Meet the Team

Gerald has more than 25 years of experience working in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. His experience covers all aspects of residential, commercial, and industrial applications of HVAC, dust collection, and air quality control. Gerald previously served in HVAC roles including general manager, operations manager, foreman, sheet metal mechanic and field helper for mechanical contracting companies. Gerald Allison is a licensed mechanical contractor (classification CMC) in the state of Tennessee.

Education

• Pellissippi State Community College Civil Engineering
• University of Tennessee Electrical Engineering

Licenses & Certifications

• Licensed Contractor, Classification CMC – State of Tennessee
• Graduate, Plymovent (Sweden) Clean Air Academy
• Donaldson Dust Collection Certification
• Donaldson Aercology Dust Collection Symposium
• Donaldson Torit Air Purity Academy
• DCE Technology Training Symposium
• ACT Group Trane Boot Camp
• ACT Group B-to-B 101
• BPI Building Analyst Professional

Ben Granger is a co-owner and Operations Manager for Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Ben has been in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry for over 26 years. His experience includes all aspects of commercial and industrial applications of HVAC installation, specialty fabrication and design-build of Heating and Air Systems. Mr. Granger has performed in roles of field supervisor, project manager, job foreman, sheet metal mechanic, and field helper for several well known mechanical contracting companies.

Education: 

• Phillips Community College Electrical Engineering: Graduate of Sheet Metal Layout and Fabrication
• Association of Building Contractors University

Licenses & Certifications: 

• Journeyman – Sheet Metal Layout and Fabrication
• Certified – Heavy Lift Operator
• Certified – Confined Space Safety
• Certified – Hazardous Material Handling

Dale has been with Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing since November 2014. Dale is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he played basketball and majored in Public Relations. Since then, he has owned his own business for over 13 years and later worked in management in Retail Banking. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the company and plays an important role to the company’s goals and success. Dale is active in his church and has traveled all over the US touring in Christian Music. We are proud to have Dale on the Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Team.

Michele joined Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing as a Sales Manager and Residential Comfort Consultant in June 2009. Michele provides in-home solutions for those in need of a new central heat and air system and indoor air quality improvement.

Michele has more than 15 years experience in the residential HVAC business. She moved to Knoxville from her hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she served as project coordinator for the Home Improvement division of Sears from 1999 to 2006. Prior, Michele worked as a Field Medic in the US Air Force for six years.

Michele holds an associate of science degree from Broward Community College in Davie, Florida, as well as two other associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force in Applied Science and Allied Health. She has received training in Trane, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Aprilaire, Heil, and Frigidaire products, and is qualified to compute load calculations.

Michele is an active member of ewomen network, Women in HVAC, TVA EnergyRight Program, and Business Network International.

When you are considering a new or replacement heating and cooling system or are interested in improving your indoor air quality, call Michele. She will help you sort out the options and provide a quality system that is ideal for you and your home.

Josh is from NC and has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. Josh has over 13 years’ experience in Graphic Arts and Marketing and brings a wealth of knowledge with him. He also supports the office and enjoys working with our customers. Josh enjoys fishing, the outdoors and spending time with his daughter Phenix. We are proud to have Josh on the Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Team.

Michelle joined Rocky Top in 2017. She has over 15 years in customer service experience and a fantastic ethic. Michelle supports the office and is a real pleasure to work with. She enjoys spending time with her son and family. Michelle has a wedding planned for August 2019 and is very excited! Rocky Top Air is proud to have Michelle a part of the Rocky Top Family!

Shannon comes to our office with 14 years of exceptional customer service and is always eager to assist our customers and staff with any needs they may have. Shannon enjoys attending church and spending time with her husband, 2 sons, and daughter whom she is very proud of. We are excited to have Shannon on the Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing team.

John comes to Rocky Top Air with over 10 years of Customer Service experience, with previous experience in both the plumbing and HVAC industry. TN Advanced EMT since 2009 with both field and dispatching experience. John takes excellent care of his customers and enjoys meeting their needs. He loves animals, volunteering and being outdoors. Rocky Top Air is proud to have John as part of the team!

Kristin is a great addition to Rocky Top Air. She has 6 years of customer service experience and has a passion to helping our customers and making sure their expectations are exceeded. She currently is planning a wedding in September 2019! Kristin has a little boy that she loves spending time with. Her hobbies are hiking and being outdoors. We are proud to have Kristin on the Rocky Top Air Team!

Fred has been in Heating & Air for over 25 years. Fred owned his own Heating & Cooling company for 2 years. Originally from New Jersey, he now lives in Knoxville, TN and has been here for over 5 years. During his spare time, Fred is a certified Scuba Diver as well as a Black Belt in Aikido.

His knowledge and skills are a huge asset for the Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Technical team. Fred has been with Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing since February 2015.

Graham comes to us with over 24 years experience in the HVAC industry which includes Commercial, Industrial & Residential. Chris was a Service Technician for 15 years before moving into a management role. He was a top performer in the areas of outside sales, estimation, and service management. Chris has a strong focus, building relationships with his customers and problem-solving. In Chris’s spare time he enjoys hunting, golf & off-roading. Rocky Top is very excited to have Chris as a part of our management team!

Edwin Juarez has been with Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing since we started in 2009. He has worked with our management team for over 12 years. Edwin was a member of a military SWAT team in El Salvador with some of our other employees. He also played professional soccer in El Salvador for a few years and is still an accomplished player.
Edwin has a great personality and is extremely talented in HVAC installation. He exhibits a can-do attitude that customers love. He runs projects on the residential side as well as for our commercial / industrial side of the business.

Edwin’s key to success is to work hard and do things right the first time.

Chris come to Rocky Top Air with over 24 years’ experience. Chris is an excellent technician and takes pride in his work and helping our customers. Chris is also one of our Comfort Advisors and certified in providing our customers with Heating & Cooling Replacement Options. Chris enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his kids. He loves sports and very active in him community. We are proud to have Chris on our team!

Manny Contreras has been with Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing since day one. We have worked together for over 10 years. He immigrated to the United States in the late 90’s. You will love Manny’s outgoing personality and his ready smile. We receive more customer testimonials for Manny’s job performance and quality than anyone else in the company. Manny is a highly skilled Service Technician that has learned the business from the ground up and is now a valued member of the Service Department at Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Manny loves helping people and doing what is right for the customer.

Cody has been with Rocky Top Air for over 4 years and is a Graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Cody works in our Commercial Division and is a talented technician. Cody receives great reviews from our customers and has a takes pride in his work. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Tony has over 15 years of experience in the HVAC industry and owned his own business before joining Rocky Top Air. Tony is one of our Commercial Technicians and has a fantastic work ethic along with a great personality. He is very passionate about helping our customers and building working relationships. Tony enjoys spending time with his friends and family and remodeling projects. We are proud to have Tony on the Rocky Top Air team!

Jon is one of our Residential Foreman’s and has been in the HVAC industry for over 6 years and is a great addition to the Rocky Top One-Hour Heating & Air and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing team. Jon takes pride in his work and focuses on taking care of the customer. He has an outgoing personality and enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. We are proud to have Jon as part of our team.