Here is the truth I have seen time and time again: most businesses do not struggle with ideas, they struggle with execution. The gap between what we know and what we consistently do is where businesses either grow or stall.
With more than 40 years of industry experience, Specht brings a deep and well-rounded understanding of the trades, having worked across nearly every facet of the plumbing and HVAC industry — from a family-owned contracting business to national service providers, manufacturing, and private equity.
The collaboration focuses on workforce optimization, a core Trimble value that addresses the widening skills gap by making professional technology more accessible.
Brian Bartlett will transition to COO leadership as Jake Fegely prepares to retire.
April 14, 2026
Bringing 29 years of operational and managerial leadership experience, Bartlett joined Cooney Brothers in September of last year with the plan to eventually assume the COO role after gaining a full understanding of the company’s operations.
One often-overlooked factor in technology adoption is how the human brain responds to change. We’re naturally wired to seek familiarity and avoid uncertainty, especially in high-pressure environments like the trades. When new systems are introduced without context or preparation, the brain reads that change as a threat, triggering resistance or disengagement. That reaction isn’t stubbornness; it’s human nature.
For years, leadership in the trades was defined by grit, hustle, and sheer willpower. If you worked harder, stayed longer, and pushed through, you were considered a strong leader. And while work ethic will always matter in plumbing, the demands of today’s workforce are calling for something more.