CTI Faculty and Staff

Meet the team and learn about how Champion Technician Institute transformed from a dream to reality.

Meet Andy Cross, HVAC Master Instructor and President of CTI

42+ Years of Working Experience Since 1980

Andy Cross is Champion Technician Institute’s founder and lead instructor. He has invested 42 years into the HVAC industry and is passionate about the opportunities that its careers provide. He has been sharpening the idea of CTI for over four years to provide more accessible opportunities for people who are curious about joining the HVAC trade.

Over 42 Years of Experience, Cerifications, and Accolades

Carrier University — HVAC Associate Degree
Lead Instructor for Remington College's HVAC Program in 2018
Instructor at Fortis College in 2017
General Management for Growth & Profit
Member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE)
Ferris State University Certification — Refrigerant Transition & Recovery
Alabama Certified Contractor's License
State of Alabama Certified Master Gas Fitter
Graduate of Carrier System Design Course
Southeast Technical College — Industrial Electricity
Alabama Power Heat Pump School — Troubleshooting Heat Pump Refrigeration Systems
Alabama Power Heat Pump School — Management 2000 Course
Barber Colman Energy Management Course — Supervisor (DDC Controls)
Barber Colman Energy Management Course — Network 2100 (DDC Controls)
Bryant Load Calculation Course
Bryant Heat Pump Certification Courses
Bryant Duct Design Schools
Alabama Power Certificate – Troubleshooting Heat Pump Electrical Systems
Bacharach Institute of Technical Training – Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Training
Alabama Sheriff’s Reserve Association Certificate of Completion

RE Michel Certification – TXV Charging & Installation
RE Michel Certification – UTICA Board and Gas Furnace
Alabama Sheriff’s Reserve Association Certificate of Completion
RE Michel Certification – TXV Charging & Installation
RE Michel Certification – UTICA Board and Gas Furnace
Carrier Refrigeration Course — Chillers — Houston, TX
Carrier/Parker Electronic System Specialists Training Program (DDC Controls)
Carrier Comfort Network Contractor Sales Training Course (DDC Controls)
Sporlan Certification — Valve Specialist
Certificate of Completion to ASHRAE Professional Development Seminar – Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing
NBI Certification — Air Balancing
Comfort Institute — Mold and Moisture Diagnostics and Solutions
Puron Certification — Bryant
Bryant Certified — Duct Cleaning
Maio Marketing Certificate: "Seeing is Believing"
Ferris University Certificate: Type II, IV
Maio Marking Certification: "Winning in the Field"
Alabama Power Heat Pump School — PC and Basic Word Processing
Future University — General Management for Growth Training
Future University — Maintenance Service Technician Sales Training
Future University — Advanced Residential Replacement Sales Training

Future University — Residential Replacement Sales Training
Success Academy — Professional Technician Honor
American Standard Certification – Low Voltage Wiring
RE Michel Certification – 410A Installation & Safety
American Standard Certificate – AIR Flow
Mobile Supply Company Certificate – Duct Cleaning Procedures
Future Certification – Business Owner’s Survival School
American Society of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineer’s Certification: “Preventing Common Minimum Standard Violations”
Professional Safety Technician Certificate – “Focus and Finding Failure”
Career Track Certificate – “Managing Emotions Under Pressure”
Successware 21 – “Certificate of Training”
Member of:
- Contractor Success Group, Inc.
- Contractor Success Group, Inc. — Advanced HVAC Marketing Boot Camp
- Gree New Technology Training — Mini and Multi Split Systems
- Daiken "Ductless Residential & Light Commercial Systems"
- American Standard Certificate — "Heat Pump Diagnostics R-22 and R-410A"

Meet Cindy Pierce

Admissions & Finance Specialist

Cindy will likely be your first contact at CTI. She will help you through your enrollment process, as well as guide you through financial planning. She has an extensive background in post-secondary education, and has held roles such as registrar, admissions advisor, and financial planning specialist. She has a passion for helping people to achieve their goals and guiding them to success. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is also a Certified Life and Relationship Coach.

Cindy is here to help guide you through your journey with Champion Technician Institute. Contact us today to get started.

Why We Built Champion Technician Institute

The Problem

The idea for Champion Technician Institute came after Andy identified shortcomings in other trade schools’ HVAC programs. He found that schools would not administer the exams necessary for students to receive HVAC certifications, or that the programs offered were exceedingly long-winded and time-consuming.

Sometimes, making a rapid career change isn’t simply a desire - it’s a necessity. Students need an expedited training process without skimping on the knowledge needed to establish themselves as competent employees.

The Solution

Today’s economy feels volatile, leaving many anxious about their future. Career-hopefuls can find stability in the HVAC career as there is always an unwavering demand for technicians. Providing quality HVAC services and repairs can provide employees with a comfortable living and job security, but proper education is necessary to achieve these things. CTI's instructors are dedicated to establishing relationships with students based upon effective communication and make it a priority to eliminate any intimidation associated with educational settings.

The Vision

Andy’s vision for Champion Technician Institute is to provide each student with a high-level education. The school curriculum is designed to equip students with the tools necessary to succeed in an HVAC career within just 30 days. CTI emphasizes flexible scheduling and class formats so that its courses are more accessible to a wide variety of students.

The Promise

By the time students complete courses at CTI, they should be confident in their capabilities as certified HVAC technicians. Each course is guaranteed to sharpen and broaden students’ skill sets.
CTI prioritizes student success. Instead of charging students costly course fees for lengthy programs that do not even guarantee certification, CTI provides students with financial aid opportunities, certification courses, and lesson plans that get them into the HVAC industry as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions about registration, please call us at (800) 882-9281 or fill the form on our website’s contact page.