Married Couple Plan to Open HVAC Company After Graduation

Ashley and Johnny Haynes have always supported one another, and thanks to pathways they’ve found through Coastal Alabama Community College, they’re even more resourceful for each other and their family. The two met in high school in Ohio, but in recent years have relocated to Atmore, Ala., where they are pursuing degrees in HVAC and will soon be the first to attend — and graduate — in each of their respective families.

The Haynes homeschool all five of their children, the eldest of which is a dual enrollment student enrolled in computer animation classes at Coastal Alabama Community College’s Fairhope campus. Mom and dad have studied at the Monroeville and Atmore campuses, with Johnny earning his Associate in Applied Science in Heating and Air Conditioning in December 2024. Ashley graduates from the same program in May, and the two plan on opening their own HVAC company as soon as possible.

“Earning our degrees is not only life changing for us, but for our children as well,” Ashley said. “It changes everything because now not only do our children know that college is a possibility for them, they know Coastal is full of instructors who will help them along the way.”

She and Johnny are both members of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, as between the two of them, they’ve only received one B throughout their college academics.

“It was great for me because my girls would come to the ceremonies and see me earn awards,” said Ashley, who earned several scholarships and was named the most outstanding student in microbiology. “Besides having the piece of paper to show the kids to help motivate and inspire them, it's always good to be learning and growing.”

Originally, she had enrolled in the nursing program, and still has hopes to one day be a hospice nurse. Ashley’s initial goal was to become a nurse so she could care for Johnny, who is a disabled Army combat veteran with a heart condition, but when she realized the opportunities available through the HVAC program, she pivoted.

Their HVAC instructor in Atmore, Rob Brantley, inspired the couple to earn their associate degrees, which led to their decision to start their own business. Led by faith and belief in each other, the pair’s decision came with a mandate to do what they can to help others, which has always been a component of their relationship. The couple is researching possible apprenticeship opportunities they can offer through their business, and Johnny is enrolled in a veterans support program through the local Veterans Administration office.

“So not only are they not alone, they'll have somebody there to support them,” Ashley said. “And it will be somebody who understands and will be able to empathize and talk with them about the subjects they like to talk about that us civilians can't always relate to.”