Manage ongoing service agreements and service projects involving products and services profitably and efficiently.
- Create plans to manage and grow the account base through expanded service agreement sales opportunities, equipment replacements, upgrades, and retrofits.
- Identify and review existing mechanical systems, including rooftop commercial air systems, variable refrigerant flow systems, chillers, and cooling towers.
- Generate proposals and determine pricing for customer review.
- Enter new orders and service agreements in the Energy Transfer Solutions order-entry system.
- Attend required sales personnel training to become proficient in selling all offered services.
- Reach established annual sales quotas.
- Attend sales team review meetings.
Air Control Concepts builds a network by acquiring and integrating HVAC representation firms, then supports them with shared resources and collaboration to drive growth. Its products are the integrated services and community structure created through the acquisitions, plus access to partnerships and an enlarged market presence. The company differentiates itself by focusing on preserving each acquired firm’s unique culture while weaving them into a collaborative network, rather than simply competing on price or products. Based in Norfolk, VA, the goal is to help member firms grow, amplify their brands, and prosper through collective knowledge and opportunities.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Norfolk, Virginia
Founded
2016
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Blackstone became AIR's sole institutional investor on January 7, 2026, funding more acquisitions.
- AIR bought Technical Air Systems in January 2026 and Vertical Systems in August 2026.
- Entry into California and New York deepens exposure to dense commercial and institutional demand.
What critics are saying
- AIR's roll-up depends on founders staying after sale; integration failures destroy local revenue.
- Blackstone's sole control since January 2026 raises leverage pressure and exit-timing discipline.
- One bad integration wave kills seller trust and collapses AIR's future acquisition pipeline.
What makes AIR Control Concepts unique
- AIR combines local HVAC rep brands with shared back-office scale across 40-plus operating companies.
- Technical Air Systems and Vertical Systems stayed under local leadership after 2026 acquisitions.
- Blackstone-backed national platform gives small reps capital, M&A support, and shared resources.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Training Programs
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 31%1 year growth
↑ 31%2 year growth
↑ 31%AIR Control Concepts, the largest commercial HVAC, electrical and controls platform globally, has announced leadership changes effective 1 January 2027. Founder Brad Hobbs will transition from president and chief executive officer to executive chair, whilst Hayden Bland, currently president and chief operating officer, will become president and CEO. Hobbs will remain on AIR's board and focus on mergers and acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives, and key relationships. He will continue leading Hobbs & Associates, the original platform business. Additionally, Aaron Lewis will join AIR as chief operating officer on 1 October 2026. Lewis brings extensive experience from Johnson Controls and will oversee the company's Equipment business segment whilst supporting international expansion. The Norfolk, Virginia-based company operates across more than 50 operating companies with over 3,500 associates worldwide.
AIR Control Concepts, a global provider of mechanical, electrical, controls, and lifecycle service solutions, has acquired Vertical Systems, a California-based manufacturer's representative in the commercial HVAC market. The deal marks AIR's entry into California and strengthens its national platform. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Southern California, Vertical Systems operates locations in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego. The company serves commercial, institutional, healthcare, education, and mission-critical facilities throughout California. Vertical Systems will continue operating under its established brand and leadership. The acquisition expands AIR's ability to support customers throughout the building lifecycle, from capital planning and system design through project delivery and ongoing facility optimisation. AIR Control Concepts operates across North America and Europe through more than 50 operating companies and over 2,500 associates.
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia's 74th governor and former co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, has joined the board of directors at AIR Control Concepts. The Norfolk-based HVAC and mechanical services platform operates more than 45 companies with over 3,500 employees across North America and Europe. Youngkin, who served as governor from 2022 to 2026 and spent 25 years at Carlyle Group, is a long-time friend of AIR CEO Brad Hobbs. The two were high school teammates and later worked together during Youngkin's gubernatorial campaign. The appointment marks Youngkin's first corporate board position since leaving office. He holds degrees from Rice University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. AIR continues expanding its network of operating companies whilst maintaining their local market expertise and entrepreneurial culture.
Hear more about the latest deal announcements, news, and industry insights from Footprint Capital. In the news. Footprint Capital advises Cardinal Control Systems, Inc. in sale to AIR Control Concepts, a portfolio company of Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX). Columbus, Ohio, May 28th, 2026 - Cardinal Control Systems, Inc. ("Cardinal") has been acquired by AIR Control Concepts ("AIR"), a Portfolio Company of Blackstone Inc. ("Blackstone"). Footprint Capital, LLC, ("Footprint") acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor in the transaction. Founded in 2003, Cardinal is a leading HVAC controls and building management systems contractor based in Holbrook, NY. The company delivers custom building automation and control solutions that improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort for building owners and operators across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Cardinal's service offerings span system design and engineering, installation, commissioning, maintenance, service, and remote support, backed by factory-trained technicians experienced in pneumatic, electric, and digital control platforms. Through its consultative approach and commitment to reliable, easy-to-operate solutions, Cardinal has earned the trust of engineers, contractors, facility owners, school districts, and public agencies. Its involvement in LEED-certified and Energy Performance projects further reflects the company's dedication to sustainable, high-efficiency building performance. The acquisition significantly enhances AIR's presence in the Northeast by adding a long-established customer base in one of the nation's most active institutional and commercial building markets. Cardinal's deep integration expertise strengthens AIR's capabilities in building automation, direct digital controls (DDC), and full-scale system integration across the greater New York metropolitan region. Hayden Bland, Chief Operating Officer of AIR, commented that "Cardinal Control Systems is an excellent fit for the AIR platform. Their deep expertise in multi-protocol integration and building automation, combined with long-standing relationships across the New York institutional and commercial markets, significantly enhances our ability to support customers with high-performing, technically driven solutions. We are excited to welcome Scott and the Cardinal team to the AIR network." Scott McVetty, President of Cardinal Control Systems commented, "Joining AIR is a tremendous opportunity for our team and the customers we serve. We have always been committed to delivering exceptional, customized solutions backed by deep technical expertise. Partnering with AIR gives us access to greater resources and a broader network while allowing us to continue providing the responsive, hands-on service our customers have come to rely on. We're excited about the future, and we look forward to what we can accomplish as part of the Air team." McVetty also noted "Footprint's expertise and knowledge were invaluable, and the team gave unwavering dedication, hard work, and personal attention throughout the entire process. From the very first call through closing, I knew I was with the right team. I always believe that it's important to work with genuinely good people and I certainly found that quality in the Footprint team." Meera Modi and Brad Walker of McNees Wallace & Nurick served as Cardinal's primary legal counsel during the transaction. ABOUT FOOTPRINT CAPITAL Footprint Capital is a middle market investment bank with locations in Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania focused on advising owners and operators of privately held companies in the middle market. Footprint Capital's services include sell-side and buy-side merger and acquisition advisory, private equity and family office deal origination services, ownership transition planning, debt advisory, and strategic management consulting. For more information, visit: www.footprintcapital.com. ABOUT AIR CONTROL CONCEPTS Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, AIR is a global platform operating across North America and Europe through a network of more than 45+ operating companies and over 2,500 associates. The platform supports leading OEM partners and the customers they serve by combining deep local market expertise with the scale, resources, and connectivity of a national organization. AIR's operating model is designed to preserve the entrepreneurial culture and trusted relationships of each operating company while enabling collaboration, shared services, and long-term growth across the network. For more information, visit: www.aircontrolconcepts.com. ABOUT BLACKSTONE Blackstone, headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest alternative asset manager and operates one of the largest private equity platforms with a buy and build strategy to create long-term value. The firm invests in both established and growth-oriented businesses across the globe and strives to create value by investing in businesses where its capital, strategic insight, global relationships, and operational support can drive transformation. For more information, visit: www.blackstone.com.
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