FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Oct. 31, 2025) – The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) has selected Jeremy Gregg, instructor at the Knoxville PHCC Apprentice School in Tennessee, as its 2025 HVAC Instructor of the Year. Sponsored by PHCC Corporate Partner Milwaukee Tool, the award was presented during PHCC CONNECT 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gregg, a third-generation HVAC professional, has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring apprentices, drawing from more than 30 years of experience in both residential and commercial HVAC. His teaching philosophy is rooted in helping students understand why they do what they do … not just how. “I love seeing their faces when something they struggled with or didn’t understand finally clicks,” he said. “I love taking the mystery out of HVAC and making it easy to understand.”

This past school year, nearly all of Gregg’s HVAC 1 and 2 students returned for further training – a testament to his ability to inspire and engage apprentices. Known for blending technical knowledge with real-world applications, he uses both relatable stories and personal experiences to bring lessons to life. He even shares his mistakes “as examples of what not to do,” he explained.

Gregg is also known for pushing beyond the curriculum to better prepare apprentices for the future. He regularly equips his classes with the latest tools – such as multi-meters, digital psychrometers, and recovery machines – and leverages his connections with Trane to provide HVAC units for hands-on training. Believing in the importance of forward-looking instruction, he introduced an A2L refrigerant class to ensure his students are prepared for upcoming industry changes.

Students consistently give Gregg high ratings for being relatable, motivational, and clear in his instructions. His teaching style – switching seamlessly between technical and layman’s terms –encourages apprentices to think critically, ask questions, and approach challenges with confidence. He also instills professionalism, reminding students to “under promise and over deliver” and to constantly invest in themselves to become better technicians for their customers and the industry.

In addition to his teaching role, Gregg serves as a field service representative for Trane and is a certified trainer for both Trane and Mitsubishi. He holds numerous professional certifications, including NATE, Generac, and EPA Universal Instructor, and is also an NCCER Certified Master Trainer and ESCO proctor.

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About PHCC
The PHCC National Association, formed in 1883, provides legislative advocacy, education, and training to approximately 3,500 plumbing and HVACR businesses and 65,000 technicians. Members of PHCC have access to a wide variety of services designed to increase their professionalism, grow their business, and improve profitability. For more information about PHCC, visit phccweb.org.

About Milwaukee Tool
For over 100 years, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry with innovative solutions that redefine performance, productivity, and safety for the professional trades. Fueled by an unwavering commitment to its users, Milwaukee Tool pioneers breakthrough technologies, products, and services that empower tradespeople to excel in their work and return home safely each day. Milwaukee is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions from its global research, design and development facilities located across southeast Wisconsin. Milwaukee® is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI), a world leader in cordless technology. For more information about Milwaukee Tool, visit milwaukeetool.com.