Our mission is to be the preferred supplier of HVAC products to our customers in the State of Mississipi
by providing quality products, engineering and design expertise and superior customer service.
Our History
Since our founding in 1965, Ward Mechanical Equipment, Inc. has been committed to providing our customers
with the largest line of quality construction products. We stock what our customers want. But even more,
we provide the technical support and service that they need.
That customer oriented philosophy has been our business grow from the Jackson market to statewide across
Mississippi and areas of Louisiana. And we're still growing! What began as a small business from Tom and
Fran Ward's home has grown into a multi-million dollar mechanical equipment company.
Today, under the ownership of partners Devere McLennan and Blair Johnson, our company has now expanded
into a new, modern 10,000 square foot warehouse. With more manufacturer's products being added to our
growing line of inventory, Ward Mechanical Equipment has also added additional sales support staff and a
4,500 square foot office complex.
We're committed to being one of the largest supply vendors in the South. But you have our promise that
we'll never forget what got us here... valued customers like you!
Who We Are
Devere McLennan - President
Graduated - University of Montevallo - 1970 - BS in Business Administration
Three years of insurance and public relations experience in Alabama. Over thirty years sales experience
as salesman for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning product lines with Mississippi
Manufacturers' Representative firms. Acquired Ward Mechanical Equipment from Tom Ward in January 1989.
Member Greenheck Rep Council 2004-2007
Member Price Industries Rep Council 2001-2002, 2008-2009
Blair Johnson - Vice President
Graduated - University of Mississipi - 1982 - Bachelor of Accountancy
Certified Public Accountant - MS
Nine years as manager for KPMG Peat Marwick - Jackson, Mississipi. Employed with Ward Mechanical in
January 1989 as Vice President and Salesman.
Traci Avalon - Office Manager
Twenty-two years experience in office management, accounting, public relations and sales. Employed with
Ward Mechanical Equipment in 1984 as office manager.
Kelly Guyton - Controller
Graduated - University of Mississippi - 2004 - Masters of Accountancy
Four years experience as a senior in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services for Ernst & Young -
Memphis, TN. Employed with Ward Mechanical Equipment since May 2008.
David McMichael - Senior Marketing and Application HVAC System Engineer
Graduated - Mississippi State University - 1996 - BS in Mechanical Engineering
Four years experience with a mechanical contracting firm. Four years experience in applied equipment
sales with Shelby-Skipwith in Memphis, TN. Has been with Ward Mechanical Equipment since December 2000
as a Sales Engineer developing our applied equipment department.
Ben Walker - Marketing and Application HVAC System Engineer
Graduated - Memphis State University - 1974 - BS in Electrical Engineering
Employed by The Trane Company January 1975 and worked in Jackson, MS Trane Commercial Sales Office for
twenty-nine years. Four times member of Trane Top Ten, three times member of Clarksville Million
Dollar Club, Lexington Triple Crown Winner, and Trace Pro Club. Attended Trane Tracer Control,
Counselor Selling, and Energy Analyzer classes. Employed with Ward Mechanical since February 2004.
Johnny McCrory - Inside Marketing Assistant - Manager Air Distribution Products Group
Graduated - Holmes Community College - 1981 - AA in Business
Ten years experience in estimating and fabrication for a national mechanical contracting firm.
Employed by Ward Mechanical Equipment in 1991 as project estimator and marketing assistant.
Rhonda Horton - Marketing Representative - Air Distribution Products Group
Attended University of Southern Mississippi - 1990
Five years experience in retail management. Two years experience with a national General Contracting
firm as project coordinator. Experienced in all phases of construction management. Employed with
Ward Mechanical Equipment since November 2000.
Debbie Glenn - Clerical Support - Accounts Assistant
Attended University of Mississippi - 1977
Twenty-four years experience in various office environments. Experienced in Microsoft Windows and
Word Perfect. Employed with Ward Mechanical Equipment since February 1993.
Teresa Beers - Accounting & Inside Marketing Support
Eighteen years experience in various office environments. Excellent telephone and computer skills.
Employed with Ward Mechanical Equipment since August 2001.
Jeff Burns - Warehouse Manager
Attended Hinds Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi
Employed by Ward Mechanical Equipment since July of 2002. Experienced in all phases of Warehouse
operation. Formerly with Three States Supply Co, Jeff has extensive knowledge of the HVAC industry.
Vanessa Robins - Receptionist
Attended Belhaven College and Mississippi State University
Twenty-three years experience as Human Resource Manager with Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.
Employed with Ward Mechanical since 2006.
Clinton Heard - Marketing and Application HVAC System Engineer
Graduated - Mississippi State University - 2001 - BS Mechanical Engineering
Five years with Nissan North American as a Project Engineer involved in the construction and
launch of the Canton Assembly Plant. Two years experience with Johnson Controls in HVAC sales.
Has been with Ward Mechanical Equipment since January 2008.
Charles Saucier - Inside Marketing Engineer
Over 30 years of electrical management, safety supervision and plant maintenance experience
with a Programming Degree. Has been a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
since 1994. Former Project Manager of large commercial and industrial jobs and a current
community college instructor of electrical, motor controls and PLC programming technology,
extensive knowledge of blending electrical and mechanical when estimating. Employed with
Ward Mechanical since May 2008.
Chris Harper - Marketing and Application HVAC System Engineer
Graduated - Mississippi State University - BS Mechanical Engineering
Five years experience working in the Aerospace industry designing and troubleshooting
hydraulic pumps for various platforms. Employed with Ward Mechanical in July 2009.
Wayne Baney - Service Manager
Attended Nichols State University and Southern Louisiana Technical Institute with studies in
Engineering and HVAC. Over 25 years experience in service and service sales. Twenty years
factory field service for McQuay and York International specializing in large tonnage
commercial chiller and process refrigeration. Factory trained by York International, ABB,
Phoenix Controls, Aaon/Wattmaster, JCI Controls, Reliance and many others. Associated with
Ward Mechanical Equipment since 1995 and employed with Ward Mechanical Equipment since
May 2006.
Charles Wiggins - Field Service Representative
Attended Meridian Community College - HVAC - 1981
Twelve years combined experience in commercial refrigeration installation, sales and service.
Ten years experience in hospital HVAC maintenance.
1989 Certified boiler and cooling tower water treatment
1990 Certified Scottsman ice machine warranty repair
1991 Servidyne boiler service and trouble shooting
1993 York Institute Centrifugal Micro-Processor Control
2009 Johnson Control Millennium 25-40 Ton Start Up Qualification
Employed with Ward Mechanical Equipment since November 2007.
Robert Hutchison - Field Service Representative
Eight years experience in highway construction. Thirteen years experience in the HVAC industry with 3 years
vocational training. Most recently as Project Manager with Johnson Controls managing, installing and
programming HVAC building controls. Employed with Ward Mechanical July 2009.