Her dad is Ric Burlie, who, along with two partners, started the company in 1980. He eventually became the sole owner of a business that grew slowly but surely, by servicing a wide variety of commercial customers in the Toronto region.As Ric nears approaches full retirement, Kelly is a major contributor to TRI-AIR’s daily activity and continued success.
We are pleased to present Kelly Burns with one of two 2017 HVAC Women of the Year awards.
She began as all company kids do, by performing light office work. When the company accountant moved on, high-school- age Kelly took up the accounting duties.
Time went by, and about two years into her studies to become a paralegal, Ric suffered a massive heart attack. Kelly was soon juggling college courses and doing all she could to keep the business running while Ric was recuperating. When he decided to reduce his workload, Kelly began to learn more about business, and about running a mechanical service firm. She also became a certified general accountant.
When not at work or at home raising two children, you can find her at an industry event or educational forum. She also picks up courses in advanced accounting and marketing as time permits.“Kelly takes this job very seriously, and is always trying to find more ways to gain sales and find efficiencies within the company,” says her husband Chris Burns, TRI-AIR's technical service manager.“I oversee everything, from running the back shop and ordering supplies, to payroll, to developing new systems,” she says. “But I do bounce things off my dad. He’s really awesome. I can call, text, or email him at any time, and he