Wife-husband HVACR business is a marriage of two technology centers
“For better or for worse, in heat and cold …”
Leslie Plemons and her husband, Lemmie, didn’t write that into their original wedding vows, but the heat and air technicians may want to consider that if they ever renew those vows. The couple owns and operates Statewide Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration HVACR in Noble, Oklahoma, and both are licensed HVACR technicians.
Lemmie Plemons is a third-generation technician who received his formal training at Mid-America Technology Center in Wayne, Oklahoma. He had been in the business for several years while Leslie worked on the home front as a stay-at-home mom. When their son turned 14, Leslie decided it was time to get back in the workforce.
After living the HVACR life vicariously through her husband, Leslie wanted to learn more about the technical side of the business. She chose the HVACR program at Moore Norman Technology Center.
“The HVACR industry is always needed and never going away,” Leslie said.
Leslie said she uses the skills she learned at Moore Norman every day. Those skills include problem-solving, diagnosing a system, brazing and fabricating several pieces of ductwork. The hands-on approach to training was a key to her success.
“My teacher, Danny Hogue, was awesome,” she said. “His curriculum takes everything in steps and allows you to work hands-on with the equipment. That is so important in this industry, to not just look at the book, but put what you’re learning to work so you can succeed in the field.”
Learning to do the job was the obvious first step but convincing herself she could do the job was an equally important component.
“I’ve gained confidence in myself and my ability to perform the job in a male-dominated industry,” she said.
In addition to learning essential job skills, Leslie also earned several scholarships that she applied to tools and equipment. She received several certifications during the program, including OSHA 10 (a 10-hour safety course), EPA-universal (which indicates you are certified as a Type I, II and III technician), and three Snap-on training certifications.
“I would tell any employer that technology centers are great partners for the future workforce,” Leslie said. “CareerTech grads are equipped with the skills and attitude to get the job done.”
Together, Leslie and Lemmie Plemons demonstrate that every day, taking care of customers in Noble, Oklahoma, and the surrounding area at their HVACR business, a marriage of two Oklahoma technology centers.
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The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
