2025 Residential Trades Report, as told by the experts

Jay Mahaffey’s journey in the trades began early—at just nine years old, he was officially on the payroll, working alongside his father in the install department at Tuck and Howell. What started as a childhood immersed in HVAC installations quickly grew into a full-fledged passion for the industry.

In his teenage years, Jay made the bold decision to step outside the family business and gain broader experience. He worked with several competitors in the region, which gave him exposure to different approaches and sharpened his skills across multiple facets of the business. This period of hands-on growth helped propel his career, moving him from the field into service and ultimately into a standout sales role.

Jay’s drive and determination culminated in a major milestone—achieving $4 million in sales as a comfort advisor. But for Jay, the vision was always bigger. That success became the springboard for his lifelong dream: owning and leading his own company.

Together with his wife Amanda, Jay took a leap of faith, returning full circle to purchase Tuck and Howell Plumbing, Heating & Air in Duncan, South Carolina. Today, the Mahaffeys are committed to honoring the company’s legacy while building a bold, service-driven future rooted in family values, professional excellence, and community trust.

Angie Snow is a Principal Industry Advisor at ServiceTitan, where she helps home service businesses maximize technology, strengthen leadership, and create exceptional customer experiences. With nearly two decades of experience in the HVAC industry, including co-owning Western Heating, Air & Plumbing, Angie brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges contractors face every day. Her background in marketing, customer service, financial management, and operations gives her a practical, real-world perspective that resonates with owners, managers, and teams alike.

A certified John Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, DISC consultant, and founder of Snow Business Coaching, Angie is passionate about helping contractors build high-performing call centers, develop confident leaders, and create cultures where people thrive. She is a recognized thought leader in the trades, regularly sharing practical strategies through training programs, webinars, podcasts, and industry events. Her contributions to the industry have earned her numerous honors, including the Service World Woman of the Year Award and recognition as one of the Top Women in HVAC. Whether she’s teaching customer experience, leadership, or business growth, Angie equips home service professionals with practical tools they can put into action immediately.

Amanda Mahaffey is the co-owner of Tuck and Howell Plumbing, Heating & Air, a legacy HVAC and plumbing company that she and her husband Jay purchased in 2023. With a professional background in accounting and a passion for data and financial analysis, Amanda has been instrumental in revitalizing and transforming the business.

Her deep understanding of numbers and operational efficiency has helped turn Tuck and Howell into a more agile, profitable, and forward-thinking company. Amanda’s strategic mindset and analytical approach have guided key decisions and process improvements—laying the foundation for sustainable success.

Beyond the numbers, Amanda is passionate about building strong teams, improving systems, and creating a culture of excellence and accountability within the organization.

Jay Mahaffey’s journey in the trades began early—at just nine years old, he was officially on the payroll, working alongside his father in the install department at Tuck and Howell. What started as a childhood immersed in HVAC installations quickly grew into a full-fledged passion for the industry.

In his teenage years, Jay made the bold decision to step outside the family business and gain broader experience. He worked with several competitors in the region, which gave him exposure to different approaches and sharpened his skills across multiple facets of the business. This period of hands-on growth helped propel his career, moving him from the field into service and ultimately into a standout sales role.

Jay’s drive and determination culminated in a major milestone—achieving $4 million in sales as a comfort advisor. But for Jay, the vision was always bigger. That success became the springboard for his lifelong dream: owning and leading his own company.

Together with his wife Amanda, Jay took a leap of faith, returning full circle to purchase Tuck and Howell Plumbing, Heating & Air in Duncan, South Carolina. Today, the Mahaffeys are committed to honoring the company’s legacy while building a bold, service-driven future rooted in family values, professional excellence, and community trust.