At Velocity Building Technical Services, we’re proud to support projects that make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. One of those projects is the HealthPoint Tukwila Health & Wellness Center, a new community healthcare hub designed to expand access to essential services for residents throughout South King County.

This new facility will bring together medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and supportive services under one roof, creating a centralized destination for care and community resources. The center is designed to help meet the growing needs of one of the region’s most diverse communities while improving access to quality healthcare close to home.

As part of the project team, Velocity BTS is providing Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) services to help ensure the facility’s mechanical systems are properly commissioned and ready to support occupants from day one.

Delivering Confidence Through Testing and Verification

TAB is a critical phase of construction that verifies HVAC systems are performing according to design requirements. Through detailed measurements and system adjustments, TAB specialists help ensure spaces receive the proper airflow, temperature control, and overall system performance needed to support comfort, reliability, and efficiency.

Our team’s work on the HealthPoint Tukwila project includes detailed field measurements of:

  • Airflow and air distribution
  • Hydronic water flow
  • Pressure relationships
  • Temperature differentials
  • Equipment operating conditions

The project is being executed in multiple phases to support project coordination while validating performance throughout the facility.

Supporting Reliable Performance

Healthcare facilities depend on building systems that perform consistently and predictably. During testing, the Velocity BTS team is focused on verifying that systems function as designed under a variety of operating conditions.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Maintaining required environmental conditions throughout the facility
  • Confirming proper operation during varying load conditions
  • Validating pressure relationships in critical spaces
  • Identifying and correcting airflow and hydronic flow deficiencies
  • Coordinating closely with project partners to support successful system operation

By carefully testing, adjusting, and documenting system performance, our team helps establish a verified baseline for future facility operations and maintenance. This process supports long-term reliability, operational efficiency, and occupant comfort throughout the building.

Helping Build Spaces That Serve the Community

Projects like the HealthPoint Tukwila Health & Wellness Center demonstrate the important role building performance plays in creating spaces that support people every day. While much of our work happens behind the scenes, it helps ensure healthcare providers can focus on what matters most: delivering quality care to the communities they serve.

Velocity BTS is proud to contribute to a project that will have a meaningful impact on South King County for years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Road and On the Job: Meet Eric Liles

Growing up in the small farm town of Peculiar, Missouri, Eric Liles was introduced to the HVAC industry at an early age through his family’s residential HVAC business in Kansas City. After moving to Washington State following high school, he eventually turned that early exposure into a career, joining the trade through the Local 66 Sheet Metal Workers apprenticeship program.

Today, Eric brings 10 years of industry experience to his role as a TAB Traveling Foreman with Velocity BTS, where he has spent the past year leading crews, troubleshooting complex systems, coordinating field activities, and helping ensure projects are completed safely and to the highest standards.

Eric specializes in mechanical systems serving critical environments and is currently working on the Panasonic Battery Plant, overseeing the testing and balancing of systems that support critical battery production areas. The project has also become one of the most memorable of his career.

“It’s one of the largest and most complex projects I’ve worked on,” Eric said. “It’s given me the opportunity to tackle challenges, solve problems, and continue learning throughout the process.”

For Eric, problem-solving is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

“It’s satisfying to overcome challenges and know the systems are performing as intended,” he said.

Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time with his family, riding motorcycles with his wife, and hitting the trails on dirt bikes with his son.

Most recently, Eric earned his ICB/TABB Supervisor Certification, adding another milestone to an already impressive career in the testing, adjusting, and balancing industry.

We’re proud to have Eric on the Velocity team and appreciate the knowledge, leadership, and dedication he brings to every project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Spotlight: Supporting the Reopening of Groff Elementary School

At Velocity Building Technical Services, we know that building performance impacts more than facilities, it impacts the people who rely on them every day.

When Groff Elementary School in Moses Lake faced significant facility and infrastructure challenges that resulted in the school’s closure, the path forward required a coordinated effort among project stakeholders to help prepare the facility for reopening. Public updates from the district outlined an extensive remediation process focused on addressing identified issues and ensuring the school would be ready to serve students once again.

Velocity BTS was proud to support these efforts by providing building systems expertise, technical evaluation, and performance verification services as part of the broader solution strategy. Working collaboratively with the project team, our role focused on helping ensure critical building systems perform as intended and support a safe, healthy, and reliable environment for students, teachers, and staff.

Projects like Groff Elementary demonstrate the importance of building performance in creating spaces that communities can depend on. While much of our work occurs behind the scenes, the impact extends far beyond the mechanical systems themselves. Properly functioning building systems help create environments where learning can thrive and where occupants can feel confident in the spaces they use every day.

As planning continues toward the district’s stated goal of reopening Groff Elementary for the 2026–2027 school year, Velocity BTS is honored to have contributed to a project that will benefit students, families, educators, and the broader Moses Lake community.

We take pride in partnering with clients and stakeholders to help solve complex facility challenges and support the long-term performance of the buildings that serve our communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solving complex challenges in the field.

Alex Woods, Fire Life-Safety Supervisor, has nearly nine years of experience and a practical, problem-solving approach to his work at Velocity BTS. Since joining the team just over a year ago, he has built a strong foundation across both testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) and fire and life safety (FLS). He recently earned the Seattle Fire Department SC-1 certification, further expanding his expertise in complex building systems.

Originally from Leavenworth, Washington, Alex grew up in a one-room cabin surrounded by the outdoors. Today, he still lives that lifestyle, now in the mountains with his wife and their two huskies. Outside of work, he spends his time skiing, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

Alex didn’t take a typical path into the industry. He first pursued outdoor guiding and wilderness medicine in Alaska, followed by time exploring wildland firefighting. After returning to Washington, he found his way into the trades, following family members who had built careers in the unions. He started in industrial fabrication, moved into sheet metal installation, and later transitioned into design and detailing before specializing in TAB and FLS.

In his current role, Alex supports both TAB and FLS work, including testing and balancing systems, performing fire and smoke damper inspections, and supporting smoke control work.

Alex is currently focused on Swedish’s Nordstrom Tower, where he recently completed a major fire and life safety survey in preparation for upcoming inspections. Working in hospital environments brings an added level of complexity, from coordinating work around active patient care to meeting strict containment requirements.

One of his favorite projects to date has been Jefferson County Hospital, which provided early hands-on experience and a chance to learn Velocity’s workflows while building strong team connections.

For Alex, the most rewarding part of the job is working through complex challenges.

“Projects that take more planning and require a deeper level of problem solving are the most rewarding,” he said. “When the team comes together with different perspectives and finds a solution, that’s when you see the best results.”

Alex continues to build his experience across both TAB and FLS and looks forward to supporting future projects, including additional travel work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Velocity BTS Joins 7×24 Exchange International!

We’re proud to announce that Velocity BTS is now a member of 7×24 Exchange International, the leading knowledge exchange for professionals who design, build, operate, and maintain mission-critical infrastructure.

As a firm dedicated to delivering high-quality test & balance, commissioning support, and life-safety system verification, joining 7×24 Exchange strengthens our alignment with the organizations and professionals driving reliability, uptime, and performance across critical facilities.

7×24 Exchange has long been at the forefront of advancing collaboration and innovation within the data center and mission-critical industry. With a diverse membership spanning technology, healthcare, finance, energy, and more, the organization provides a powerful platform for knowledge sharing, industry dialogue, and best practice development.

This partnership reinforces Velocity BTS’s commitment to:

  • Enhancing end-to-end system reliability
  • Supporting energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives
  • Collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex operational challenges
  • Staying engaged in the conversations shaping the future of mission-critical environments

We look forward to contributing to the 7×24 Exchange community and continuing to deliver AHJ-defensible, performance-driven solutions for our clients across data centers and critical facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixing Issues and Delivering Better Building Outcomes

Carson Kreager has been with Velocity BTS for six months and has worked in the industry since graduating from college in 2021.

Originally from Bonney Lake, Washington, Carson spent several years living overseas with his family. In 2011, they moved to Germany, where he lived on four different military bases between 2011 and 2017. Outside of work, Carson and his wife are big true crime fans and like to spend their evenings watching documentaries.

Carson entered the industry during the early stages of COVID. A family friend recommended commissioning at the company they worked at, and Carson quickly found he enjoyed the work.

As a Commissioning Agent Project Manager at Velocity BTS, Carson’s specialties include new building commissioning, existing building commissioning, and data center commissioning. He also supports work with the Port of Seattle. In his role, Carson works with building owners and contractors throughout the construction process, helps identify and resolve issues, documents commissioning activities, and provides sign-off that a project has been commissioned.

Right now, Carson’s work also includes a good mix of work. He is supporting Washington State Clean Buildings Act documentation for existing buildings, including 2+U, the Norton Building, and Safeco Plaza in downtown Seattle. He is also in the final stages of smoke control commissioning for SeaTac’s NMTRP and supporting commissioning for the Tulalip Casino Expansion.

Carson’s favorite project at Velocity BTS has been ASOG Camp Murray. He enjoyed that it was short and straightforward, and it gave him the opportunity to showcase his commissioning expertise without the project becoming overly complex.

For Carson, the most rewarding part of the job is fixing issues. He enjoys finding problems, working through solutions, and knowing the final outcome is better because of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advancing Safety and System Performance in the Field

Shakeisha Spencer brings focus, confidence, and technical precision to her role as TAB Technician at Velocity BTS. Born and raised in Washington State, she joined Velocity in May 2025 and has quickly made her mark supporting safe, high-performing building systems.

Her entry into the industry began with a college instructor’s recommendation and was further shaped by her participation in the SMART Heroes program. Designed to support veterans and active-duty military members transitioning into the skilled trades, the program provided advanced placement into a sheet metal apprenticeship and a clearly defined career pathway. From there, Shakeisha built hands-on expertise in testing, air balancing, and controls.

Today, her work is centered on fire and life safety, along with air and water balancing, helping ensure building systems perform safely and as designed.

One of Shakeisha’s favorite projects was the Madison Center fire life safety dampers. She describes it as a project “where everything went perfectly,” noting the smooth execution and successful outcome as particularly rewarding.

What drives her most is knowing her work directly contributes to the safety of building occupants, while also giving her the chance to keep learning and growing in the field. That balance of purpose and progress is what keeps the job rewarding.

Beyond the job site, Shakeisha enjoys hiking, fishing, gardening, music, and flying helicopters. She and her wife are also busy raising their five-year-old daughter, who keeps life full and fast-paced.

Shakeisha is also proud to be building a successful career in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She has seen firsthand how the field is evolving and values being part of that change through her work at Velocity BTS.

With a strong commitment to safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, Shakeisha is helping set the standard for system performance across Velocity projects.

At Velocity BTS, safety is never just a slogan. It’s the standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2025, our team of 17 employees worked more than 30,400 hours with zero recordable safety incidents. This achievement marks our fourth consecutive year without a safety incident, and it’s a milestone we’re proud to share.

In our line of work—HVAC testing, balancing, and life-safety systems—safety is not a slogan, it’s the standard. It is a result of disciplined procedures, continuous safety training and recertification, strong field awareness, peer accountability, and a team that looks out for one another every day. Our goal is simple: everyone goes home safely and in the same condition they started the day.

This achievement reflects the core of our safety culture:

  • Consistent adherence to safety protocols

  • Ongoing training and mentorship

  • A culture where stopping work for safety is always the right call

We are grateful for a team that takes personal ownership of safety, not because it’s required, but because it is the standard we hold ourselves to.

At Velocity BTS, we are committed to continuing this culture on every project, at every site, every day. Safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re proud to have a team that embodies it in every task they undertake.

We are pleased to welcome Carson Kreager to the Velocity team as a Commissioning Agent.

Carson is a graduate of Washington State University and brings several years of experience in building commissioning and validation. He has worked on large-scale projects across the West Coast, developing a strong background in systems testing, project coordination, and performance verification. His technical expertise and commitment to quality make him a great addition to our growing commissioning group.

In his new role, Carson will collaborate with the Velocity team to lead and support commissioning efforts for several key projects, including the Tulalip Casino Renovation and Expansion, ASOG Camp Murray, and the Safeco Plaza Existing Building Commissioning project.

Outside of work, Carson enjoys playing tennis, cooking new dishes, solving puzzles, and spending time with his family.

Please join us in welcoming Carson to Velocity! We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the energy and insight he’ll bring to our projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Velocity Building Technical Services (Velocity BTS) is proud to recognize Dave Petrie for earning the Seattle Fire Department SC-1 certification, further demonstrating our commitment to technical mastery and code-compliant fire safety solutions.

As a Qualified Person authorized by the Seattle Fire Department, Dave is certified to perform testing, inspections, and maintenance on smoke control systems. This ensures that the systems we maintain operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with local codes.

Strengthening Our Capabilities

With this certification, Velocity BTS enhances our ability to deliver precise, reliable solutions in smoke control and pressurization systems, including:

  • System & Code Expertise: In-depth knowledge of smoke control theory, fan performance, fire alarm interfaces, control logic, and emergency power operations.
  • Field Performance: Quickly identifying deficiencies, optimizing pressurization results, and collaborating effectively with engineers and Seattle Fire Department inspectors.

Commitment to Safety and Reliability

At Velocity BTS, continuous education and professional development are core to our approach. Dave’s SC-1 certification reinforces our dedication to delivering safe, dependable, and code-compliant building systems for our clients.

Congratulations, Dave! Your expertise helps Velocity BTS maintain the high standards our clients rely on for fire safety, performance, and technical excellence.