Authenticity assures HVAC grad's happiness, success

Jeffrey C. Comitz, who holds two HVAC degrees from Penn College, was recently spotlighted by his Greater Nanticoke Area High School alma mater through its "GNA Success Stories" series on social media.

His profile, reprinted here with permission (and with thanks to Amber Hyder, who teaches English Language Arts and Public Speaking at the high school), follows:

"My high school life was centered around partying, and I surrounded myself with others who did the same. I just tried to fit in as best as I could, and didn’t really have a plan for life after high school. Near the end of my high school career, my life became very unmanageable, and I'd lost hope that I would ever be able to overcome these issues and lead a meaningful and productive life. On Feb. 12, 2010, I made the decision to turn my life around: this was the last time I put a drink or drug in my body, and I have been sober ever since.

"Now, I’m an extremely driven and motivated individual. Partying does not fit into my life today, and I put all of my focus on my children, career, and other things I’m passionate about. I'm not a follower trying to fit in; I’m an effective and well-respected leader.

"In the last 13 years, I have received a Bachelor of Science degree in HVAC design technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology, started a family, have two wonderful children, and have an amazing job in the thermal processing and manufacturing industry. Currently, I’m the director of operations at Thermal Product Solutions in New Columbia. I’m responsible for 150 employees within the purchasing, fabrication, assembly, and shipping and logistics departments. Our company was deemed as essential during the pandemic, and we manufactured thermal processing and sterilization equipment that was used in testing vaccines and sterilizing N95 masks during the initial mask shortages. It’s a pretty important job!

"If you would have told me in high school what I would be doing today, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles and adversity to be the person I am today, and I hope that my success can bring hope to others who have or are struggling with similar issues.

"The moral? Be who you truly feel you are, and don’t try to be who you think others think you should be. Do what truly makes you happy."

Comitz, who frequently returns to campus to interact with current and prospective Penn College students, was also among the guests in a February episode of WVIA-TV's "Keystone Edition Business":