Eagle Pipe Heating & Air, a locally owned HVAC and plumbing contractor serving Kitsap and Jefferson Counties, has donated and installed a complete HVAC system at Community Works, a hands-on trades training program for teens and young adults based at Short's Family Farm in Chimacum, Washington. The project, completed on April 21 in partnership with ServiceTitan's Power the Nation initiative, allows students to train year-round in a comfortable and safe environment.
Community Works offers civic engagement and technical training for students from area schools, with programs centered on boat making, tiny house construction, and other skilled trades disciplines. The program operates out of a converted barn—a concrete structure that had previously become unusable during colder months. The HVAC system installed by Eagle Pipe Heating & Air, which includes an energy-efficient thermostat operable by program staff, ensures that training can continue regardless of season.
“This is where we could really make a difference—not only financially, but by spending time with this organization and with their folks,” said Lori Tschohl, owner of Eagle Pipe Heating & Air. The donation was made possible in part through contributions from Thermal Supply and Daikin, whose support helped offset equipment costs.
The project reflects Eagle Pipe's ongoing commitment to workforce development. Tschohl, who also serves as president of the Jefferson County Builders Association, has participated in trade schools and vocational programs across the region to introduce young people—particularly those aged 16 and 17—to career opportunities in HVAC and plumbing. “We take technicians with us and say, ‘These are gauges. These are our tools. This is what we do,’ hoping to generate interest so that by the time they leave, they don't have to think, ‘Am I going to college? What am I going to do?’” Tschohl said.
The Community Works project also connects to a wider network of community involvement. Students in the program have previously built pantries and other items donated to Dove House, a local women's shelter—an organization where Eagle Pipe Heating & Air had also previously installed an HVAC system. Through the Power the Nation initiative, Eagle Pipe was able to broaden the scope of its charitable giving, with check presentations to partner organizations expected to meaningfully exceed prior donation amounts.
Beyond promoting trades careers, Tschohl has made a point of highlighting the role technology plays in modern HVAC operations—including AI-powered tools available through ServiceTitan's platform—to illustrate the industry's relevance and career potential to younger audiences. “It's not just turning a wrench or learning about refrigerants. It's about what's up and coming,” Tschohl said. “This industry right now is in the absolute best position to not only utilize AI, but explore the future.”
This donation underscores a growing trend of local businesses investing in workforce development to address skilled labor shortages, while also demonstrating how technology integration can attract a new generation to the trades. By equipping Community Works with a functional HVAC system, Eagle Pipe Heating & Air has not only improved learning conditions but also provided a tangible example of how modern HVAC careers extend beyond traditional manual labor.
