Hunter Ragan
Des Moines,IA
Summary
Seasoned Commercial HVAC/Sheet Metal Project Leader with over 5 years of progressive experience overseeing design-build, plan/spec, and retrofit projects across Central Iowa. Proven ability to manage full project lifecycle from concept through closeout, including estimating, procurement, subcontractor management, and customer relationship development. Strong record of leading field teams, mentoring PMs and engineers, and driving operational efficiency across diverse scopes. Experienced in direct client interface, project forecasting, and maintaining safety, quality, and profitability.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Commercial Project Sales Engineer
Bell Brothers Heating & Cooling
Des Moines, IA
01.2023 - Current
- Manage $6M+ in annual project revenue within an $11M commercial division; lead full lifecycle of mechanical and sheet metal projects.
- Supervise a team of 4 office staff, 30+ Installers, and 4 service technicians; mentor PMs and field leads.
- Lead project forecasting, financial tracking, material procurement, and equipment scheduling.
- Routinely interface with owners, GCs, engineers, and design consultants to ensure scope alignment, code compliance, and schedule adherence.
- Implemented a department-wide incentive system that improved gross margins by 3%.
- Temporarily assumed leadership of the plumbing department during a management gap.
- Implemented bid and project tracking to accurately manage cashflow.
- Trained new plumbing project manager, that in now operating independently with $3M in revenue.
- During 3 years as management only had a 97% yearly retention rate of employees.
Commercial Project Engineer
Bell Brothers Heating & Cooling
Des Moines, IA
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Completed takeoffs, bid prep, and coordination of sheet metal, piping, and equipment trades.
- Developed construction documents and submittal packages; performed site walk throughs and punch list verification.
- Coordinated technical RFI tracking, material approval, and change management processes.
- Worked with existing customers on equipment replacements and HVAC upgrades.
- Completed projects as prime contractor
- Estimated projects, and saw projects through completion
Education
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Iowa State University
Ames, IA01.2021
Diploma -
Ankeny High School
Ankeny, IA05.2017
Skills
- Sheet Metal & HVAC Project Execution
- Team Mentoring & Field Coordination
- Contract Admin, Buyout, Change Orders
- Schedule Planning & Subcontractor Oversight
- Estimating & Design Review
- Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, Procore, ServiceTitan, Autodesk CAD, BIM, Revit
- Sales strategy development
- Cost estimation
- Value engineering
Websites
Certification
Member: ASHRAE, MBI, ABC of Iowa
NCCER HVAC/R Certificate
Timeline
Senior Commercial Project Sales Engineer
Bell Brothers Heating & Cooling
01.2023 - Current
Commercial Project Engineer
Bell Brothers Heating & Cooling
01.2021 - 01.2023
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Iowa State University
Diploma -
Ankeny High School