Chelsey Ryker
Chelsey (Ryker) Caravalho is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Nationwide Boiler Inc., based in Fremont, California. With nearly 20 years of experience in the boiler industry, she has built a career that blends strategic marketing leadership with sales support, IT management, and operational coordination. In her current role, she oversees corporate marketing strategy, brand development, digital and web presence, advertising, SEO, and internal communications, while also managing cross-departmental initiatives that support growth across rentals, equipment sales, controls, and emissions solutions.
Her journey with Nationwide Boiler began unexpectedly during her junior year of high school, when she started as a part-time administrative assistant answering phones, filing documents, and supporting accounting functions. Initially planning a career in healthcare, Chelsey was encouraged by company leadership to explore opportunities within the organization, leading her to change her academic focus to business and marketing. While completing her degree at California State University–East Bay, she transitioned into a marketing and sales support role, where she gained early exposure to both the technical and commercial sides of the boiler industry. Over time, she progressively took on greater responsibility, including marketing coordination, sales support, and event management.
Throughout her career, Chelsey has continually adapted to the evolving needs of the business, stepping into roles such as Marketing Manager, IT Manager, Rental Sales Representative, and Event Chair for the company’s annual Pebble Beach Charity Golf Tournament. She has also led major initiatives in CRM implementation, IT oversight, trade show coordination, and fleet compliance management. Today, she balances a dynamic mix of responsibilities—managing marketing strategy, advertising, social media, SEO, budgets, and web presence, while also supporting rental sales and IT needs. Known for her versatility, problem-solving mindset, and hands-on leadership style, Chelsey thrives in a fast-paced environment and remains deeply committed to driving both operational excellence and meaningful industry impact.
• California State University - East Bay - BSBA
• Ohlone College - AS, Business
• Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area
• Women in the Boiler Industry (American Boiler Manufacturers Association)
• Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and Industry Scholarship Fund
• Yearbook Designer for Blake Hill Elementary School
• Elementary and Middle School Volunteer
• American Boiler Manufacturers Association
• Blacow Elementary Yearbook Committee
• Fremont Centerville Little League
• Irvington High School
What do you attribute your success to?
I'd say a good work ethic is at the core of my success. It's really about being there when I need to be, helping when I need to, answering questions, and supporting people. I think those are the basics of it. Beyond that, I believe my ability to take every opportunity that comes my way and run with it has been crucial. I've been fortunate to have great mentors within the company throughout the years who have really helped guide me. I had a great marketing manager who helped me see my position in marketing and really guided me as I was gaining my legs, so to speak. Same goes for sales - I had two great rental managers over the years that I've learned a lot from, and they really, really helped me understand the business and the industry and be able to do what I do today. The company itself inspired me to stay and grow, because even though I took this opportunity by chance and didn't think I would be here 20 years later, as the years started going by, working, learning about the industry, and having the opportunity to grow with the company, that's really the reason I'm here.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take every opportunity that you can and run with it. And I'd also say find something that you really enjoy doing, because you're gonna do it every day for the rest of your life, and you don't want to be stuck in a role that you are miserable in. For me, I mean, I love the variety, I love the people here, you know, so it's not necessarily an issue that I wear multiple hats, because it gives me that variety that I like, and it keeps things exciting and fun and new and different day-to-day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is very important to me. I have two boys, and I spend a lot of time at their baseball games, soccer games, and with the family. I also volunteer for the elementary and middle schools that my children are at as much as I can, which allows me to see more and be with them more day-to-day. I actually have been designing the yearbook for Blake Hill Elementary since 2020, when we were doing distance learning and none of the teachers wanted to handle the yearbook. My friend and I, who both had students at the time at the elementary, we volunteered to do the yearbook so that they had such a unique year captured in a book, and ever since then, I've been managing the yearbook for the elementary school. I really enjoy volunteering and participating and, you know, especially being in my kids' life. I used to be a cheerleading coach, so cheer is always gonna be a hobby of mine, even though I don't coach currently. In my work, I'm very passionate about what I do and about bringing other women into the industry. Speaking with all these different women in the Women in the Boiler Industry Organization who are so passionate about what they do and bringing other women into the industry has really motivated me, because traditionally, the boiler industry is very much a male-dominated industry. Getting together with all these women who have similar paths and stories to what I did just kind of motivated me to expand my horizons and see what else is out there.