Episode 351

In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Greg Crumpton, VP at ServiceLogic and founder of DeepKnowledge, to explore how curiosity and contrarian thinking drive innovation, why respecting local expertise beats corporate control, and how modern leaders can build cultures where people actually want to stay. Whether you're navigating acquisition-led growth, scaling teams across generations, or struggling with the shift from command-and-control management, this conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom on trust, mutual respect, and what it really takes to lead today.  

What You'll Learn

• Greg’s path from second generation HVAC technician to business owner and VP at a 3 billion dollar service organization
• What happened after the acquisition, why a six month plan became twelve years, and what that says about culture and mutual respect
• Why local operations often drive the real value, plus what a lean corporate team enables
• The difference between controlling partners and setting shared expectations for service delivery
• What it means to be a constructive contrarian, when it helps, and when it can hurt
• How leadership has shifted from being the “answer holder” to being the person who removes hurdles and supports teams
• Why generational differences are shaping communication, retention, and leadership priorities

About the Guest(s)

Greg Crumpton is Vice President at Service Logic and a lifelong HVAC professional who began his career in the trades and later built a successful service business from the ground up. After selling his company to Service Logic, Greg became a key voice connecting corporate strategy with frontline reality. He is also the founder, curator, and writer at DeepKnowledge, and host of the Straight Out of Crumpton podcast, where he explores leadership, service, and the real world decisions that shape performance.

Follow Along

• 00:03:04 Greg’s HVAC roots, from second generation beginnings to apprenticeship and early career moves
• 00:07:45 Building Airtight Mechanical from the garage, scaling the business, and selling to Service Logic
• 00:09:55 Life after acquisition, why Greg was asked to step back in, and how a six month plan became twelve years
• 00:18:48 The Service Logic operating model, local culture, and why a lean corporate team works
• 00:29:09 Being a constructive contrarian, curiosity, kaizen, and challenging the status quo with intent
• 00:44:53 Modern leadership, supporting teams, and the mindset behind “love people and show the way”

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