With more than 20 years of experience in industrial vacuum systems, Chris is well-versed at moving teams from plan to product. He started out installing and commissioning equipment, rose into senior leadership, and has continued to invest in his learning through various leadership certifications and advanced training in mechanical system design and specifications. A journey spanning multiple continents, his career has taken him from the heat of Texas to the temples of Seoul, negotiating orders across the world. Through it all, building relationships has always been his favorite part of the job.
At DuroVac, Chris’ mission is to turn goals into execution, remove customer roadblocks, and build a value-driven team that lifts the industry standard. As Sales Manager, Chris works cross-functionally, collaborating with all departments to standardize how the DuroVac team engages with customers and partners from first call to install.
Even when away from the office, Chris is still waist-deep in machines; he’s rebuilt over 50 cars and races competitively whenever he can. Give him a problem and a tool cart, then step back and watch him in his element.
Scott’s BBA in Marketing and Finance laid the foundation for an industrial sales career that has been going strong since 1994. A professional problem solver, he’s proud to be a go-to resource for customers who need help. He’s motivated to make sure customers are better off after working with him, and he considers a personal referral the highest compliment a sales rep can get.
Scott recently bought his dream car, so one of his recent pastimes is going for drives. Otherwise, he always looks forward to the next family game night or movie night. His favorite quote reflects his passion for making a difference at the individual level: “A small part of something is better than a big part of nothing.”
Danielle Ross has spent nearly twenty years in manufacturing, backed by an MBA in Marketing, and she’s built a reputation for connecting customer challenges with the right solutions. Her career has taken her through operations, sales, and marketing, giving her a grounded understanding of what it really takes to keep plants running smoothly and teams working safely. That mix of experience makes Danielle more than a salesperson—she’s a solutions partner who understands the reality on the shop floor.
What sets Danielle apart is her approach. For her, sales is less about the pitch and more about building clarity and confidence. Every proposal, presentation, or follow-up call is designed to keep the focus on what matters most: solving problems and making the buying process as straightforward as possible. In her role as Regional Sales Manager—after five years shaping the brand experience at DuroVac—Danielle works closely with the sales team to create tools, resources, and strategies that show customers the long-term value of their investment. She’s committed to making sure customers don’t just buy a system; they gain a partner who supports them at every step of the decision-making process.
Outside of work, Danielle brings the same discipline and energy to her personal life. Danielle’s free time is all about nature and the outdoors — in fact, she has hiked all 46 peaks in the Adirondack mountains and can often be found enjoying Lake Champlain. She’s an early-morning runner, a hiker, and a hands-on parent, always balancing drive with creativity. Whether she’s leading a customer conversation or training for her next challenge, Danielle approaches it with focus, energy, and a results-driven mindset.
With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and 8 years of inside sales experience, Dai’s approach blends the technical side of vacuum sales with the human aspect. He’s driven to connect with people, understand their day-to-day operations, and help them find the most sustainable way to save time and money.
In his free time, Dai flexes his competitive muscles in sports like badminton, basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, soccer — you name it. When it’s time to unwind, you’ll find him playing board games with friends and family. His biggest personal goal is to be financially free by 45, and he’s not afraid to work hard to get there. All of this should explain his favorite quote: “Work hard, play harder!”
Nelson brings over 20 years of experience in the rough vacuum world, working in many different industries providing vacuum solutions. He started his journey as a trades person working in the manufacturing industry, before he became a sales professional, he was a customer first. This has always given him a unique prospective from both sides of the table, ensuring the best result is a win/win.
Nelson spends his free time around family and friends, a sports fan and loves his classic rock n roll. Nelson has volunteered for close to 20 years with different youth sports organizations, these experiences have given him a great appreciation of the importance of teamwork and personal development. Not surprisingly his favorite quote is “If you chase perfection, you will catch excellence” -Vince Lombardi-
Shivam’s background in automotive engineering and management from Ontario Tech shaped both his technical aptitude and his talent for communicating complex concepts with ease. In the field, he is the first point of contact, asking sharp questions, listening closely, and translating what he hears into clear actions for engineering. A natural partner for customers who need practical answers fast, he meets every issue with enthusiasm and curiosity, always thinking up ways to find the best solution.
Today, Shivam collaborates closely with his DuroVac teammates while building out territory and expanding growth in Western Canada. He measures success by how quickly a team can move from issue to implementation, and by how confidently operators can use the system he recommends them.
Outside of work, Shivam works on the details that win rounds, practicing his short game and scoping out his future project car. It’s all driven by the same mantra: “Focus on the now.”
For Christel, creative impact starts with finding a rhythm that drives results and lasts beyond the moment. Whether she’s analyzing data to shape marketing strategy or creating designs that bring the DuroVac brand to life, Christel draws on her background in Media Arts and Communications from Emerson College and the University at Buffalo to ensure every project is grounded in connection, clarity, and consistency.
A long-time violinist, Christel brings an instinct for timing and detail that helps DuroVac speak to the right people, in the right way, at the right time. Spot an Away symbol next to her name? She’s probably sweating it out in Pilates or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen—recharging her creative flow and her vision for what’s ahead.
As DuroVac’s Parts Guru, John is our in-house specialist for parts, hoses, tools, and accessories. He treats the Parts Department as an extension of the customer’s facility team, growing alongside their needs and providing the kind of after-service support that builds real relationships. Known for being approachable (and highly talkative!) John delivers solutions fast, encouraging questions and conversations while guiding people to the right tools, manuals, and answers.
Got a call from him in your voicemail? You can be sure he’s checking in on you and your system first; his aim is to keep Parts from feeling like a pressure-driven sales effort, and more like the customer-first service it is.
Off the clock, you’ll catch John behind the camera, getting creative and capturing memories at his children’s activities for his family and other parents. His favorite quote? “Perfection rarely exists. As such, practice does not make perfect — practice makes permanence.”
