Day in the Life of a Technician

Eddie McFarlane is a nationally recognized leader in the residential home services industry, serving as the Chief Learning and Development Officer at Sila Services, a multi-brand platform of over 30 HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies across the eastern United States. With decades of hands-on experience developing technicians, managers, and executives, Eddie has built a career around one core belief: better people build better businesses.

As Chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Eddie helps shape national policy, workforce development strategies, and contractor education, ensuring the voice of the trades is heard at the highest levels. His approach blends field credibility with strategic insight, drawing from his experience managing frontline teams, scaling multi-location training systems, and driving operational excellence in high-growth environments backed by private equity.

A passionate advocate for technician career pathing, employee retention, and leadership development, Eddie is the architect behind Project LiveFire, Sila’s fast-track trade school, and the internal Leadership Academy that develops the next generation of field and functional leaders. His speaking style is known for its directness, humility, and practical storytelling—rooted in real-world results from inside the homes and businesses of America’s HVAC and plumbing customers.

Whether he's speaking to a room of emerging leaders or seasoned executives, Eddie brings clarity, challenge, and a call to action for all of us to raise the bar in how we serve, lead, and grow.