Mr. Leichter has over twenty three years experience in the heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical industry. James is a
certified Master Mechanic.
He began as nothing more than a helper. He later went on to own his own HVAC
business. James is a skilled service and installation technician in the HVAC,
refrigeration, plumbing, appliance, and electrical industries.
Today he is one of the most well-known consultants and experts in the industry.
Mr. Leichter performs seminars and training sessions all over the
James has designed and helped write several software programs for the
contracting industry. They include Easy Load Calc, Proposals Plus, Beyond
Breakeven, Knowledge Mark, Overhead Calc, Easy Labor Calc, Conversions Plus,
Flat Rate Plus®, and the multiple award winning Total Office Manager®.
Mr. Leichter has been written about in local newspapers. He has served as a
local “Radio Expert” on HVAC and has made television appearances as an industry
expert.
James maintains one of the largest websites of its kind in the HVAC industry at
www.mrhvac.com. This website is packed with
management related materials, financial calculators, advice, and more.
Mr. Leichter is basically a self taught professional. In 1983, he graduated from
Licensed Master Mechanic
Aptora Corporation
Location:
Position Held: President/Founder
Period: 1995 to Present
Aptora is a software, consulting and book publishing company specializing in the
heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing industries.
Provides flat rate pricing software and pre-printed flat rate books. Also offers
award winning accounting/dispatching software for the medium-size service
business. Provides training on software programs, business management,
technician performance, human resource management and more. Travels across the
United States of America performing seminars and training.
Aptora was voted one of the top 25 small businesses in Kansas City by the Small
Business Journal and voted one of the best places to work. Aptora was named one
of Ingram’s Magazine's 100 fastest growing businesses, headquartered in the
greater Kansas City region and a 2008 Corporate Report 100 winner.
Envirotech Heating &
Cooling
Location:
Position Held: President/Founder
Period: 1988 to 1995
This company was engaged in most facets of residential and light commercial air
conditioning, heating, refrigeration, ventilation and service and replacement
work.
US Mechanical Corporation
Location:
Position Held: President/Co-Founder
Period: 1986 to 1988
This company was engaged in most facets of commercial air conditioning, heating,
refrigeration, ventilation and service and replacement work.
Location:
Position: Installation Technician
Period: 1985 to 1986
Mr. Leichter has been a keynote speaker for many events. Here are some
highlights:
Missouri Heat Pump Association
Springfield MO
Service Department Management Seminars.
HVAC Comfortech
Nashville, TN
Presented a session on “Flat Rate Pricing: Why So Many Contractors Don’t Use It”
QSC Program
Reno, NV
(Quality Service Contractors)
Conducted a section on “Implementing A Company Policy Manual”
ISH North America Trade Show
Las Vegas, NV
Seminar on “How to Hire & Retain Great Co-Workers”
ACCA National Convention
New Orleans, LA
“Performance Based Compensation”
ABC Education Conference
New Orleans, LA
(Associated Builders and Contractors)
Conducted classes on “Starting & Managing a Service Department for Mechanical
Contractors” and “Starting & Managing a Service Department for Electrical
Contractors”
PHCC- Palm Beach
Palm Beach, FL
(Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association)
Flat Rate Pricing Seminar for 10 Companies
CHCC
(
Replacement
HVAC Comfortech
Nashville, TN
Presented a session on “Benchmarking Your Business Using Financial Ratio
Analysis”
HVAC Comfortech
Nashville, TN
Participated in the “Consultant’s Round Table” and was one of only a small
handful of consultants selected to offer advice at the “Consultant’s Corner”
Mr. Leichter has conducted countless seminars and presented to thousands of
contractors all over the Unites States of
Published Inside Contractor Management in
2002. A newsletter for the professional contracting business manager.
“Why Flat Rate Pricing is a Good Idea”
Published
“Everyone’s a
Published
Published September 2005 in ServiceMagic
ADVISOR. ServiceMagic ADVISOR is monthly e-newsletter, designed to provide
helpful business tips and tools.
“Higher Technician
Published
“Why Use Flat Rate?”
Published 2002 in
“Double Your Service Profits: Become a Black Belt Contractor, Parts 1 & 2”
Published March 2003 in Contractor
“The Time to Close the
Published August 2005 in ServiceMagic
ADVISOR.
“Where Do You Draw the Line: Hiring
Family and Friends”
Published October 2005 in ServiceMagic
ADVISOR.
“Top Ten List: Why Some Home Service Professionals are Not Successful”
Published February 2006 in ServiceMagic
ADVISOR.
“Bench-Marking Your Business Using Financial Ratios”
Published in the March 2007 issue of
Contracting Business. Contracting Business is a very well respected and
popular industry magazine published to help improve life, comfort and safety.
Mr. Leichter publishes articles on his website www.mrhvac.com. Topics range from
general management to pricing and financial analysis.
Mr. Leichter has served as a business consultant to hundreds of businesses. He
has conducted comprehensive on-site evaluations and business consulting with
approximately sixty companies. He has written custom operations manuals,
feasibility studies, business valuations, and operational studies.
Mr. Leichter has written numerous publications and books. The subjects vary from
government compliance to management. Some of the titles include
Understanding the Fair Labor Standards
Act,
Understanding the Family & Medical Leave Act, Simple Accounting Principles for
Small Contractors,
and Complying with OSHA Standard
29CF1910.1200. He has also written a number of manuals and management
guides.
Mr. Leichter has served as an advisor to insurance companies, corporations and
attorneys. He has served as an expert consultant and witness in one of
ACCA: Air Conditioning Contractors of
PHCC: Plumbing Heating & Cooling
Contractors
AIPB: American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
QSC: Quality Service Contractors
HARDI: Heating, Air Conditioning &
Refrigeration Distributors International
ASP: Association of Support Professionals