Engineering the Future: Paul Cacioppo Brings Fresh Talent to MSC
After a brief stint as a sales engineer following his graduation from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2023, Paul Cacioppo made the decision in October 2024 to join Mechanical Service Corporation. His Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, problem-solving skills, and rapidly growing technical knowledge have made him an outstanding addition to our team.
​
When discussing his decision to study mechanical engineering, Paul shares, "I’ve always liked the idea of being able to build things and solve problems. That’s why I pursued this field—it gave me the tools I needed to become that problem solver.”
​
Since joining MSC, Paul has spent much of his time out in the field, learning about the various equipment we service under the mentorship of our leadership team. This hands-on experience has proven invaluable for his professional development.
​
"Every problem has a different solution," he notes. "You can see the same type of
equipment malfunctioning 20 different times, and each time, it's a unique problem. No matter how many times you run into a particular issue, you always have to follow through on troubleshooting to find out what the root cause really is."
​
Paul particularly values the guidance he receives from his colleagues. "The quality of in-field education I receive from Andy (Heilmann), Tony (Folk), and the support of everyone in the office has created a fantastic learning environment for me. The great leadership here at MSC has helped me develop much stronger technical skills in a short amount of time."
​
While working full-time at MSC, Paul is also pursuing a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management at Stevens Institute of Technology, with an expected graduation date of August 2025.
​
"It's definitely a challenge working long days, then going to what feels like a 'second' job,” he admits, “but it feels rewarding to be able to push, improve, and grow daily."
​
As one of the younger professionals in the HVAC industry, Paul brings a modern perspective and fresh energy to his work. With the field facing challenges in attracting younger talent, Paul's technical background and enthusiasm are particularly beneficial to our operations. He has quickly adapted to the specific challenges of our industry while contributing valuable insights to the team.
​
For Paul, working in HVAC offers unique satisfaction: "This is the truest application of mechanical engineering. You learn all of these theoretical concepts in school, and in many jobs, you might only apply one or two. But in HVAC and construction, you get to apply practically every concept you learned. It's hard work, and you have to be at the top of your game, but you're never bored."
​
As Paul continues to grow both at MSC and through his studies, he represents the next generation of HVAC professionals—technically skilled, intellectually curious, and ready to take on the complex challenges of our industry. His journey is just beginning, but he’s already making his mark on our team and our customers.