Eyeing Growth, Building Controls & Solutions Adds 2 to C‑Suite

Farmers Branch-based Building Controls & Solutions announced changes to its leadership team that it said will strengthen its growth trajectory and enhance its ability to serve customers and manufacturer partners across North America.

“This is an exciting time for BCS,” CEO Eric Chernik said. “Our leadership team is aligned around a bold vision for scalable growth, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to our customers and vendor partners. These moves strengthen our ability to deliver value, stay nimble, and grow alongside our partners.”

BCS, a leading value-added distributor of energy management, building automation, and gas detection solutions, said that Christopher Wenaas has been promoted to chief operating officer, where he will lead U.S. branch operations, sales, and technical solutions teams with a strong focus on sales execution, margin improvement, and operational consistency across BCS’s 15 U.S. branch locations.

Galen Riddle joins the company as chief financial officer, bringing more than two decades of financial leadership experience in distribution, manufacturing, and private equity-backed businesses. Most recently, Riddle was vice president of finance at Hydradyne, where he helped lead the business through a successful acquisition. Galen will drive financial strategy, performance insights, and EBITDA growth initiatives at BCS in the U.S and Canada.

John Strawn, who joined the company earlier this year as chief marketing & technology officer, leads BCS’ omni-channel strategy, digital innovation, and customer experience transformation. John’s prior leadership roles at Kele, ABB, and FedEx have shaped him into a digital and customer-first thought leader with a track record of measurable results.

Founded in 2018, Building Controls & Solutions is a value-added distributor of building automation, energy management, and gas detection solutions for the commercial HVAC industry. With 24 locations across the U.S and Canada, BCS partners with leading manufacturers to provide local expertise, inventory support, and technical solutions to contractors, facility managers, and OEMs.

The company is backed by Platte River Equity, a Denver-based private equity firm managing $1.7 billion in assets. Platte River invests in established, high-growth companies in the industrial and aerospace sectors.

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