Comfort Systems USA Names New Chief Operating Officer and Strategy Executive

Highlights

• Comfort Systems USA appointed Craig Sasser as chief operating officer effective July 1, 2026.
• Briston Blair will transition into the role of chief strategy and innovation officer.
• Trent McKenna will continue serving as president of the company.
• Craig Sasser previously oversaw the company’s North and Atlantic regional operations.
• Comfort Systems USA operates 197 locations across 143 U.S. cities.

Mechanical and electrical contractors continue adjusting leadership structures as firms expand operations, pursue growth initiatives and respond to increasing project demand across commercial and industrial construction markets.

Comfort Systems USA announced executive leadership changes that include the appointment of Craig Sasser as chief operating officer and the promotion of Briston Blair to chief strategy and innovation officer, with both changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

The leadership updates come as the company continues managing nationwide operations across HVAC, electrical and building systems contracting services.

Operations and Regional Leadership Experience

Craig Sasser currently serves as regional vice president overseeing the company’s Atlantic region and previously held responsibility for North region operations following his arrival at Comfort Systems USA in 2018.

Before joining the company, Sasser spent more than three decades working within the mechanical and electrical construction sector, including leadership responsibilities tied to Mid-Atlantic operations at a major MEP contractor.

Sasser holds a construction management degree from Purdue University and completed the Mechanical Contractors Association of America Advanced Leadership Institute program at Babson College.

Trent McKenna will remain president following the operational leadership transition.

Strategy and Innovation Oversight

Briston Blair will move from senior vice president of innovation and strategy into the newly designated role of chief strategy and innovation officer.

Blair has held several operational and strategic leadership roles within Comfort Systems USA, including regional management and corporate development responsibilities tied to growth initiatives and business strategy.

The company stated that Blair will continue focusing on strategic planning and innovation-related initiatives supporting long-term business development activities.

Comfort Systems USA provides commercial, industrial and institutional HVAC and electrical contracting services through operations in 143 cities nationwide.

Source: Comfort Systems USA.