Industry change, real perspectives

The HVAC and building automation industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Software-driven systems, connected devices, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are reshaping how buildings are designed, managed and optimized, while long-tenured professionals retire and a new generation enters the workforce.

Against this backdrop of change, people remain the most critical element of the industry’s future.

That theme took center stage during a podcast recorded at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas, where industry influencer HVAC Jess (Jessica Bannister) joined three women from the Johnson Controls Building Automation and Controls team. Together, they shared their perspectives on how the industry has changed over the last few decades, how technology is redefining HVAC careers and what it means to succeed in an increasingly digital, customer-centric environment.

The podcast is part of a series from AHR Expo offering expert insight on the trends shaping the HVAC industry. Look for additional articles and podcasts to come.

“I think women bring an element of empathy to the industry. Listening, adapting, being open and bringing people together – we create consensus and get it done.”

- Snita Menon, Product Management Director, Control Systems

A conversation grounded in real-world experience

Known for highlighting the human side of HVAC, HVAC Jess brings practical field experience and a strong industry following conversations about workforce evolution, technology and building innovation. In this podcast, she guided a discussion with women working across product management, engineering and sales, offering listeners insight into how diverse career paths intersect to shape modern building automation.

The panel included:

• Liana Domena, Senior Product Manager II, Building Automation Systems
• Snita Menon, Product Management Director, Control Systems
• Pamela Padgett, Application Engineer

Their discussion touched on everything from legacy system modernization and customer education to AI, cloud computing and the skills needed to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Meeting customers where they are in our evolving environment

Technology continues to transform facility management, but many customers face a common challenge: balancing modern expectations with existing infrastructure. For Liana Domena, that reality shapes how she approaches her product management role at Johnson Controls.

Many facilities still rely on legacy hardware, and replacing entire systems at once isn’t always feasible. Instead, Liana emphasized the importance of designing solutions that support phased modernization, allowing customers to evolve at their own pace.

“Part of being successful in HVAC is understanding your customer, their needs, and then meeting them there. I love that it’s my job to help design systems that will help them successfully modernize, at their pace.”

- Liana Domena, Senior Product Manager II Building Automation Systems

This customer-first mindset is critical as buildings transition toward more software-driven environments. Migration paths, backward compatibility and long-term planning help protect customers’ investments while enabling future capabilities.

Snita Menon reinforced that modernization is as much about people as it is technology. As new generations join the workforce and digital tools expand, training, education and ongoing guidance are essential for helping facility teams adapt confidently to new systems.

Pamela Padgett added that phased upgrades, supported by products designed to “step down” to older systems and later scale back up, allow customers to modernize with minimal disruption.

Technology trends shaping the next era of building automation

Looking to the future, the panel highlighted several technologies that they feel will increasingly redefine building automation:

• AI and data analytics will optimize performance, reduce service calls and improve productivity
• Cloud computing, edge devices and IoT will simplify system architectures and increase scalability
• Cybersecurity will protect systems and data as connectivity expands

“With all the data floating around in the cloud, cybersecurity and compliance will be key. It’s about helping you feel confident that your data is protected, and people don’t hack into your systems.”

- Snita Menon, Product Management Director Control Systems

Pam emphasized that building owners increasingly expect integrated environments, platforms that unify security, fire systems, lighting and HVAC, into one single interface. These systems enable proactive operation, helping identify issues before they result in downtime.

As advances in technology accelerate, so too have the range of roles available in HVAC and controls, creating new entry points beyond traditional mechanical career paths.

Designing for longevity, flexibility and sustainability

Another key theme from the conversation was helping customers avoid investing in systems that quickly become obsolete. For the panelists, long-term value matters more than short-term features.

Backward compatibility, retrofit kits and modular designs all support a more flexible approach to modernization and optimizing building performance, one that minimizes downtime, reduces waste and supports sustainability.

Snita spoke to how adaptability can protect customers from costly rip and replace projects, while still enabling progress toward operational efficiency and decarbonization.

Women’s growing impact in HVAC and building automation

The conversation also explored how the evolution of HVAC, from mechanical-heavy work to software-driven systems, has opened doors for women to not only enter but thrive in the industry. Skills including collaboration, systems thinking, communication and customer engagement are often considered as important as hands-on mechanical experiences.

Pam reflected on her 25-year career, recalling that when she started with Johnson Controls, women were rare in field roles. Today, she sees a growing pipeline of women entering HVAC through engineering, controls, IT and applications, and moving fluidly between roles as their careers evolve.

“When I started in the industry, there was only one other woman in the field with me. It’s powerful to look at how things have changed and see how the women coming into the industry are just as passionate about it today.”

- Pamela Padgett, Application Engineer

That level of in-depth expertise is essential to innovation and customer success — strengthening the company’s ability to solve complex challenges and design technologies that work in the real world.

With the industry continuously growing and evolving, women at Johnson Controls help shape solutions that are resilient, flexible and aligned with how facilities (and the people who run them) operate at the highest level. The perspectives shared in this conversation highlight how far the industry has come and how many opportunities are available both now and in the future.