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.
With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and 8 years of inside sales experience, Dai’s approach prioritizes bringing a human touch to the the technical side of vacuum sales. Driven by connecting with people, Dai finds he makes the most impact searching for the perfect fit, shifting effortlessly between application detail and customer goals. Drawing on the hands-on engineering experience that sharpens his perspective, he makes a habit of taking the time to fully assess the problem before diving in, always surfacing with the most sustainable solution.
In his free time, Dai flexes his competitive muscles in sports like badminton, basketball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, soccer — whatever you name, he’s ready to win. When it’s time to unwind, you’ll find him playing board games with friends and family. His personal goals are simple and steady: be persistent, retire soon, and build the financial freedom to enjoy both. His favorite quote explains it all: “Work hard, play harder!”
Have a tough cleanup challenge in the West? Nelson can help you figure out a solution that actually works.
Bringing over 20 years of experience in the rough vacuum world, Nelson began his career as a tradesperson in manufacturing—a customer before a sales professional. He knows what it feels like to be on the other side of the table, and as such, he makes sure each solution is a win for everyone. In his role leading the charge in the Western USA, Nelson partners with customers to solve real-world cleanup and compliance challenges. From large spill recovery and dust mitigation to everyday housekeeping, his approach is simple, but effective: listen first, map the requirements, and deliver a system tough enough to satisfy the whole team.
A huge sports fan, Nelson has volunteered with different youth sports organizations for almost two decades, experiences he considers having given him a great appreciation of the importance of teamwork and personal development. In his free time, Nelson can be found listening to classic rock n roll, and spending time with his family and friends. He underscores his guiding principle with a motto he carries with him: “If you chase perfection, you will catch excellence” — Vince Lombardi
Hailing from small-town North Carolina, Melissa pairs Southern charm with industrial grit forged by decades of navigating manufacturing and distribution sectors. With over twenty years of field experience and degrees in Business and Finance, she uses operational insight to bridge the gap between complex facility applications and the bottom line, while never losing sight of the people behind the work.
For Melissa, the heart of any successful project is time spent working alongside crews, mapping out heavy-duty systems for demanding industrial environments. Guided by a belief in doing right by others, she does her best work close to the action, solving problems thoughtfully and approaching every situation with the kind of care that builds trust and makes customers feel valued long after installation is complete.
Outside of work, Melissa’s love of fitness, healthy living, and travel shapes the energy she brings to work each day. To her, a full life means staying active, staying curious, and making space for both challenge and enjoyment.
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.”
A mechanical engineer by training, Caleb’s career began with the U.S. Army before moving into industrial maintenance and ironworking. Later, as a Maintenance and Project Engineer in a high-volume aluminum recycling plant, he managed projects around conveyors, combustible dust, and spilled material – exactly the kind of environment DuroVac is built for. In fact, Caleb first came to DuroVac as a customer, looking for the right central vacuum system to help tackle those same plant floor challenges.
His experience as a customer now shapes how he works as a Regional Sales Manager. Caleb knows what he needed from a salesperson, and he knows he found it at DuroVac: someone willing to walk the plant, watch the process, listen to the people closest to the problem, and understand what the application really needs. Today, he’s the salesperson he needed, helping customers across his territory find the right solution with the perspective of someone who’s been in their shoes.
Outside of work, Caleb and his wife love to travel, making time for a few trips a year. When he’s closer to home, you’ll usually find him at the forge; he’s a blacksmith who makes home and garden décor for local craft fairs, with hopes to move into architectural iron restoration someday.
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.”