In the HVAC industry, outstanding leadership transforms ordinary businesses into exceptional ones. As the HVAC Know It All wall of fame continues to grow, I sought out an “HVAC Boss” worthy of recognitiona leader whose approach to business sets the standard for others.
After canvassing my Facebook groups for recommendations, I discovered Wade Hamstra, Vice President of Hamstra Heating and Cooling Inc. in Tucson, Arizona. Joshua Thompson, a moderator for My HVAC Hub, provided an unsolicited testimonial about Wade that immediately caught my attention:
“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
This third-generation business owner has developed a leadership approach that has transformed a family business into a multi-million dollar operation while maintaining exceptional employee satisfaction and retention. Let’s examine what makes Wade Hamstra an exemplary HVAC leader worth emulating.
Hamstra Heating and Cooling Inc. was established in 1987 by Wade’s father and grandfather, initially focusing on residential new construction in the Tucson area. Wade, who began his career in new construction before earning his MBA in 2010, has recently transitioned from his role as Vice President after years of successful leadership.
What distinguishes Wade as a visionary leader was his strategic foresight before the 2007-2008 economic downturn. Together with his father, Wade redirected the company’s focus toward the service and retrofit marketa decision that proved crucial to their survival and subsequent growth during the recession.
This strategic pivot transformed the business completely. Today, Hamstra Heating and Cooling generates multi-million dollar revenues with approximately 70 employees, and remarkably, only 5% of their current business comes from new constructiona complete reversal of their original business model.
At the core of Hamstra Heating and Cooling’s success is an unwavering commitment to employee well-being and professional development. The company offers some of the highest wages in the industry for both field technicians and office support staff in the Tucson area.
While new service and installation personnel start with competitive compensation, Wade has created a culture where advancement happens quickly for those demonstrating commitment and skillsignificantly faster than industry averages.
The company’s investment in employees includes:
- Comprehensive health care plans
- Regular bonus opportunities
- Complete professional equipment (uniforms, cell phones, iPads)
- Extensive tool provision
- Brand new, well-maintained service vehicles
Perhaps most telling about Wade’s employee-centered approach is the company’s remarkable retention rate. Two of Hamstra’s very first employees remain with the company today, serving as field engineers who lay out projects for installation teams.
Unlike many company executives who delegate day-to-day operations, Wade maintains extraordinary involvement in all aspects of the business:
“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
Wade maintains an open-door policya tradition passed down from his father and grandfathermaking himself accessible to employees at all levels. He actively seeks and accepts constructive criticism about company operations and policies.
His personal touch extends to maintaining records of employee work anniversaries and birthdays, ensuring each team member receives cards and gift certificates on these occasions. The company also provides generous holiday bonuses to all staff members.
Wade recognizes that a successful HVAC business requires continuous learning and skill development. The company invests more than $200,000 annually in staff training programsan extraordinary commitment to professional development.
Service and installation teams participate in weekly technical training sessions and client support education. This systematic approach to ongoing education ensures that Hamstra technicians remain at the forefront of HVAC technology and service practices.
“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
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Hamstra Heating and Cooling Inc. has established itself as a premier HVAC provider in Tucson, Arizona. The company’s strategic shift to focus on service and retrofit work has proven successful, with 95% of their multi-million dollar revenue now coming from these sectors.
Their comprehensive service offerings include:
- Residential HVAC installation and replacement
- Commercial HVAC solutions
- Preventive maintenance programs
- Emergency repair services
- Energy efficiency consultations
- Indoor air quality improvements
- HVAC system design and engineering
The company’s experienced technicians provide reliable, high-quality service backed by extensive training and the latest industry knowledge, earning Hamstra Heating and Cooling a reputation for excellence throughout the Tucson area. For more information, visit their website at hamstraheating.com.
The Legacy of Exceptional Leadership
Wade’s approach to business demonstrates how thoughtful leadership transforms companies and creates opportunities for employees. Every HVAC business owner can learn from his examplebalancing strategic business decisions with genuine care for employees and clients.
Having benefited from the mentorship of his father and grandfather who established the company’s foundational values, Wade has built upon their legacy to create a thriving business that serves as a model for the industry.
From an outside perspective, it’s clear that Wade has mastered the essentials of running a successful HVAC business. But thanks to the insights provided by Joshua Thompson, we get an even more valuable inside view of how exceptional leadership creates exceptional businesses.
Keep up the great work, Wade Hamstra! The HVAC industry needs more leaders like you.