Who We Are
Meet our Team
Brad Smith, TBE
President & Founder | Optimum Air & Water
Brad Smith, TBE
President & Founder | Optimum Air & Water
Throughout his career, Brad has led Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing services for a diverse portfolio of projects, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, medical office buildings, laboratories, educational institutions, commercial office buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, government buildings, data centers, and other mission-critical environments. His extensive field experience and practical understanding of HVAC systems enable him to identify complex performance challenges and develop solutions that improve occupant comfort, energy efficiency, system reliability, and long-term operational performance.
As an AABC Certified Test & Balance Engineer, Brad is committed to upholding the highest standards of technical competency, professionalism, and independence. He believes that every project deserves objective testing, precise documentation, and results that owners, engineers, and contractors can trust. His leadership is guided by integrity, accountability, and a dedication to exceeding client expectations on every project.
In 2020, Brad founded Optimum Air & Water with the vision of creating an independent TAB firm built on experience, honesty, and exceptional customer service. Under his leadership, the company has become a trusted partner throughout the Carolinas by delivering responsive service, technical expertise, and quality-driven solutions without the influence of corporate quotas or shareholder demands.
Although he serves as President, Brad remains actively engaged in project execution and field operations, believing that hands-on leadership is essential to maintaining the company's reputation for excellence. His passion for mentoring the next generation of TAB professionals and his commitment to continuous improvement continue to shape the culture of Optimum Air & Water and reinforce its mission of delivering trusted, independent HVAC Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing services that consistently exceed client expectations.
Van Brannon
Director of Operations
Van Brannon
Director of Operations
Van Brannon brings more than 30 years of leadership, operational management, facility oversight, and organizational development experience to Optimum Air & Water. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for strategic leadership, process improvement, team development, and operational excellence across both public and private sector organizations.
Van spent 26 years in the Parks and Recreation profession, serving in leadership roles that included Recreation Director. Throughout his career, he oversaw three operational divisions, managed a $3.5 million annual budget, His responsibilities included personnel management, budgeting, program development, facility operations, capital planning, and community engagement. Through his leadership, he successfully managed complex operations while delivering high-quality recreational programs and services to the communities he served.
One of the most significant accomplishments of his public service career was his involvement in the planning, development, and construction of a sports and recreation center valued at more than $8 million. Working closely with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and community stakeholders, Van played a key role in guiding the project from concept to completion. The facility continues to serve as a valuable community asset and reflects his commitment to long-term planning, collaboration, and operational excellence.
Today, as Director of Operations for Optimum Air & Water, Van plays a vital role in supporting the company’s continued growth and success. He oversees a wide range of administrative and operational functions, including proposal development, human resources, billing, database management, process improvement, and internal operations. His leadership helps ensure that projects, personnel, and business systems operate efficiently while supporting the company’s commitment to quality, client satisfaction, and operational excellence.
Known for his strong organizational skills, collaborative leadership style, and attention to detail, Van works closely with employees, clients, and business partners to foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement. His ability to streamline operations, develop effective systems, and support organizational growth enables Optimum Air & Water to consistently deliver exceptional service while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, quality, and performance.
Van is passionate about building strong teams, creating efficient processes, and developing environments where employees can thrive and clients receive outstanding service. His leadership and operational expertise continue to play an important role in advancing Optimum Air & Water’s mission of being the preferred HVAC Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing firm in the Carolinas.
Craig Fincher, TBE
Vice President of Construction
Craig Fincher, TBE
Vice President of Construction
With more than 30 years of experience in the Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) industry, Craig Fincher has dedicated his career to ensuring HVAC systems operate efficiently, reliably, and in accordance with industry standards. Since beginning his TAB career in 1993, Craig has worked on a diverse range of complex commercial and industrial projects.
His project experience includes hospitals, aircraft manufacturing facilities, automotive plants, chemical and plastics processing facilities, bioengineering laboratories, data centers, telecommunications facilities, churches, warehouses, military installations, and other specialized environments where precision HVAC performance is critical. Craig has successfully completed projects for some of the nation’s most recognized organizations, where HVAC reliability and system performance are essential to mission-critical operations.
As an AABC Certified Test and Balance Engineer (TBE), Craig has demonstrated a commitment to technical excellence and adherence to the highest standards in the TAB profession. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for accuracy, professionalism, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to solving complex HVAC performance challenges.
As Director of Training for Optimum Air & Water, Craig leads the development and implementation of technical training programs based on AABC standards and procedures. He is dedicated to ensuring that technicians and engineers develop the knowledge, skills, and professionalism necessary to perform Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing services at the highest level. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on field development, Craig helps foster a culture of leadership, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence throughout the organization. His commitment to developing future leaders ensures that Optimum Air & Water continues to uphold the rigorous standards and professional integrity that have made AABC the industry’s benchmark for quality and performance.
One of Craig’s greatest passions is mentoring and developing the next generation of TAB professionals. He takes pride in teaching the principles, procedures, and standards established by AABC, helping future technicians understand and maintain the quality, integrity, and professionalism the industry demands.
Known for his practical, solutions-oriented mindset and strong client relationships, Craig enjoys solving challenging HVAC performance issues and working closely with owners, contractors, engineers, facility managers, and clients to help ensure project success. His goal is to deliver accurate, reliable results while building lasting relationships founded on professionalism, integrity, and trust.
Rudy Aguilar, TBE
Senior TBE
Rudy Aguilar, TBE
Senior TBE
Rudy Aguilar, TBE, is a highly accomplished Test & Balance Engineer with 19 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for delivering accurate system performance evaluations, optimizing HVAC operations, and ensuring projects meet the highest standards of efficiency, comfort, and compliance.
As a certified (TBE) professional, Rudy has developed extensive expertise in healthcare HVAC systems, where precision, reliability, and compliance are critical to patient care environments. Over the course of his 19-year career, he has led total system balancing efforts for hospitals, medical office buildings, surgical centers, and specialty healthcare facilities, ensuring that ventilation, pressurization, temperature control, and air quality systems perform as designed. His healthcare experience is complemented by a diverse portfolio of commercial, institutional, industrial, and mission-critical projects. Known for his technical knowledge, attention to detail, and collaborative approach, Rudy works closely with owners, engineers, contractors, and commissioning teams to optimize system performance, support regulatory requirements, and deliver safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient building environments.
Rudy has successfully contributed to a wide range of projects, providing expert TAB services that help ensure HVAC systems perform in accordance with design intent and industry standards. His ability to identify performance deficiencies, troubleshoot complex mechanical systems, and implement practical solutions has earned him the trust of owners, contractors, engineers, and facility managers alike.
At Optimum Air & Water, Rudy serves as a Senior Test & Balance Engineer, His commitment to excellence, accuracy, and client satisfaction helps organizations achieve optimal building performance, maintain critical environmental conditions, and maximize long-term system reliability.
Our Experience
We are a client-focused, professional firm dedicated to delivering exceptional performance, quality, and service. With decades of expertise in the testing, adjusting, and balancing industry. We ensure precision and excellence in every project.
Our Journey
Founded in November 2020, Optimum Air & Water is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and is strategically positioned to serve clients throughout North and South Carolina. Since our founding, we have been committed to delivering reliable, high-quality testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) services with a focus on precision, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to enhance indoor air quality in controlled environments by optimizing efficiency, ensuring comfort, and maintaining strict compliance with industry standards.
Our Vision
At Optimum, our Vision is driven by integrity and a deep commitment to serving our clients and employees with excellence—both in and out of the workplace. Through our dedication to quality, trust, and continuous growth, we strive to become an industry leader, setting the standard for innovation and reliability.
Together, we are Optimum!
The Optimum Way
Customer Commitment | Professionalism | Accountability | Achieve Excellence Together