George left Columbia in the late 80s to work with CES Thermal, which later became Industra. In 1998, he started his own company, and to honor those who had mentored him, George named his company Columbia Thermal Services, using one word from each company’s name. He enjoyed a long and prosperous career as a business owner and insulator until he happily retired in 2018.
George Thompson was awarded Honorary Life Membership in the BCICA in December 2023. George began his career as an insulator in the early 70s, right after graduation, earning $3.01/hr for Combustion Engineering at the Mackenzie Pulp Mill. A year later he started as a field insulator with Columbia Insulation, and in 1974, he went to BCIT for his apprenticeship. He supplemented this learning with night school, where he learned blueprint reading and estimation. This brought him into Columbia Insulation’s office and to the company’s secretary, who he eventually married.
George has been an important and valuable resource to the BCICA. He was a key participant in developing the BCICA Best Practices Manual, devoting countless hours to ensuring it reflected professional installation methods that were understood by BCICA members as well as engineers.
George participated in numerous presentations to various engineering firms and has promoted the QAC since its development in 2015. He participated in a cross Canada industry review of the Red Seal program for mechanical insulation and represented BC and BCICA in ensuring that the program represented the mechanical insulation industry fairly and professionally.
When requested, George provided his expertise on many occasions to help interpret specifications, resolve disputes, and selflessly and modestly support BCICA’s ideals. He continued as a technical resource before and after he left the Board, assisting engineers and educating BCICA designated inspectors.
George continues to represent the best in the BCICA and the best in the mechanical industry leadership.▪
