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Greg Vander Werff

Co-Owner of ThermalTech, Journeyman Technician

“Papa Bear”

 

Without a doubt, Greg takes the prize for being the most experienced at ThermalTech. In fact, he has had a part in training all our current Techs. (Not calling him old, just experienced). He started in the industry right out of college, after studying at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. He spent 10 years working for a large company in Edmonton, earning his stripes as a top Refrigeration Mechanic before moving out to BC in 2002 with his wife Heather and their three sons. Chilliwack proved to be a perfect fit for our prairie boy, and he developed deep roots in the Fraser Valley, raising his boys and slaying refrigeration dragons, but always remaining a staunch Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. 

 

In 2014, he and James teamed up to form a service-based HVAC-R company with a focus on repairs and preventative maintenance to save money and downtime for local Fraser Valley businesses. Greg is an awesome teacher, and is kept busy training a new generation of Refrigeration Techs and sorting out some of the more challenging mechanical puzzles at ThermalTech. When he’s not busy at work he is bike riding, smoking meat, and spending time with his wife and family. He is very proud of the newest addition to the family tree, his adorable grandson.

James Henry

Co-Owner of ThermalTech, Journeyman Technician

“Sometimes Superman”

James is ThermalTech’s do-all guy.  There is not a job in HVAC/Refrigeration he hasn’t done, from digging trenches to office work, and he’s probably figured out a way to get it done faster and more efficiently.  (Hence the Superman title, at least when he is in Bev’s good books). Like Greg, he also hails from the Prairies, but was lured to British Columbia by mild winters, outdoor adventures, and his wife Candice, who was born and raised in Chilliwack. 

 

James started in the industry in 2004 to try something new and found it to be a perfect match for his desire to do a physical job but also “nerd out” on science.  He was Greg’s apprentice for 5 years, working during the day and reading textbooks at night, until he became a Journeyman Refrigeration Mechanic in 2009.  Since then, he has continued to hone his skills and in 2014 decided to take the plunge with his co-worker and friend Greg to start up ThermalTech as joint owner-operators. Today, he keeps busy on the tools and in sales, consulting with Bev on the nuts and bolts of HVAC-R.  James and Candice have two kids and have passed down the HVAC obsession to their oldest (so far), who has decided to learn the trade as an apprentice. James is a pretty energetic guy, so he likes to be active in his spare time.  You can often find him at the gym, rock-climbing, lifting weights, and avoiding cardio.

Bev Smith

Sales & Operations

“The Boss”

A little background on Bev:  she is certifiably awesome. In fact, when Greg and James started their business as a two-man operation, their number one goal was to hire Bev — as soon as they knew they knew they could afford to pay her.  They had all worked together in the past, and knew they made a great team.  It took just over six months, and Bev was working in another industry, but the guys managed to entice her back into HVAC, taking advantage of the soft spot she still had for “her boys” in her heart.  True to form, Bev went right to work, streamlining operations, handling customer service with her trademark charm, and growing ThermalTech into the well-oiled machine she knew it could be. 

 

She started in HVAC 25 years ago (she claims she started when she was 5, and we don’t question it), and has acquired a deep knowledge of the industry.  That knowledge, her organization skills, and her genuine fondness for ThermalTech’s customers makes Bev indispensable around here.  As dispatcher and office manager, she is the one who keeps us all in line. Bev is an avid gardener, renovator, hiker and “dog mom” in her beautiful hometown of Hope, BC, where she lives with her husband, Victor, Sammi the dog, and Cocoa the cat/office paperweight.

Dan Moore

Journeyman Technician

“Dan-O”

Here’s a strange fact about Dan:  Some people have called him a unicorn, a name he does not exactly approve of but we think he should bear proudly.  That is because he is the carrier of not one, but three Red Seal Certifications! The nickname may not exactly match his macho image, but he has worked hard to get all those tickets, and it is a pretty rare accomplishment (therefore, a unicorn). The first one was in electrical, an industry he spent 10 years in, moving up to become a foreman for industrial, commercial, and residential jobs. 

 

He was happy doing that until his friend James was getting swamped with his growing business and needed some help. James respected that Dan had already had a solid background as an electrician and was sure his skills would transfer to becoming an awesome HVAC/R technician.  Somehow James persuaded Dan to go back to school (again) as a mature student and get two more tickets — as a Gas Fitter and Refrigeration Mechanic in 2018. Dan became ThermalTech’s expert on electrical problems, generously lending his extra expertise in that area when called for. We get many compliments from customers on Dan’s impeccably neat work and gentlemans manners, and we feel so fortunate he agreed to join the ThermalTech team. Dan grew up in Chilliwack, where his family has lived her for many generations. He and his wife Dani have proudly raised their kids in Chilliwack as well. Dan loves the great outdoors, and if you ask him, he might share some of his favourite hiking, fishing, and campfire spots in the area.

Adam Wilson

Journeyman Technician

“The Cool Guy”

Adam’s reputation as a top notch sheet metal installer led to him being recruited by ThermalTech in 2018.  As it turned out, he started the new job in the middle of a very busy season, but his calm, laid-back nature helped him to sail through that summer without so much as a raised eyebrow. He still impresses us with his grace under any pressure. We have never seen him break his cool!

 

Currently, Adam has recently worked hard to finish up his Red Seal Certificate in Refrigeration and we are proud to welcome him back as a full-fledged Journeyman. He is joining Dan’s status as a “Unicorn” with three tickets. (We are starting a herd.) He will add that distinction to his already long list of skills and accomplishments, which includes fearlessly tackling any job we throw at him, turning ductwork into artwork, and growing a pretty mean beard.  Of course, Adam’s most important job title is Dad. He and his wife stay busy raising their young family here in the Fraser Valley, and we are grateful they can share Adam with us here at ThermalTech.  When he gets a chance, Adam enjoys traveling with the family everywhere from exotic tropical places to camping spots here in BC.  He looks forward to hunting season all year and is hoping to have more time for that after he is finished his final schooling this year.  

Dominik Henry

 Apprentice

“The Young Gun”

Dominik is a fresh face around here but a familiar one — as James’ oldest son he has grown up right along with ThermalTech. Dominik started learning the science behind refrigeration at the tender age of 4 when he would watch his Dad studying to pass his Apprenticeship exams and wanted to get involved. He was the only kid at preschool who would draw a picture of the refrigeration cycle!

 

More recently, he finished his first year of Refrigeration school in 2021 and will be going back for his second year in 2022. He started working at ThermalTech in late 2020 and has been able to learn a wide variety of skills, thanks to the wide variety of talents he is surrounded by. Dominik enjoys mechanics and spends a lot of time working on and racing his vintage Japanese sports car (A Mitsubishi EVO, in case you are wondering.)