Lior Zeevi: East to West
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SAN JOSE — After starting his HVAC career on the East Coast, Lior Zeevi decided to pack up and head west. “I began my HVAC career in 2003 while I was living in Miami, Florida,” he recounts. “What drew me to the industry was an interest in the science of HVAC, particularly air conditioning. Pretty much everyone has air conditioning in Florida, so there was plenty of work, and I ended up opening my own HVAC company. In 2012, I sold that business and moved to the Bay Area, where I started a new company.”
As he became more familiar with his new environment, Lior noticed some new opportunities to expand his professional repertoire. “I discovered that a lot of homes in the Bay Area have asbestos in the ducting,” he explains. “That got me interested in the field of asbestos removal, and I ended up becoming licensed to provide that service to my customers. Additionally, I found there was a lot more opportunity for upgrading insulation in the Bay Area, as it is rarely done in Miami. So, I became licensed for doing that as well.”
Today, as owner of HVAC & Insulation Gurus, Lior says his favorite part of his job is making his clients’ homes more energy efficient. “By replacing insulation and installing new heating and cooling systems, we help our customers save a lot of money over the long term. So, besides the satisfaction of doing a good job, it feels good to know I’m making a positive impact on people’s lives.”
A resident of San Jose (where he lives with his wife, Lee, and their two young children), Lior spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I enjoy outdoor activities like camping, off-roading with ATVs, boating and jet skiing,” he says. “Our kids are still very young, so it has been fun to introduce them to these new things. Of course, sometimes I like to just stay home and relax.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Lior says he’d see the world. “I would take four or five months and just travel. There are lots of places I want to see, like Thailand and Australia, so it would be a great opportunity to do that.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee.
Q: What’s your favorite season?
A: Summer.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I’m an early bird.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: I collect cars. I have a 1984 Mercedes-Benz SL convertible, a 1968 Mustang GT and a 1965 Pontiac GTO.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Oren’s Hummus in Sunnyvale.
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