Our Team

Shane Schmidt has been with CTR since 2018, when he joined the company as General Manager overseeing all CTR operations across its three locations. With deep hands-on experience and a strong engineering mindset, Shane knows cooling towers inside and out.

Known for his sharp thinking and quick wit, Shane has a unique ability to break down complex engineering challenges into clear, practical solutions, often with a well-timed joke to keep things light. In an industry where deadlines are tight and unexpected issues are common, he remains calm, focused, and solution-driven.

Shane is passionate about building strong teams across the organization – teams that work hard, support one another, and take pride in what they do. What motivates him most is tackling tough customer challenges and delivering smart, reliable solutions, all while keeping a positive attitude and an approachable leadership style.

Brad joined CTR in 2001 and never looked back, as the pace, pressure, and constant problem-solving suited him. Over two decades later, he’s still here, still offering quick turn solutions. Being a team player, he steps in wherever he’s needed, whether that means sourcing hard-to-find materials, navigating exports, or making sure a last-minute job gets out the door on time.

Ask him what keeps him going, and the answer’s simple: no two days are the same. It’s not just a job, it’s a puzzle. Brad’s the kind of guy who won’t stop until every piece fits correctly.

Maria first joined CTR in 2010, quickly becoming a key player in building strong customer relationships and driving sales. After five years, she explored a role on the end-user side, gaining valuable perspective before returning to CTR in 2019. The timing—and the team—couldn’t have been better. With new ownership and a refreshed vision, coming back felt like the right move, both personally and professionally.

Today, Maria wears many hats. She seamlessly blends outside sales with in-house support, handling everything from phone orders and walk-in customers to coordinating across multiple locations. She manages supplies, marketing giveaways, cooling tower conferences, and event coordination. She even pitches in with purchasing, materials acquisition/delivery, and translation—whatever it takes to keep operations running smoothly.

At CTR, Maria is known for her reliability. Whether it’s a late-night issue or a weekend emergency, she’s there—no fuss, no delay.

What drives her? The team. The relationships. The shared sense of purpose. For Maria, CTR isn’t just a workplace—it’s where she thrives.

Chad joined CTR in April 2019, bringing years of hands-on field experience erecting cooling towers and similar structures. With a solid understanding of the parts and how they’re used in real-world applications, the transition into CTR was a natural fit.

He began by assisting in the development of part numbers for CTR’s new inventory system. From there, Chad expanded his role into part fabrication, intercompany sales support, and ensuring materials were delivered accurately and on time to job sites.

In the summer of 2021, CTR brought Chad on to lead operations at the Baytown, Texas facility. He already knew the work, understood the pace, and required little ramp-up time.

Today, Chad keeps operations moving day in and day out. He works alongside the team, monitors production, brings new employees on board, manages inventory, and stays closely connected with project managers. He’s hands-on, detail-oriented, and often sees challenges coming before they arrive.

Chad is known throughout CTR for his ability to perform under pressure. When lead times are tight and jobs have to ship, he finds a way to get it done. He maintains close communication with his crew to keep the shop running smoothly and ensure everyone understands their role and responsibilities.

What ultimately drives Chad is his faith and his commitment to doing things the right way. It shapes how he leads, how he treats people, and the standard he holds himself and his team to, pushing for excellence while making sure every job that leaves the shop meets CTR’s expectations.

Lesia joined CTR in 2018, bringing with her more than 35 years of industry experience. She had worked alongside many members of the CTR team long before officially joining the company, so when the opportunity came, it didn’t feel like a new job but it felt like family.

Most days, Lesia is already working by 6 a.m. She values the quiet hours before sunrise, using that time to stay focused and get ahead before the phones start ringing. And if something critical needs to be handled over the weekend, she doesn’t hesitate, she takes care of it.

While her primary role is purchasing, Lesia also receives all incoming inventory, supports accounts payable, and ensures that the right parts are delivered to the correct locations with zero confusion and no delays. Her attention to detail and follow-through help keep operations running smoothly.

When urgent situations arise, such as overnight parts needed for an emergency crew, Lesia acts immediately. If running freight herself is what it takes to keep a job on track, that’s exactly what she’ll do. She understands that one missed delivery can cost thousands, and she takes that responsibility seriously.

Ask anyone at CTR, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Lesia is always there when you need her. Call her anytime, and she answers.

But for Lesia, the best part of the job is the people. Whether she’s working remotely or walking through the Baytown shop, hearing “Hello, Miss Lesia” from the team is a constant reminder of why she loves being part of CTR.