Key Takeaways
- Leadership Excellence: Wade Hamstra demonstrates that hands-on leadership and genuine care for employees drives multi-million dollar success in HVAC businesses
- Investment in People: Paying top wages, providing comprehensive benefits, and investing $200,000+ annually in training creates exceptional employee retention
- Strategic Vision: Pivoting from new construction to service/retrofit before the 2008 recession showcases the importance of market adaptability
- Culture of Growth: Promoting from within and maintaining an open-door policy builds loyalty – with employees who leave often returning within 6-12 months
Finding Excellence in HVAC Leadership
As the HVAC Know It All wall of fame continues to grow, I wanted to seek out an “HVAC Boss” worthy of prominence down the long and narrow hallway, where I continue to hang virtual plaques of HVAC greatness.
I canvassed my Facebook groups, looking for the right person.
Coincidentally that same afternoon, Joshua Thompson, My HVAC Hub moderator, wrote an impressive text about his boss and business owner in our admin/moderator text group.
After reading Josh’s unsolicited testimonial, my gut told me that I had found the “HVAC Boss” I was looking for.
“Just a regular dude. Always willing to drop whatever he’s doing to talk to anyone from execs to the warehouse staff. Pays the highest wages in town, pays for everyone to have monthly breakfast at Jerry Bobs, employee benefits, bonuses, always pushing to promote within, etc.”
Joshua Thompson
Meet Wade Hamstra: Third-Generation HVAC Leader
Wade Hamstra (the gentleman on the left in the blue shirt from the headline image) is the Vice President of Hamstra Heating and Cooling Inc. in Tucson, Arizona and is a third-generation business owner.
His father and grandfather started the company in 1987 and focused on residential new construction.
Wade has recently taken over leadership of the company.
Wade himself started out in new construction and eventually earned his MBA in 2010.
Strategic Business Transformation
Wade is a visionary, to say the least. Before the 2007-2008 economic crisis, he and his father turned their focus towards the service and retrofit market to avoid a heavy collapse from a dried-up economy.
This proved to be the correct decision. Hamstra Heating and Cooling now generates multi-million dollar revenues, with only 5% attributed to new construction.
The company also employs approximately 70 team members.
Building Success Through Employee Investment
Employee wages at Hamstra are among the highest in the industry for both field and support staff.
Fair wages are provided for new service and install personnel, but with the right attitude and hard work, moving up the ladder happens fairly quickly relative to other companies.
A strong focus is placed on keeping valuable staff and promoting from within.
A great example of this is that two of Hamstra’s very first hard-working employees are still with the company, serving as field engineers laying out projects for install teams.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Employees have access to:
- Bonus opportunities
- Health care plans
- Uniforms for field staff
- Cell phones and iPads
- Extensive tool provisions
- Brand new fleet-maintained vehicles
“Unlike many company owners who leave key day-to-day functions to their employees and are often scarcely seen around the office, Wade Hamstra puts in more hours than anyone else in the company. It’s extremely common for him to be working late into the evenings, and I often see his truck in the parking lot when I drive by on Saturdays and Sundays. He’s extremely driven, very intelligent, and loses sleep over employee or client issues that arise until solutions are identified and put into action.”
Joshua Thompson
Creating a Culture of Excellence
Wade maintains an open-door policy, a custom that was passed down from his father and grandfather.
He accepts constructive criticism of the company from his employees and keeps employee records of work anniversaries and birthdays. Employees receive cards and gift certificates on these occasions… Unreal!
His employees are also treated to very generous holiday bonuses.
Investment in Training and Education
Training and continued education are key to success. Wade invests well over $200,000 annually to keep staff well-trained.
Service and installation teams receive weekly technical and client support training. Only a great owner and boss can create and sustain this type of excellence. This commitment to training mirrors the importance of strategic maintenance scheduling that successful HVAC businesses prioritize to stay ahead of seasonal rushes.
Building a successful HVAC business like Hamstra requires more than just technical expertise. Property.com’s ‘Know Before You Go‘ tool helps established contractors maintain their competitive edge by providing crucial homeowner insights before every service call. With premium SEO tools and AI-powered reputation management, Property.com empowers HVAC leaders to build their legacy while focusing on what matters most – their team and customers.
“The way that employees are treated and supported at Hamstra directly correlates to staff retention. While we still suffer the same pains that our competitors do when it comes to finding and maintaining qualified field team members, it speaks volumes that a huge percentage of employees who do leave us to work elsewhere return within 6-12 months.”
Joshua Thompson
Lessons in HVAC Leadership
Hats off, Wade! Every HVAC Boss can take an example from your approach and philosophy.
You had some great mentors in your father and grandfather, and I bet they are extremely proud of your accomplishments.
From the outside looking in, it’s obvious you have this HVAC business thing figured out. The same attention to detail that Wade applies to employee development is crucial when technicians are mastering complex BMS control systems or navigating building automation interfaces.
But thanks to Josh, I’m not looking from the outside, I’m getting the meat and potatoes, and I love what I see.
Keep up the great work, Wade!
