River City Six: Tim Vandervort
Control Depot (www.controldepotinc.com) is a Honeywell Authorized Systems Distributor (ASD) that sells and supports a wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components to contractors and building owners. Tim Vandervort is an Inside Sales Representative for Control Depot.
Tell us a little about your business.
We provide innovative, cost-effective control solutions and web-based facility integration designs across a spectrum of building types in the residential and commercial markets. Control Depot is the premier controls distributor in our area, specializing in HVAC controls, and is also a member of Honeywell’s elite Diamond Distributor Club of advanced building automation distributors.
How did you get started in the business?
I started my career as an electrician in the temperature controls industry in 2008. I joined the team at Control Depot in 2014 with the idea of learning more about the industry.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Control Depot offers many solutions from HVAC controls to security and access controls, lighting controls, and even gas detection systems. My biggest challenge is staying on top of all the different solutions we offer in a fast-paced industry that’s always evolving.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Building relationships with customers. It’s so important in this business.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married for seven years to my beautiful wife Kate. We have a 5-year-old son, Easton, and a 2-year-old daughter, Cecilia. They both keep us very busy.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Deciding to go back to school and becoming an electrician were both big ones. The combination has provided me with so much more opportunity.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Most spring, summer and fall weekends, you can find me camping with my family. I also enjoy watching football and basketball.
What are you the most proud of?
My family. I have an amazing wife and loving kids.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Go big or go home.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Honest.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be fast like The Flash. There are not enough hours in a day.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
Right out of high school I painted professionally and learned a lot about the trade. Most people do not like to paint but I enjoy it.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
I am a huge NFL and NBA fan. I would love to be a professional football or basketball player.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
I read a lot of children’s books at this point in my life. If you need advice on a good one, I do have my favorites.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Ponzu in Aksarben Village. I am a huge fan of sushi.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
I follow the Dallas Cowboys religiously, so Tony Romo or Jason Witten.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 934-0078; Email: tim@controldepotinc.com; Website: www.controldepotinc.com.