Marina Mechanical Services: Solutions-Driven and People-Focused
Marina Mechanical Services has been part of the Bay Area’s commercial HVAC landscape for nearly seven decades. While the name has evolved over time, the company’s commitment to craftsmanship and customer service hasn’t changed.
Founded in 1958 by Bob Hussey as WC Sheet Metal in San Leandro, the company relocated during the BART expansion and became Marina Heating & Air Conditioning. In 1991, under Bob’s son Jim, it merged into Bay Point Control dba Marina Mechanical. Most recently, the company moved to Livermore in June 2023 and rebranded as Marina Mechanical Services — a change that reflects both growth and a forward-looking approach.
Today, Marina employs 86 team members across office and field operations, delivering comprehensive commercial HVAC services throughout the Bay Area.
The company performs primarily plan-and-spec work, partnering closely with general contractors and owners to execute complex mechanical scopes. While most projects are engineer-driven, Marina occasionally supports value engineering when opportunities arise to identify cost savings.
“We’re good at providing custoers with solutions by really listening to their problem, inconvenience or challenge they’re dealing with,” said CEO Sheri Learmonth.
Their capabilities include:
• Commercial HVACR installation
• Sheet metal fabrication and installation
• Rooftop package units andlarge-scale equipment change-outs
• Tenant improvements
• High-density residential systems
• School and public works projects
• Service, maintenance and retrofit work
That solutions-first mindset is backed by strong field expertise. Marina self-performs sheet metal fabrication and installation, giving the team greater control over quality and scheduling. Their experience in high-density residential and educational facilities has made them a trusted partner on projects where efficiency and reliability matter most.
Learmonth’s leadership eflects the same balance of technical understanding and people-first values.
Construction has always been part of her life. One grandfather was a teamster, another a boilermaker and her father was a machinist. She started helping out at the machine shop her father managed in the summers at just 12 years old, though she didn’t initially see construction as her future.
After high school, Learmonth tried to land a secretarial role, but didn’t pass the test due to limited experience.
“My boyfriend at the time, his dad owned a construction company, so he gave me the test he would give his field crew,” she said. “I was the only person who had ever gotten 100% on the test and he hired me on the spot.”
That opportunity launched her career in construction finance, and she’s been in the industry ever since. She first joined Marina in the early 2000s, returned eight years ago to help guide the company through its ESOP transition and now serves as CEO.
“For me, Marina is about the people. Our employees are what make us successful and making sure they feel appreciated and heard, that’s everything,” Learmonth said.
In addition to leading Marina, Learmonth serves as a Commissioner on the California Apprenticeship Council and chairs the Equal Opportunity in Apprenticeship Committee.
A Bay Area SMACNA member since the early 2000s, Marina values the relationships built through the association.
“The best part is the camaraderie and the help members give each other,” Learmonth said. “Even though we’re competitors, you build friendships and have a network of mentors ready to help you through common challenges.”
Nearly 70 years after its founding, Marina Mechanical Services continues doing what it does best: delivering dependable mechanical systems, solving problems creatively and investing in the people who make it all possible.