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The CTS Team

Our CTS team brings you plenty of combined skill and knowledge. Enough to meet all of your project needs in the most economical way possible. Our cohesive team of highly-trained and experienced professionals is responsible for your projects from the first designs to implementation and delivery. These people are instrumental in making each project a success, both initially and long term.

Our staff consists of seasoned veterans with an average of more than 20 years of industry experience in multiple fields of engineering and project management, including:

  • Professional Engineers
  • Certified Energy Managers
  • Green Building Engineers
  • LEED Accredited Professionals
  • Certified Measurement and Verification Professionals
  • Certified Energy Associates
  • Controls Engineers

This kind of professional experience provides our customers a valuable asset. Each employee is up to date with immense knowledge of changing technologies and systems in their specific industries. Continuing education and training are ongoing. This is to make sure our clients get the best team available who can also deliver the best state-of-the-art solutions.

Our Management Team

With the experience possessed by the management team, you can see why the CTS Group is continuing its rapid growth.  Not only are these people great leaders of CTS, but for an entire industry as well.

Bob_BennettBob Bennett, Managing Partner

For nearly thirty years, Bob has been helping school districts, higher education and government customers develop innovative solutions for deteriorating infrastructures, revitalizing existing facilities. Bob, along with his friend and business association Scott Ririe, was instrumental in the development and passage of Missouri’s guaranteed energy cost savings contracts legislation.

In 2000, Bob and Scott launched the CTS Group to be a responsive and customer oriented energy services company. As a managing partner, Bob gives customers a direct line of communication with one of the owners of the company, reaffirming the company’s commitment to meeting customers’ project objectives. It is top priority to exceed customer expectations and proof of this are our multiple repeat customers for additional performance contract needs, building remodels/additions, and complete new buildings.

As a leader of the company, Bob maintains close relationships with all CTS Group customers through the many professional associations and industry related organizations.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Kansas, and is based out of the St. Louis office.

Scott_RirieScott Ririe, Managing Partner

Scott has spent his thirty-plus year career committed to improving learning and working environments in the public and private sectors. Scott currently sits on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Energy Services Companies (NAESCO), a further testimony to his ongoing commitment to energy efficiency.

Scott’s career began in the energy services corporate world where he perfected his skills in sales, sales management, and district management. From this vantage point, Scott was able to see the need for responsive and customer oriented energy services offerings. In 2000 Scott and Bob Bennett formed the CTS Group to fill this industry void. Since its inception, Scott has been focused on guiding CTS in growth and customer satisfaction.

Scott’s talents have prepared him to help CTS hire, train, and retain talented people to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction on each and every project. The reason for sustained growth has been the commitment to customer satisfaction by every person working at the CTS Group.

Scott is a graduate of Cornell College, and is involved in many professional and industry organizations maintaining close relationships with CTS Group customers. Scott is based out of the St. Louis office.


Tony_JokerstTony Jokerst, CFO

Tony is a talented financial professional with more than twenty five years of experience in operational, financial, and executive responsibilities in the HVAC field. Tony brings hands-on knowledge and experience to the CTS Group which allows him to guide and maintain the financial strength of the company.

Prior to the CTS Group, Tony was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Marco Sales, Inc., one of America’s largest HVAC equipment vendors. While holding this position, he developed contractor, operations and financial management systems, and provided business consulting for his clients on a one-to-one basis.

Tony received his B.S. in Administration from Southeast Missouri State and earned a MBA from the University of Missouri. He is based out of the CTS St. Louis office.


david_strensrudDavid Stensrud, Director of Operations

Dave has been in the HVAC and construction industry for over thirty years. During this time, he has gained experience in all aspects of both new and retrofit construction processes. Before coming to the CTS Group, Dave was instrumental in handling large accounts for Honeywell such as Boeing, Raytheon and John Deere.

Dave’s experience in hiring, training, and overseeing operations is a perfect fit, and ensures that the CTS Group is properly staffed with excellent people to help turn our customers’ dreams into reality. Dave’s technical engineering background allows him to provide a well-rounded expertise, which is why you’ll find him involved with all CTS projects. Dave works out of the CTS Des Moines office.


blumfelderJim Blumfelder, Director of Project Development

Jim oversees the CTS Group’s engineering team in all aspects of the development and design of projects. With over twenty five years of experience, he guides the team’s expertise in evaluating, analyzing, reviewing, engineering and designing projects that enhance our customers’ facilities and systems with energy efficient solutions. Jim is well versed and experienced in all aspects of the construction process as well as mechanical, electrical, lighting and control systems.

Jim also coordinates the CTS Group’s measurement and verification process for the accurate audit and analyses of energy usage of facilities and systems as required by the

Federal Energy Management Program of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Jim holds certifications in Industrial Electronic Engineering and Geothermal Design Engineering and is EPA Refrigerant Certified. Jim is based out of the St. Louis office.