ACHR News
search
Ask ACHR NEWS AI
cart
facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHR News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • New HVAC Products
    • Featured Products
    • Manufacturer Reports
    • HVAC Data
    • Legislation
    • ACHR NEWS Centennial
  • RESIDENTIAL
    • Air Conditioners
    • Furnaces
    • Residential Heat Pumps
    • Ductless
    • Residential IAQ
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Components & Accessories
  • COMMERCIAL
    • Air Handlers
    • Rooftop Units
    • Chillers and Cooling Towers
    • Commercial Heat Pumps
    • Boilers and Hydronics
    • VRF/Ductless
    • Commercial IAQ
  • REFRIGERATION
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Leak Management
  • CONTRACTOR PRO
    • Geothermal
    • Homeowner Study
    • VRF and VRV Ductless
    • Unitary Trends
  • EDUCATION
    • Training and Education
    • Business Management
    • Service and Maintenance
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research >
      • HVAC Brand Awareness Report
      • VRV, VRF, VRVZ Report
      • Unitary Trends Report
      • Water Heat Professionals Report
    • Webinars
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProducts Info
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • HVAC Contractor Forum
    • Industry Events and Webinars
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • AHR Expo 2025 Videos
    • Podcasts >
      • ACHR News Podcast
      • HARDI Podcasts
      • AHR Expo Podcasts
      • ACCA Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Quizzes
    • eBooks
    • HVAC Talkback
  • HVAC GROUP
    • ACHR NEWS >
      • Current Issue
      • Digital Edition
      • Subscribe
    • Distribution Trends
    • SNIPS NEWS >
      • Join SNIPS NEWS
    • Engineered Systems News >
      • Join ES News
    • HVACR Directory
    • Contests
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • My Account
Distribution TrendsHVAC Distribution News

Distribution Trends Top 40 Under 40: Brad Vermillion

Vermillion, 39, is the Illinois Equipment Manager for G.W. Berkheimer

By Herb Woerpel
Vermillion-Brad.jpg
January 31, 2019

While employed at a manufacturer’s rep., Brad Vermillion grew tired of that company’s inability to secure a product line, so he reached out to his friend Justin Bjankini.

“After being let go again — the third time in two years — due to the loss of a major line and seniority, I called Justin and asked, ‘Hey, you always brag about your company. Can you get me an interview?’” said Vermillion.

Vermillion visited the Aurora branch for an interview in April 2005. G.W. Berkheimer extended an offer and he started as an inside sales representative the following Monday.

“Inside sales taught me the basic knowledge of the industry along with procedures that G. W. Berkheimer had in place,” said Vermillion, 39. “I wanted to be better each day through the learning of daily tasks and tons of training.”

In 2006, Vermillion was transferred to the Rockford branch, where he eventually assumed the role of outside salesman.

“At this time of my career, I was taught to learn what was needed from our customers and to find ways to provide it,” he said. “I also focused on making great relationships along the way.”

In 2008, he was promoted to the role of equipment specialist, and in 2017, he became the equipment manager for all 11 Illinois branches.

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS →

“Seeing the results of the hard work we provide our customers is the most rewarding part of working in this industry,” he said. “It’s very rewarding and gratifying. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I absolutely love what I do.”

Vermillion aspires to continue to push himself and his team to be the best at what they do.

“I want to look back and say the things we did were game-changing,” he said. “I will always strive to move to the next level in our company.”

Vermillion signs his emails with the slogan, “Go the extra mile, it’s never crowded.”

“I truly believe this,” he said. “There are so many ways to learn and grow with this industry. Take advantage of the training that is available, learn it, and put it to good use.”

Vermillion is proud to be one of many talented workers at G.W. Berkheimer.  

“Success all starts with the kind of people that you work with,” he said. “The bar is set from our leadership team to be the best. We, as a team, genuinely care about our customers and their customers. I feel we have that personality trait to want to help each time the phone rings, email sent in, delivery truck leaves, or we head out to visit our customers.”

Vermillion previously earned G.W. Berkheimer’s President’s Award for top sales within my division. When not working, Vermillion, who participated in G.W. Berkheimer’s Leadership of Our Future Team (LOFT) program, enjoys making memories with his family and friends.

“I also enjoy traveling,” he said. “I have only two states left to visit to reach all 50 states. I have played sports all my life at a high level and currently play softball.”

Publication date: 01/31/19

KEYWORDS: distribution and HVACR Distribution Trends Top 40 Under 40 HVAC sales

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Dc herb author headshot
Herb Woerpel is a senior editor with The ACHR NEWS. He is committed to delivering practical, insightful information in an accessible, engaging way. Herb joined BNP Media in 2011. He most recently served as editor-in-chief of Engineered Systems and was previously employed as managing editor of The ACHR NEWS. Before joining BNP Media, he worked as a reporter with the Advance Newspapers, a subsidiary of MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. He holds a bachelor’s degree in news editorial journalism from Central Michigan University and boasts 16-plus years of professional journalism experience. Contact him at 248-786-1583 or herbwoerpel@achrnews.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • HVAC-enrollment

    The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

    A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.  
    News
    By: Matt Jachman
  • 2025 Top 40 Under 40

    2025 Top 40 Under 40 HVACR Professionals List

    The 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlights those...
    HVAC Commercial Market
    By: Hannah Belloli-Oster
  • LG Ductless Mini-Split Systems

    The 9 Types of Heat Pumps

    As the U.S. moves toward electrification, heat pumps are...
    Air Source Heat Pumps
    By: Joanna R. Turpin
Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to The News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The News or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Piggy Bank
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Energy Prices, Inflation, and HVAC: What Today’s Homeowners Care About

  • Refrigerated Food
    Sponsored bySolstice Advanced Materials

    R-455A Refrigeration: A Cold Storage Solution for the Future

  • Airex Rooftop Units
    Sponsored byAirex Manufacturing Inc

    Consolidating Roof Penetrations: A Growing Trend in Multifamily HVAC Design

Popular Stories

Trade groups challenge EPA refrigerant rule

HVACR Trade Groups Challenge EPA Refrigerant Rule in Federal Court

HVAC-Price-Increase-graphic

HVAC Price Increase List: July 2026

heat-pump-tech-customer.jpg

DOE Updates $8.8B Home Energy Rebate Program Guidance

Lovato-refrigerant-rooftop_AC_Units_.jpg

When Refrigerants Change, So Do the Contactors

Martin Hoover

ACCA Leadership Shakeup: Barton James Out, Hoover Named Interim CEO

View The ACHR NEWS
Centennial Anniversary Timeline

The ACHR News Timeline Chart
Submit a Letter
Submit a letter to our editors.

Events

November 6, 2025

Next-Gen Data Center Cooling: HVAC Innovation and Real-World Solutions

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

July 28, 2026

How Top Home Services Companies Turn Every Conversation Into Predictable Revenue

In this webinar, we'll outline how top contractors are turning every conversation into predictable revenue by coaching every comfort advisor visit, not just the ones a manager rides along on.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Summer Staff

Are you fully staffed for the summer season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

See More Products
Designing Systems Using A2L Refrigerant - Free Webinar - 7/22/2026

Related Articles

  • Ronningen-Kevin.jpg

    Distribution Trends Top 40 Under 40: Kevin Ronningen

    See More
  • Washington-Lee.jpg

    Distribution Trends Top 40 Under 40: Lee Washington

    See More
  • SteeleJohn.jpg

    Distribution Trends Top 40 Under 40: John Steele

    See More

Related Directories

  • Pfannenberg USA

    Established in 1954 by Otto Pfannenberg, Pfannenberg, Inc. is a Global Manufacturer of Thermal Management, Liquid Cooling Solutions and Audible and Visual Alarms.
×

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Letter
    • Directories
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing