Women in Construction: Carmen Koo

Inspiring inside and outside the sheet metal industry

By / Natalie Bruckner • Photos courtesy of Carmen Koo

“Don’t be afraid, face your fears, and if an opportunity arises, even if it scares you, do it!” This philosophy has been at the heart of every decision for Carmen Koo, owner of Applied Air Conditioning and member of SMACNA of Southern California (SoCal), since she was a little girl... and this is why she is such an inspiration both inside and out of the sheet metal industry. Born and raised in Holland, Koo emigrated to California with her parents, brother, and sister at the age of nine. Little did she know back then that her impact on the sheet metal industry would be so profound.

“I always knew I had an entrepreneurial spirit,” Koo says. “I take after my father who owned restaurants in Holland—but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be running an HVAC company this many years later. It’s amazing, and I feel blessed.”

Her path into sheet metal was rather unusual. In fact, up until 1996 she had never heard of the industry. However, as is life, an unusual circumstance led her to what would soon become her life’s passion. “I was volunteering with my family at church and a fellow parishioner, Norm Lussier, was starting a new HVAC company and needed someone to help him in the office,” Koo says. “At the time, I was at college and a young mum to a beautiful child [the second child, Emma, would come along nine years later] and I thought, why not? I completely fell in love with the industry from day one.”

Koo threw herself into the role, learning as much as she could about both the industry and the business. In 2008, when her boss was offered the opportunity to purchase another HVAC business and invited Koo to join him and partner Rudy Portillo to take the reins, she was armed and raring to go. Not even the financial crisis of 2007-2008 would stop her!

“It was definitely an interesting time to purchase a business, but looking back it was such a blessing because all the challenges we encountered and the roller coaster we went on were so very rewarding,” Koo enthuses.

Over the past 13 years, Koo helped grow Applied Air in staff numbers (growing from seven to 22), in its specialities, and in becoming a company that strongly believes in education and moving the industry forward.

Not one to sit back, her passion for her community and the industry led her into the political arena where she could help really make a difference. In 2019, she was recognized as the Contractor Legislative Advocate of the Year at SMACNA National’s 76th Annual Convention in Austin, Texas.

As one of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Political Action Committee’s (SMAC PAC) most active Congressional Insiders Club members, Koo is known to inspire others to be more involved. Her advocacy even inspired her local chapter to increase its fundraising status.

Her efforts have played a critical role in addressing public contracting payment reform, pension reform, infrastructure policies, and wage enforcement legislation, and most recently, the California Assembly Bill (AB) 841, which directs state energy efficiency funding to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems in public schools, prioritizing schools in underserved communities and those near freeways or industrial facilities.

“As an industry, we care about people and our community and want to do what’s right,” Koo says. “Being able to educate, inform, and make a difference is a real honour for me.”

Her vision for growth extends beyond the industry, too. As a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America she acts as a mentor to empower youth to excel in school and lead healthy, productive lives.

Being a strong female figurehead in the industry is something Koo is extremely proud of, and she hopes to inspire more women. “Women bring great balance and perspective to the industry,” Koo says. “I want to make sure that women know they have mentors who want to help them succeed, and I want to ensure we encourage them to stay in the trades and set them up for success.”

Of course, there have been those occasional times where being a woman in sheet metal has resulted in her receiving an odd reaction, but she says that kind of occurrence is few and far between these days, as the industry is evolving at such a fast pace to become more inclusive, thanks to great leaders and role models like SMACNA President Angie Simon, Karen Fox, owner of Precision Air Balance, and SMACNAWestern Washington Executive Vice President Julie Muller (who incidentally went to High School with Koo and is her best friend).

But there was that one time!

“I was in downtown LA on a roof, and I caught someone taking pictures of me. They must have thought it was odd to see a woman working on a roof,” Koo laughs, who admits she was once scared of heights.

For now, Koo continues to spread her love of the industry and people, and is ever thankful for the day she came across sheet metal. “I love that through my company and SMACNA I am able to give back and inspire,” she says. “I am proof that with hard work, perseverance, and faith you can do anything.” ▪