As we close out Enertech’s 25th year of business, I’ve got some exciting news to share. I’m transitioning from full-time to part-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2022. Tim Wright and Dan Jackson are taking on a co-leadership role to oversee day-to-day operations.
In Dan’s new position as Chief Operating Officer (COO), he’ll oversee Accounting, Engineering, and Manufacturing, as he’s already done or worked closely with over the last 15+ years. Tim, as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), will oversee departments he’s been heavily involved with from his start at Enertech 11 years ago – Customer Solutions, Technical Services, Marketing, and Sales.
The biggest questions I’ve received so far are, “why step back and why now?” I’ve been the President/CEO at Enertech since we started the company in 1996. My kids often refer to Enertech as the third sibling in our family. It’s ingrained into who we are as a family unit and as individuals. My wife, Karen, started Enertech right alongside me, working here until just recently when she retired to help out with our grandchildren, and each of our kids joined us when they entered the workforce (they’d tell you that was at the ripe age of 12). Enertech has truly been our home, so this change is bittersweet, to say the least.
So, to address the “whys.” As I close in on celebrating the 32nd anniversary of my 30th birthday, I’m simply ready to live life at a slower pace. I’d like to travel more, although my family would tell you I do enough of that as it is, work on projects around the house and farm, snow ski and water ski, chase the horizon on my Harley, spend more weekday time with my grandkids, and help my kids with their new business endeavor, Supplied Energy. I think most people call this retiring, but if you know me, you know I love my job so I can’t give it up entirely just yet.
If I’ve done anything right at Enertech, it’s been hiring people who are smarter and more talented than I am. Honestly, they haven’t needed me around here for years, dare I say ever. And, I don’t say that in a self-deprecating way. Our Enertech family knows how to take care of our customers and each other. They’ve never needed me to tell them how it’s done because passion, consideration, loyalty, a commitment to quality, kindness, and a solutions-oriented mindset are part of who each person is. But that hasn’t stopped me from giving my infamous “the Enertech world according to me” speech for all new hires – thanks for humoring me and listening intently to all those that have endured one.
We wouldn’t have made it a quarter of a century, or heck, even 6 months, without our customers’ feedback and business. When I say the Enertech family is the best in the business, I mean our customers, too. Whether it’s been dealer trips, product councils, tradeshows, GEO Exchange and IGSHPA events, or trainings, it’s been a privilege to know our customers at a personal and professional level. I often refer to Enertech customers as our “customer friends” for a reason. You guys are the reason Enertech is synonymous with “heat pumps made better.” Without the feedback you give that we can work together and implement, we wouldn’t be releasing new, innovative products or updating existing ones to reach the "made better" benchmark.
Enertech started with one guiding principle: people come first. This transition stays true to that value. With Tim’s strengths in creating strong relationships and directing sales strategy, we’ve increased our revenue in excess of 250% just within the last 5 years, and have been selected as the primary provider for many all-geothermal residential developments. Dan oversaw the growth of our manufacturing facility from 20,000 sq. ft. to 80,000 sq. ft., has led our engineering team to release innovative products under tight, seemingly impossible deadlines, and guided us to be certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. All official reflections of the quality management, environmental, and health and safety standards we’ve followed all along. Simply put, Tim and Dan uphold our guiding principle in their words and actions, delivering for our customers whenever and wherever we can.
I’ll still be around supporting Dan and Tim in this transition, so don’t jump for joy thinking you’ve gotten rid of me just yet. I look forward to seeing what these two accomplish with the continued support and ongoing feedback from our team and customers. There’s no doubt in my mind that the best is yet to come. But, you don't have to take my word for it, take a look at our 2021 Year in Review video to see what the Enertech team accomplished in one year alone.