Gentry Service Group

Bios

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  Duane Gentry

  Owner / Team Leader

  Duane Gentry is the owner and “team leader” for Gentry Heating and Cooling. A third generation owner, he brings many years of experience to the company. After undergraduate and graduate school, Duane spent 10 years working for larger corporations. In 1997 he returned home to run the family’s business. His areas of expertise include residential and commercial design as well as Indoor Air Quality. Duane enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years and their two children. He works with the young people in his church and serves on a number of boards and volunteer organizations within our community. His passions include mountain biking, swimming, and running.

  Link: Duane Gentry

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  Dean Owensby

  Comfort Advisor

  Dean offers many years of professional experience in HVAC and customer service. He is OSHA certified and also holds the distinctions of being certified in Wrightsoft Duct design and a graduate of the Carrier Comfort College. A native of Asheville, Dean is very active in his local church as a Sunday School teacher and deacon. He and his entire family are very musical. Dean sings and plays the drums! He has acted as a volunteer for the North Buncombe High School band boosters and is a supporter of the WNC Down Syndrome Association. His hobbies include fishing and summer vacations with his family.

  Link: Dean Owensby

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  John Tate

  Comfort Advisor

  John Tate is a true local. Born and raised in the Asheville area. He has worked as a heating and AC technician / installer since 1997. He is new to sales, but brings his years of hands-on technical experience and knowledge to all his Gentry clients. John lives in Weaverville with his wife, two adorable children, and many pets. He has a lifelong passion for classic cars and is a very talented mechanic. He enjoys tinkering in his garage, building his koi pond, and spending time with his family.

  Link: John Tate

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  Karen Smith

  Demand Services Manager

  Karen has worked with Gentry Heating since October 2006. She and her husband moved to NC from NJ in 1995. Growing up in NJ, she always wanted to be in the fashion industry. She attended Berkeley College and received a degree in Fashion Merchandising & Management. This was a “dream job” working in New York City as a Ladies Outwear Buyer. When she met her husband, Jeff, he loved the south. He was stationed in Savannah while he was in the Navy. So they moved to Asheville and started a family – our 4 legged family of 2 cats – Marble & Bandit. “Best decision we ever made was moving to Asheville. We are very happy here.”

  Link: Karen Smith

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  Kelly Giezentanner

  Customer Service Manager

  Since joining the Gentry team in 2007, Kelly has facilitated new standards of excellence in our Energy Savings Agreement maintenance program with a special interest in the customer experience and technician logistics. She received her Associates Degree in Hospitality Management from A.B. Tech and finds her experience in the hospitality field has prepared her for the unique qualities of providing the indoor air comfort experience. She later received her B.A. in Economics at the University of North Carolina – Asheville and was a local business owner for over ten years. A native of Asheville, Kelly has always had an interest in preserving the natural resources which make our region so special. She has a strong interest in green building and sustainable living movements. She is also an artist, gourmet cook and vegetable garden enthusiast.

  Link: Kelly Giezentanner

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  Jim Nash

  Commercial Construction Manager

  Jim Nash, who has lived in Asheville since 1979, heads up the commercial construction division. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been a North Carolina licensed professional in HVAC since 1986. He has compassion for the community and frequently helps out family friends and neighbors when their heating or cooling systems fail. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 37 years, his two daughters, and his two dogs. He has a passion for Carolina basketball and football, food, and “Good and Plenty”.

  Link: Jim Nash

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  Jacob Takala

  Commercial Service and Maintenance Advisor

  Jacob Takala has been with Gentry Heating Inc. since moving to Asheville in 2012. He grew up in Wilmington, NC. Jacob enlisted in the US Army after high school where he served seven years including 3 years in the 82nd Airborne Division and one year patrolling the Korean DMZ. He was also a Korean linguist, graduating from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. His time in the Army solidified Jacob’s commitment to honor, integrity and hard work. After completing his military service in 1999, he worked for an HVAC company in Fayetteville, NC, where he was a sheet metal shop manager for ten years and then the Installation Manager, supervising a team of twenty people on a wide variety of residential and commercial construction projects throughout North and South Carolina. Jacob has over 16 years of experience installing HVAC systems for both commercial and residential properties and is an accomplished welder and fabricator. His favorite part of the job is meeting new customers and contractors in the community and assisting them with solving complex problems with creative, innovative solutions. He is committed to providing efficient, quality, innovative services in WNC. Newly married in May 2014, Jacob enjoys hiking WNC with his wife, Tina and their dogs. They are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy any adventure from zip-lining to kayaking. Jacob also enjoys making metal art, playing racquetball and softball and going to live music events. Jacob and Tina are licensed foster parents and are dedicated to helping those less fortunate in the community.

  Link: Jacob Takala

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  Jeff Granius

  Jeff Granius Residential Construction Manager

  Jeff has been in the HVAC industry since 1993. Starting from the ground floor, he has progressed into all aspects of the trade. For the last 10 years he has worked as a Lead Service Technician and Comfort Sales Consultant. Jeff holds a NC H3-1 Mechanical License and is NATE certified . A native of Tampa, Florida, Jeff attended Erwin Technical Institute for his HVAC education. He lives in Arden, NC with his wife Tina. He attends Biltmore Baptist Church and enjoys weightlifting, fishing, and being outdoors. He strives to honor God and his wife, lead courageously, and to pay it forward.

  Link: Jeff Granius

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  Mike Young

  Retail Services Manager

  Mike has worked in the residential heating and air conditioning business for 23 years. He started as an apprentice and has progressed through the ranks to the management level. He attended Blue Ridge Community College and multiple schools related to the design, service and installation of HVAC equipment. A resident of Fletcher, NC, Mike is an avid fisherman and hunter. Mike is an active member of his church and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

  Link: Mike Young

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  Crystal Core

  Crystal has worked at Gentry Heating since December 2012. A Native of the Swannanoa Valley she has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from South College Asheville. Crystal is very active in the Kids Ministry at her church. She enjoys playing softball, spending time with family and friends and being an Aunt to 3 wonderful kids.

  Link: Crystal Core

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  Juanita Birchfeild

  Juanita has been with Gentry since 2004. She was born in San Diego, California, but has lived in Asheville most of her life and graduated from Temple Christian Academy. She has attended several computer technology classes through SoftTrain and she has used her skills in Customer Service for 14+ years. She is active with her local church. She loves to spend quality time with her husband, son & daughter. Her hobbies include golf, bowling, and anything outdoors.

  Link: Juanita Birchfeild

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  Kristy

  Accounting Manager

  Link: Kristy

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  Steve Pack

  Chaplain

  Steve grew up in Asheville North Carolina. In 1996 while attending Appalachian State University he became a Christian. In 1999 he married his wife Joanna. They surrendered their lives to ministry and served for four years in China as missionaries. After that time they returned to the States as Steve pursued a Masters in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. They now have three beautiful children and Steve serves as the Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship at North Asheville Baptist Church. Steve ministers to the hurting in the church and community as well as help grow the body of believers through small group ministry. He is excited to serve as the chaplain at Gentry Heating & Cooling.

  Link: Steve Pack

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  Justin

  Link: Justin

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  Scott

  Link: Scott

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  Mike

  Link: Mike

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  Rick

  Link: Rick

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  Robert

  Link: Robert

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  Phillip

  Link: Phillip

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  Jeff

  Link: Jeff

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  Alex

  Link: Alex

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  Mike

  Link: Mike

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  Thomas

  Link: Thomas

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  Terry

  Link: Terry

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  Cole Stewart

  Shop Manager

  Link: Cole Stewart

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  PJ Summers

  Link: PJ Summers

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  Michal

  Parts Manager

  Link: Michal

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  Patrick Price

  Link: Patrick Price

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  Ken Wallen

  Link: Ken Wallen