Read Bio
James Cochrum
Co-President
Read Bio
Sam Petty
Co-President
Read Bio
Bryan Cochrum
Senior Vice President Project Management
Read Bio
Wes Wallace
Senior Vice President Preconstruction
Read Bio
Jerry Gilbert
Senior Vice President Field Operations
Read Bio
Jason Stewart
Senior Vice President Engineering
Read Bio
Ron Briscoe
Vice President Service
Read Bio
Mary DeFrank
Vice President Human Resources
Read Bio
James Stines
Chief Financial Officer
James Cochrum
Co-President
James put in some classroom time at Abilene Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington in the early 1980s, but his professional education really started on the ground floor of what was then Crossroads Mechanical. He started working in the field and worked there as a plumber and HVAC installer. He later became a field superintendent over construction operations and then worked in project management. Today James is the Co-President in charge of operations, project management and engineering aspects of the business.
James continuously collaborates with the Executive Management Team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel to accommodate the growth objectives of the company.
Sam Petty
Co-President
Sam graduated from Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee with an Associates degree in 1983. In September of that same year, he started work with Venture Mechanical. Originally starting out as a service technician, Sam worked his way up to service salesman, service manager, Vice President and Executive Vice President. He became Venture Mechanical’s Co-President in 2004, when Morris and Larry began to hand the company over to the next generation owners.
Today, Sam provides strategic leadership for the company by working with the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team to establish long range goals, strategies, plans and policies.
Bryan Cochrum
Senior Vice President Project Management
Bryan Cochrum began his career with Venture Mechanical in 2004, spending his summers in the field as a helper and duct installer. After earning his mechanical engineering degree from Oklahoma Christian University in 2009, he joined the company full-time as a Project Manager.
In 2015, Bryan became a licensed Professional Engineer, and three years later was promoted to Director of Project Management. He assumed the role of Vice President of Project Management in 2023 and, since 2025, has served as Senior Vice President of Project Management.
Wes Wallace
Senior Vice President Preconstruction
Wes Wallace joined Venture Mechanical in 2002 and has built his entire career with the company. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Preconstruction, where he oversees all aspects of the Preconstruction Department, including estimating, marketing, business development, and sales.
Wes began his career in the field, spending three years working his way up from helper to Lead Mechanic. In 2005, he transitioned into the Preconstruction Department, where he has served in roles including Estimator, Sales Manager, and Vice President of Preconstruction before assuming his current position in 2025.
Jerry Gilbert
Senior Vice President Field Operations
Jerry Gilbert attended Kilgore College briefly but left to work full time. In May 1991, he walked through the doors of Venture Mechanical. Starting as a helper, he became a tenant finish supervisor in 1993, a construction superintendent in 2000 and general superintendent in 2006. In 2008, he took on the role of VP/Field Operations and today serves as the Senior Vice President of Field Operations.
Jerry is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the Construction, Tenant Finish, Safety and Warehouse departments. These responsibilities include ensuring company policies and general practices are being followed by Construction and Tenant Finish personnel; overseeing job schedules on a daily basis; identifying hiring needs and interviewing potential employees; and meeting with General Contractors to ensure company is meeting expectations.
Jason Stewart
Senior Vice President Engineering
Jason Stewart received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University in 1994 and started at the company the next year. He began work as a tenant finish project manager and proceeded to work on tenant finish and new construction as project manager for four years. After receiving his professional engineering license, he became Manager of Engineering in 2000 and Vice President of Engineering in 2004.
Today he serves as the Senior Vice President of Engineering. He manages our entire project management and engineering department, along with our in house CAD and BIM services.
Ron Briscoe
Vice President Service
Ron Briscoe started his HVAC career at Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee Okla 1980. He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State Tech with an Associate of Science Degree in 1984. That same year, he joined the newly formed Venture Mechanical as a service technician. He spent 3 years as a technician, before moving up to Service Supervisor, then to Service Manager. In 1992 he became an NEBB Certified Professional in Testing adjusting and balancing.
Today, as Vice President of Service he oversees our entire service department. His time is spent managing all aspects of machine startup, test and balance, service, and warranty repair.
Mary DeFrank
Vice President Human Resources
Mary DeFrank began her career with Venture Mechanical in 2002 as Office Manager and quickly took on the challenge of building a full-service Human Resources department. From the beginning, her focus has been on creating a positive employee experience and cultivating an atmosphere of care throughout the company.
Under Mary’s leadership, the HR department has continually evolved—managing compliance, sourcing and sustaining employee benefit programs, planning company events, and finding new ways to support employees and their families. In 2011, she earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), and in 2017 she was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources. Mary remains dedicated to developing programs and benefits that make Venture a place people are proud to call home.
James Stines
Chief Financial Officer
James Stines graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in Management before earning his master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. He began his career in 2003 with a local construction company as a Job Cost Accountant overseeing the Facilities and Major Projects groups. In 2005, he joined D.R. Horton as a Land Acquisition Accountant before coming to Venture in 2007.
At Venture, James began as a Senior Accountant overseeing Accounts Payable, later assuming responsibility for Accounts Receivable. In 2011, he was promoted to Controller, where he has been instrumental in upgrading job cost and accounting software, as well as streamlining processes that enabled his department to remain lean even as the company has experienced significant growth.