Chris Street: A Second Trade
By James Florence
ROHNERT PARK — When a debilitating injury ended his roofing career, Chris Street found himself starting from scratch in a new professional field. In the end, however, his twist of fate resulted in a greater success than he’d ever imagined. “I developed carpal tunnel syndrome early in my roofing career, and when I had surgery to correct it, I lost about 20 percent usage of my wrists,” he explains. “Since I wasn’t able to do roofing anymore, the workers’ compensation department offered to send me to school to learn a new trade. I decided to go into HVAC—I used to see HVAC technicians doing installations on the sites I worked at, and it always seemed like interesting work.”
After completing his term at the Denver Institute of Technology, Chris returned to California and got a job doing residential HVAC work. A few years later, he joined the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and spent 16 years working for Aaero Heating in Novato before switching to the commercial side of the field. Eventually, after garnering a well-rounded industry expertise, Chris decided it was time to start his own business.
Today, as president of Enviro Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., Chris says his favorite part of his job is improving the functionality and comfort of people’s homes. “I like the process of designing and installing heating and cooling systems, as well as the overall gratification of making our customers’ homes more efficient.”
Chris was born in Missouri, grew up in Novato and today lives in Rohnert Park with his wife, Lori, and their children. Outside of work, he engages in a variety of family activities and personal hobbies. “We’re big Giants fans, so we go to a lot of baseball games,” he says. “I also coach baseball and I’m on the board for the local Cal Ripken league, in which most of our kids have participated.” Chris also enjoys fishing at local reservoirs like Lake Sonoma and going on family vacations to Hawaii.
When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Chris says he’d head back to the big island. “I’d take a couple of weeks to relax in Hawaii. Then, after I got back, I’d probably look for some more volunteering opportunities and spend more time working with kids in the community.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Did you play any sports in high school?
A: Yes, I played football.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Cricklewood in Santa Rosa.
Q: Music or talk radio?
A: Music.
Q: What’s your favorite style of music?
A: Country.
Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: A cheese Danish from Starbucks.
Q: Who’s your favorite superhero?
A: Batman.
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