Behind the Systems: Jack Maske

Jack has been part of the Velocity BTS team since 2024, working across both Testing, Adjusting & Balancing (TAB) and Fire Life Safety (FLS).

Originally from Bellwood, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, Jack has called Washington home since the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl. His path into the trades started while he was still in high school through CTE classes at the Pierce County Skills Center. During his junior and senior years, Jack spent part of each school day learning the basics of the construction trades, an experience that eventually led him to the Local 66 High School Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

From there, Jack started his career in residential HVAC retrofit installation before discovering TAB. Today, he is a fourth-year TAB apprentice and has earned certifications as a TAB Technician and Supervisor, Fire-Smoke Damper Technician and Supervisor, Smoke Control Systems Technician, and IAQ Technician.

At Velocity BTS, Jack has had the opportunity to put those skills to work across a wide range of projects. Recently, he has been testing fire-smoke dampers at multiple Amazon sites, gaining experience with more involved smoke control systems. He’s also looking forward to an upcoming damper inspection project at the Port of Seattle airport.

One project that especially stands out is Expedition Elementary, formerly Bethel School District Elementary 19. Jack was trusted to complete much of the work independently, helping him build confidence in everything from testing and documentation to communication in the field. With a variety of mechanical systems requiring different testing methods, the project also gave him plenty of opportunities to expand his technical experience.

For Jack, that variety is one of the most rewarding parts of working in TAB. The job takes him behind the scenes of buildings and spaces that most people never get to experience, while giving him some pretty great stories to share along the way.

When he’s not at work, Jack has been spending plenty of time climbing. He got into indoor rock climbing about a year ago and has recently started exploring outdoor climbing as well. He also enjoys backpacking and snowboarding, so there’s no shortage of ways for him to get outside in the Pacific Northwest.

We’re glad to have Jack on the Velocity team and excited to see where his continued growth in TAB and FLS takes him!