A few months ago, Mike Nokes, owner of McGilberry Mechanical, was in church when he got a text notification that a client’s air conditioning wasn’t working. It was a scorchingly hot day, and Mike knew one of the members of the customer’s family had health concerns. As soon as the service ended, Mike—wearing a suit and tie—went straight to the customer’s home. “He didn’t even change his shoes,” says his wife, Tammie. “I made a joke that I got dressed up just for them,” Mike chuckles.
On another occasion, he was attired far more casually when a client needed a new air conditioning system on the Fourth of July. Mike had been boating with his family on Lake Livingston when he got the urgent message. He arrived at the customer’s home wearing a swimsuit and Crocs.
Although most clients won’t see Mike in either a business suit or a swimsuit, they can have confidence that their air conditioning and heating problems will be solved in a timely manner. Unless a repair is dependent on a hard-to-find part, Mike says, almost all repairs can be accomplished the same day they are reported. McGilberry Mechanical will “come running” when needed, he says, even if it’s at night, or on a weekend or holiday.
People must like this level of commitment, because Mike and Tammie estimate 80 percent of their business comes from existing customers, and most of their new business comes from client referrals. Perhaps that is because McGilberry Mechanical ensures that heating and cooling systems are installed, repaired and maintained properly; furthermore, the team goes to great lengths to make sure customers are happy. “We don’t cut corners,” Mike says. “We like to set them up right the first time.”
Many clients take advantage of McGilberry’s service agreement, which offers periodic maintenance on a variety of HVAC components, such as refrigerant levels, ductwork, and condenser coils. Subscribers also enjoy a discount on any needed repairs. The goal, Mike says, is to keep HVAC units working for as long as possible.
Whether they are performing scheduled maintenance or repairs, technicians often make suggestions about ways to improve their customers’ heating and air conditioning efficiency and effectiveness. They do not, however, resort to high-pressure sales tactics. “We educate the customer on what’s available,” Mike says, “but we are not pushy.” Clients seem to approve: online reviews praise McGilberry Mechanical technicians for being helpful, professional and courteous.
After working as a HVAC technician in the Huntsville area for many years, Danny McGilberry founded McGilberry Mechanical in 1990, setting up shop in his barn. Family members joked that the business was “born in a barn.” Mike, Danny’s son, was newly married when he joined Danny in the business in 1991. Danny taught Mike the HVAC business; in addition, he taught Mike other things, including Biblical truths, how to build things, and how to work with his hands. “My dad showed me how to work and showed me how to be productive,” Mike says. “One thing I learned: in a small town, you may only have a handful of customers, but you have to cherish them.”
When Danny transitioned into semi-retirement in 1998, he sold the company to Mike. Tammie worked for the family business, too, but she eventually ventured off into other jobs and worked for McGilberry Mechanical in the evenings. “It grew to where I would come from my regular, eight-hour-a-day job and work in our home office until one or two in the morning,” Tammie says. Finally, about 15 years ago, she became the company’s full-time marketing manager.
Operating their business from home wasn’t ideal, Tammie says, but in 2009, Mike found a suitable building for McGilberry Mechanical on Highway 30 East. At first, Tammie was not convinced that the dirty welding shop would work for their company; however, Danny helped with the remodeling, and Tammie was pleasantly surprised by the transformation. Moving to their own storefront remains one of her best memories of McGilberry Mechanical’s 33 years in business. “We have come a long way from being born in a barn,” she says.
Mike and Tammie’s son Blaine grew up in the business. After graduating from high school, he attended a hands-on technical school in Houston, then joined the company full-time. He moved on to other jobs after he got married, but has since returned to McGilberry Mechanical. “I was immediately able to get right back into it,” he says.
Blaine enjoys the technical aspects of his job, especially troubleshooting and problem-solving. He also likes to educate clients about their issues and options, but he doesn’t overwhelm them with technical jargon. He explains problems and solutions so they can understand, emphasizing points that are important to each customer’s situation. “We can give a thorough assessment of their system and make recommendations about what would benefit their home. We try to gather as much information as possible and find out what’s really important to them,” he says. For example, clients might be concerned about high electricity bills or family members with allergies.
Jacob Robinson, a family friend of Amber Fuller, McGilberry Mechanical’s office manager, was a logical choice when the company needed help in 2023. Jacob had his own lawn service business, but soon found he enjoyed working full-time for McGilberry Mechanical. He is now learning the HVAC trade via on-the-job training. “They are great teachers,” he says. So far, his favorite part of the job is installing new units.
Jacob is a good example of the kind of people that McGilberry Mechanical likes to hire: humble, personable, hardworking, and willing to learn. “I think this is a great career,” Mike says. “You are learning a trade, and this is something that will stick with you from now on. Once you know it, you can’t unknow it. It’s like riding a bike.”
Meanwhile, Amber has been with McGilberry Mechanical for 13 years. She is usually the first voice panicked customers hear when they call to report a heating or air conditioning outage, and Amber enjoys this interaction with the company’s clientele. “I treat them the way I want to be treated,” she says. “I treat them like family and get them taken care of.” Amber’s favorite day of the year is in September, when McGilberry Mechanical provides barbecue and door prizes for about 150 first responders. “It’s nice to give that to them and let them know we appreciate them for what they are doing every day to protect us,” she says.
Amber—and all the members of the McGilberry Mechanical team—strive to make sure customers are happy. Occasionally, that means revisiting a jobsite to make sure everything was done correctly. Mike notes that all new installations, maintenance and repairs are covered by McGilberry Mechanical’s warranty. “We have good work ethics, he says, “and we treat people fairly. And we don’t just say this stuff; we actually follow through with it.”
McGilberry Mechanical Heating & Cooling, Inc.
1618 Highway 30 E
Huntsville, TX 77320
(936) 291-2640
mcgilberrymechanical.com
Postcards Magazine
936-293-1188
PO Box 690
Huntsville, TX 77342
