About
About Richard Fritzke
Founder of The Modern Trades Mentor — contractor technology and AI advisory built from 26+ years in HVAC, facilities, mechanical systems, and service operations.
Founder · The Modern Trades Mentor LLC
Built From the Field, Not From a Sales Deck
Practical AI, technology, and workflow guidance built on more than 26 years in HVAC, mechanical systems, facilities, technician leadership, and service operations.
Richard Fritzke founded The Modern Trades Mentor to help business owners make better technology decisions without getting pulled into a software sales pitch.
For more than 26 years, Richard has worked across HVAC/R, facilities, mechanical systems, technician leadership, building optimization, capital planning, and service operations. He has led technical teams, supported complex commercial environments, and worked through the operational problems that software alone cannot solve: inconsistent processes, missed follow-up, disconnected systems, weak adoption, and wasted administrative time.
Today, Richard applies that field-and-operations experience to growth and operating systems, workflow improvement, CRM and software guidance, and practical technology and AI planning for owner-led service businesses. Every recommendation starts with the business process, the people doing the work, and the outcome the owner needs — not a preferred software platform.
Experience references are provided for professional background only and do not imply endorsement by any current or former employer or government entity.
Earlier career
Earlier in his career, Richard worked in insurance underwriting with Burns & Wilcox and previously held licenses in property and casualty, life, and health insurance. Although those licenses are no longer active, that experience continues to inform his practical approach to risk, documentation, vendor evaluation, and operational decision-making.
The Modern Trades Mentor does not provide insurance, legal, tax, or financial advice, and does not sell insurance products.
26+ Years in the Trades
- Commercial HVAC
- Facilities
- Mechanical Systems
- Operations
Leadership
- 20+ technicians supervised
- 40+ facilities managed
- Capital planning
- Building optimization
Licenses & Credentials
- ICC Master Mechanical License
- EPA Universal Certified
- A.S. HVAC/R, Redstone College
- OSHA 30 · MSHA certified
Today
- Growth & operating systems
- Software selection
- Staff training
- AI adoption where it helps
Philosophy
“Technology should fit the contractor — not force the contractor to fit the technology.”
Business Before AI
We fix the process before automating it.
Vendor-Neutral Recommendations
We do not force a preferred software platform.
Practical Implementation
A recommendation is only useful if the team can actually adopt it.
Keep the Human in Control
AI should support owners and staff — not create new risks or confusion.
How It Works
1. Book a Strategy Call
2. Identify the business constraint
3. Build a Growth & Systems Blueprint
4. Fix the right system or begin ongoing support
5. Measure and improve what changed
Why Contractors Work With Richard
- 26+ years of hands-on HVAC, facilities, and mechanical systems experience
- Led teams of 20+ technicians across 40+ commercial facilities
- ICC Master Mechanical License · EPA Universal Certified
- A.S. in HVAC/R, Redstone College · OSHA 30 and MSHA certified
- Currently active in recommissioning and optimization work across commercial, mission-critical, and complex facilities environments
- Builds and runs modern software, AI tools, CRM, and marketing systems for his own businesses
- Recommendations are vendor-neutral and based on your operational needs
- Understands both the field and the office — because he has worked in both
Experience references are provided for professional background only and do not imply endorsement by any current or former employer or government entity.
Who This Is For
Owner-led service businesses — HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, general contracting, and related trades, plus service businesses with the same operating shape.
Based in the Tampa Bay area with remote advisory available. If you need someone who speaks contractor operations — not just software sales — you are in the right place.
Talk to Richard
- (727) 600-3425 — call or text
- Richard@TheModernTradesMentor.com
- Serving Pinellas County, Tampa Bay, and Hillsborough County
- On-site shop visits available — Richard travels to you
Work With Someone Who Has Been in the Field
Book a Strategy Call for a practical conversation about your business — no software pitch, no obligation.