Jack Peterson began his career in the HVAC industry in 1971 as a Sales Engineer with H.B. Shephard Company. Working closely with Hugh Shephard, the Baltimore Aircoil Company Representative, Jack gained invaluable hands-on experience in heat rejection, fan power, fluid flow, and advanced engineering practices—learning from one of the best in the business.

From 1978 to 1987, Jack expanded his technical expertise at American Air Filter, where he deepened his knowledge in water-source heat pumps, air filtration systems, and hospital-grade air handling units.

He then served as Regional Manager at The Compressor Store, where he focused on mastering the refrigerant cycle and understanding complex system interfaces.

In 1991, Jack began working with IDM Controls, selling Yaskawa-manufactured Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). His passion for the industry and commitment to excellence led him to establish the J.D. Peterson Company in April 1998. Since then, Jack has continuously applied his decades of HVAC experience to deliver top-tier service and solutions.

In August 2012, Jack’s daughter, Maggie Peterson, joined the company. Since joining the company, Maggie has served as the lead engineer and sales representative, later becoming Vice President. She leads large-project bidding efforts, manages the parts division, and handles a majority of VFD startups, repairs, and on-site trainings.

Bringing a unique blend of technical and analytical expertise, Maggie has developed deep specialization in Yaskawa’s later generation variable frequency drives, particularly the Z1000 and HV600 series.

Prior to entering the HVAC industry, Maggie built a successful career in medical device and pharmaceutical market research.

Working alongside her father, Jack Peterson, Maggie helps lead J.D. Peterson Company with a strong commitment to technical excellence and a personalized, hands-on approach to customer support.