Chelsey Ryker Caravalho

A strong work ethic has been central to my success. For me, that means showing up when needed, offering support, responding to questions, and being consistently dependable. Those fundamentals matter. Beyond that, my willingness to seize opportunities and fully commit to them has played an important role in my growth.

I’ve also been fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors throughout my time with the company. Early in my career, a strong marketing manager helped me understand my role in the organization and provided valuable guidance as I found my footing. Similarly, in sales, I benefited from working with two outstanding rental managers, as well as a highly knowledgeable group of technical experts in service and engineering. Their insights helped deepen my understanding of both the business and the industry, enabling me to lead what I manage today.

Ultimately, the company itself inspired me to stay and grow. What began as an opportunity I took almost by chance has become a 20-year career. As time went on—through hands-on experience, industry learning, and continued opportunities for advancement—I found meaningful reasons to remain and grow alongside the organization.

My advice would be to take every opportunity you can and fully commit to it. Equally important is finding work that you genuinely enjoy, because it’s something you’ll do every day—and no one wants to spend their career in a role that makes them unhappy.

For me, I value the variety and the people I work with. Wearing multiple hats has never been an issue; in fact, it’s part of what I enjoy most. The diversity of responsibilities keeps my work engaging and dynamic, and it brings a sense of energy and fulfillment to each day.

Be confident in your value and your voice. You don’t need to fit a specific mold to succeed in this industry. Ask questions, speak up, and trust that your perspective adds value. Confidence grows with experience, but it starts with believing you belong at the table.

Say yes to opportunities—even when they feel uncomfortable. Some of the most valuable growth comes from roles or projects you didn’t initially feel fully prepared for. Be willing to take on new challenges, learn on the job, and figure things out as you go.

Build relationships and seek out mentors. Learn from experienced colleagues across departments—sales, service, engineering, operations. Strong relationships will help you better understand the business and open doors you may not even realize exist. Don’t hesitate to ask for guidance; most people are willing to help.

Learn the industry, not just your role. Take time to understand how the equipment works, how decisions are made, and how different teams interact. A solid technical and operational foundation builds credibility and gives you confidence in conversations at every level.

From an operational standpoint, one of the biggest challenges is simply being open to change—especially when technology is rapidly evolving. It can be tempting to stick with processes that have “always worked,” but they don’t always support efficiency or scalability moving forward. I see a real opportunity in adopting technology that streamlines workflows, improves communication, and creates better visibility across teams. When implemented the right way, those tools don’t replace people—they empower them to work more efficiently and make better decisions day to day.

Family is extremely important to me. I have two sons, and I make it a priority to be actively involved in their lives—attending extracurricular activities like baseball and soccer games and spending as much quality time together as possible. I also volunteer regularly at their elementary and middle schools, which allows me to stay closely connected to their day-to-day experiences and be present in meaningful ways.

Since 2020, I’ve managed the yearbook for Blacow Elementary. During the period of distance learning, when teachers were already under significant strain, a friend and I—both parents at the school—volunteered to take on the project to ensure that such a unique year was thoughtfully documented. What began as a one-time effort has grown into an ongoing role that I truly enjoy, and more broadly reflects how much I value volunteering and being engaged in my children’s lives. I previously coached cheerleading as well, and while I’m not currently coaching, it remains a longtime personal interest.

Professionally, I’m passionate about my work and about supporting the advancement of women in the industry. My involvement with the Women in the Boiler Industry organization has been particularly motivating. Connecting with women who share similar career paths and a commitment to bringing more women into a field that has historically been underrepresented by women has encouraged me to broaden my perspective, expand my horizons, and continue looking for ways to make a meaningful impact.