Meet the AIR EMEA Team | Get to Know Matt

Everyone has a story, and behind every role at AIR EMEA is a person whose experiences, passions, and perspective help shape who we are as a business. Welcome to the first edition of our Meet the Team series, where we're introducing the people behind AIR EMEA.

We begin with Matt, whose curiosity, problem-solving mindset, and unique journey from engineering to the HVAC industry have made him a valued member of the team. Get to know Matt, his career path, and what inspires him both in and outside of work.

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So Matt, tell us a bit about who you are and what makes you tick.

I'm Matt. I'm an American swimming in a sea of Europeans, and I ask a lot of questions.

That's probably the simplest way to explain me. I'm naturally curious, sometimes probably too curious, but that's how I work through things. I ask questions to understand what people are really trying to solve.

My cheeky Irish colleague has lovingly nicknamed me "The Questions Man."

How did you end up in this field?

Completely by accident, to be honest.

I graduated as a mechanical engineer right in the middle of the financial crisis, and engineering firms were not exactly lining up to hire people. So, I ended up in an inside sales role, which felt like a detour at the time.

Looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened. It put me between the technical side and the people side of the business. I learned how to listen, ask better questions, and translate problems into practical solutions. It was a happy accident.

With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Don't be afraid to ask questions—do you see a theme here?

When you're new, there's pressure to look like you already know everything. Nobody wants to feel stupid or seem incompetent in front of their peers. But most of the time, the question you're holding back is something someone else is wondering too, or something an experienced person thinks is so obvious that they forget it needs explaining.

So don't just be slightly curious. Be absolutely curious. Ask the extra question.

What is your role and what should people come and speak to you about at AIR EMEA?

I think it's more important for me to understand the things people are dealing with than for them to understand my job title.

If someone asks me, "What do you do?", my simple answer is: I solve problems. But that only means something once I know what they're dealing with.

So I usually try to focus the conversation on them. What are you working on? What's frustrating you? What's going right?

Once I understand where someone is coming from, the real conversation starts. Whether it's equipment, applications, customers, strategy, or just connecting a few dots, the right solution usually becomes clearer.

What's a fact about you that usually surprises people?

I'm an American married to a French woman I met in Germany, and I've lived in three countries: the US, Germany, and currently France.

Where does Germany fit in the picture?

I studied abroad there.

I was in engineering school and honestly, I was just done with school. I knew if I didn't go abroad then, I probably never would. So, I took a year, went to Germany, and studied business.

That's also where I met my wife.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I like being outside. Hiking, camping, national parks—that sort of thing.

I also like home projects, gardening, and building things. Anything where I can work with my hands and see something come together.

Now to the Essentials

Tea or coffee?

Coffee, for sure. But in the evening, you can't beat a herbal tea. Chamomile, rooibos, something like that. Always straight. No milk, no sugar.

Favourite biscuit?

An Oreo. Hands down.

It's pure sugar and chemicals and horrible for you, but it takes me straight back to being a kid in the '80s and '90s.

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Thank you, Matt, for sharing your story and giving us a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped your career and approach to problem-solving. It's the people behind AIR EMEA who make our business what it is, and we're excited to celebrate the individuals who contribute to our success every day.

This is just the beginning of our Meet the Team series. Stay tuned as we continue introducing more of the talented people across AIR EMEA, sharing their stories, career journeys, and the unique perspectives they bring to our team. We look forward to helping you get to know the people behind the business.

Connect with Matt here: Matthew Turner | LinkedIn