Staff / Leadership

Mitch has direct responsibility for managing all areas of the business.  Prior to Thermal Specialties, Mitch served as global vice president of operations for FW Murphy, a Tulsa-based instrumentation and controls company. Mitch holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management and a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University.

Kent is responsible for day-to-day operations throughout the organization.  He previously served as director of manufacturing for FW Murphy, a Tulsa-based instrumentation and controls company. Prior to that, Kent worked in Reynosa, Mexico as a supply chain manager for Nokia Corporation. Kent holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University.

Lisa oversees all aspects of the accounting and finance departments, which includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, taxes, all financial reporting, and compliance. Previously, Lisa served as Controller for Air Assurance, a prominent HVAC contractor in Broken Arrow, OK for 11 years. Lisa studied Accounting at Cal State Fullerton.

David joined Thermal Specialties after being in the metal processing business for 28 years. David’s responsibilities at Thermal Specialties include estimating, project management and designing high-heat furnaces and refractory for thermal applications. David has 44 years of engineering experience working on a wide range of industrial projects. He received his education from Oklahoma State University in drafting and design.

Arling joined Thermal Specialties as part of an effort to broaden and fortify Thermal Specialties' distribution reach. Thermal Specialties has become a regional leader in the insulation distribution market. Prior to Thermal Specialties, Arling was a customer service manager at G.T. Industries of Oklahoma, a Tulsa-based industrial distribution company that serves the aerospace market. Arling has an associate’s degree in accounting from Oklahoma Jr. College.

Garye is currently responsible for sales and business development, and is focused on increasing market share in the refining, power generation and anhydrous ammonia industries. After time at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, Garye spent 20 years operating his own company, Climatrol, Inc., with locations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. He also spent two years with Bartmann Enterprises in a start-up business venture, the VIP Homeowners Club, in Tulsa, directing marketing and sales.

Alvin's current responsibilities include managing the daily heat treat activities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Alvin has 30 years experience in commercial heat-treating in the aerospace, automotive, construction and oil and gas industries. He has vast experience developing and implementing quality systems including ISO 9001/2008, AS9000 and NADCAP as well as meeting customer processing specifications. Alvin has an associate’s degree from Friends University and additional training including AMS – principle of heat treatment, pyromerty, quality system auditing, lean manufacturing and Kaizen techniques.

Chris Caffey – Plant Manager, Thermal Specialties of Texas

Chris is currently responsible for operations at Thermal Specialties new plant in Fort Worth, Texas as well as sales and business development for the Fort Worth operation. Chris has 16 years of experience in heat treat and furnace sales operations.  Chris has attended the North American Combustion Seminar and spent many years in the field working with refractory and combustion.

Dennis has 20 years experience in the refractory industry, 10 of which he spent traveling throughout North America and the Caribbean islands. Dennis’ work skills include bricklaying, installing various types of refractory form building, welding in petro refineries, power plants, and cement plants. He has held several positions since serving his apprenticeship including a bricklayer/refractory installer, foreman, general foreman, superintendent and a project manager.