During NIA’s recent 70th Annual Convention in Puerto Rico, the new Board of Directors began their terms under the leadership of NIA President John Stevens, who is Vice President for JT THORPE. John brings more than four decades of expertise and innovation to the insulation industry. During his term, his message will emphasize Honoring the Craft, which highlights the value and contributions from everyone in the mechanical insulation industry and the critical role of workforce development in training the next generation.

As his term got underway, we asked John to answer a few questions about how he got started in the insulation business, highlights from his experience, the industry stability he has witnessed, and his vision for the year.

How did you get into this industry?

I married an insulator’s daughter in the early ’80s, and the rest is history! I began my career in 1982 with Johns Manville’s Contracting Division and later served as Sales Manager for Ohio Valley Insulation. In 2000, I cofounded Thermal Solutions, Inc. and led its growth across nine states. In 2019, I worked with my business partner to launch Structsure Scaffold Solutions, LLC, providing scaffolding, access services, and industrial coatings. Both companies became part of JT Thorpe in 2024. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my way into an industry with such deep roots and such a promising road ahead.

What motivated you to get involved with NIA, and what
are the biggest changes you have seen since you started?

We applied for the very first Theodore H. Brodie Distinguished Safety Award, which is now known as the Safety Excellence Award. When we won it, it brought me to my first NIA Convention. I was hooked immediately. It truly is the best networking in the industry. That experience opened my eyes to just how connected and committed this community is. Over the decades, I have watched the industry evolve in remarkable ways, including new materials, new technologies, and new standards. What has never changed is the pride people take in their craft. That continuity, that respect for doing the work right, is something special.

What are your key objectives as NIA President this year?

My focus is on Honoring the Craft. This industry has a rich and proud history, and it is built on the backs of incredibly talented, dedicated people. I want to pay tribute to every one of them: the men and women in the field applying the products, the manufacturers, the distributors, the suppliers, and the contractors everywhere. These are the people who make our industry so special, and they deserve to be recognized for it.

What is one of the most interesting or meaningful projects you have been part of?

The Big Sandy American Electric Power Outlet Duct Replacement Project stands out above the rest for a very personal reason. I was on the original installation back in the ’90s, working alongside my dad, my uncle, and my cousins. Then to go back years later and do it again, this time with my own sons involved, was a full-circle moment I will never forget. It is a perfect example of what this industry means to so many families: It is not just a career, it is a legacy.
(Editor’s note: to read more about this project, see the Contractor Showcase article: www.insulation.org/io/articles/nia-contractor-member-jt-thorpe-discusses-system-design)

Being part of JT Thorpe, what are you most proud of?

We are a national contractor specializing in insulation, scaffolding, specialty coatings,
fireproofing, refractory, and abatement services. This year, we are celebrating our 120th year in business, which is an almost unbelievable milestone. Our first major project dates back to 1908, when we installed the refractory in Standard Oil’s first furnace. That company is now Chevron, and 120 years later, we are still performing maintenance services for them. That kind of enduring relationship says everything about who we are. We are also proud that more than 86% of our work comes from repeat customers.

How important is industry education to you personally and at your company?

Education is everything. This is an ever-changing industry, and staying on the leading edge means committing to continuous learning at every level. The knowledge and skills passed down through this trade represent decades of hard-won experience, and it is our responsibility to preserve that wisdom while also embracing what is new. That is how we honor those who came before us and prepare those who come after.

What advice would you give someone entering the mechanical insulation industry today?

There has never been a better time to get into this industry. With data centers, power generation, and chip manufacturing plants, the demand is extraordinary, and it is growing. Whether you are looking at manufacturing, distribution, or contracting, there is opportunity at every level. This industry has a remarkable past and an incredibly bright future. We want you to be part of it.

Did you have mentors who shaped your career?

Everyone I have worked for over the course of my career—excellent, good, or somewhere in between—had something valuable to offer. My goal was always to draw from their best traits, their best ideas, their best instincts. But my first and most important mentor was my mother. She used to say, “Treat everyone how you want to be treated, and it will come back to you.” She was absolutely right, and that philosophy has guided me in this industry and in life.