Lange, Johnson join WaterFurnace International, Inc. to lead utility market development

FORT WAYNE, IN – WaterFurnace International, Inc., the leading manufacturer of geothermal and water source heat pumps, announces the appointments of Will Lange as director of utility development for the company and Greg Johnson as sales manager for its Hyper Engineering business unit. Hyper Engineering designs, manufactures, and exports single phase and three phase electronic software-driven soft starters. The appointments represent an effort to strengthen WaterFurnace’s development of state and local utility partnerships.

Lange brings to his position more than 20 years of experience in HVAC manufacturing, engineering, product management and sales; mostly at Ingersoll Rand. Lange began his career in the U.S. Coast Guard as a watch officer and gained valuable field experience in power electronics and finance during several foreign tours of duty.

In this new role, Lange will assist utility companies with financial analysis and help promote the concept of loop field leases. By providing their customers with geothermal loop fields, utilities are able to diversify asset portfolios and create durable sources of cash flow for all parties. Lange upholds a win-win approach to energy efficiency and electrical grid resiliency with an emphasis on increasing utility profitability with geothermal solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Johnson also brings more than 20 years of experience to WaterFurnace, having served in a variety of roles in the HVAC industry, including territory manager and product and sales training positions at Trane. He also served as a regional manager for the American Standard brand, managing independent distribution in the South Central U.S. and other areas, including the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northwest and Western Canada. Most recently, he targeted new distribution opportunities for Johnson Controls, Inc.

As sales manager for WaterFurnace’s Hyper Engineering business unit, Johnson will focus on growing new product sales of Sure Start, a soft starter device that learns the characteristics of a motor to dramatically improve startup, reduce locked rotor amps and help reduce peak load demand for utilities. He will concentrate on value-selling using specific features, functions and benefits of Sure Start technology and its value to utility companies. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

“These appointments reflect our vision for a mutually beneficial partnership with utilities and will maximize synergies between our industries,” said WaterFurnace President and CEO Tom Huntington. “As utilities retire aging, inefficient coal plants and convert to natural gas and renewable power, they’re looking for ways reduce peak load demand and thereby reduce new infrastructure requirements. Our portfolio of energy efficient solutions offer utilities peak shavings capabilities, renewable energy credits and a stable source of cash flow year round.”