Aquafire Welcomes Darran Huenefeld as Vice President of Sales, North America

Aquafire is thrilled to announce the appointment of Darren Huenefeld as Vice President of Sales, North America — a pivotal hire that signals our commitment to building one of the most robust dealer networks in the industry.

A Career Built on Relationships and Results

Darren is a sales professional who has spent his career mastering the art of the customer experience. With an outgoing personality and a genuine ability to listen — not just to what clients want, but to what they truly need — he has built a reputation for exceptional customer satisfaction and lasting loyalty. He has proven himself a top producer in every sales environment he has worked in, consistently combining people skills with deep product knowledge to deliver results.

His background is rooted in high-end and specialty products, having spent years selling luxury electronics and home automation systems at Commercial Electronics in the Greater Vancouver area. There, he worked with premium brands including Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Focal, Marantz, and NAD — crafting customized home theatre and automation solutions for discerning clients. This experience sharpened his ability to sell complex, premium products to a sophisticated audience, a skill set that translates directly to the Aquafire brand.

From Luxury Fireplaces to Leading a National Sales Force

Darren spent nearly six years as Sales Manager at Fireplace By Maxwell in North Vancouver, where he managed the full sales cycle for luxury gas fireplaces across a diverse range of markets — homeowners, builders, designers, contractors, and architects. He developed both B2B and B2C sales protocols to increase lead generation, optimize productivity, and drive profitability, while also managing day-to-day operations, coaching his sales team, and coordinating with trades and construction crews. It was here that Darren truly honed his expertise in the premium fireplace space.

He then went on to serve as Regional Sales Manager for Canada at Ortal Fireplaces, one of the most respected names in the industry, for three years. In that role, he deepened his understanding of dealer relationships and regional market dynamics across the Canadian market — experience that would prove invaluable in his next chapter.

The Right Person at the Right Time

Aquafire recently established its North American dealer network — a strategic initiative designed to bring our products closer to customers through trusted, local dealer partners. Growing a dealer network from the ground up requires a rare combination of strategic vision, industry relationships, and relentless execution. Darren has all three.

"We knew that building our dealer network the right way meant finding someone who had done it before — and done it well," said the Aquafire leadership team. "Darren was the clear choice. His experience in the premium fireplace and luxury goods space, his deep relationships across the industry, and his passion for building partnerships align perfectly with where Aquafire is headed."

Already Making an Impact

Since joining Aquafire in July 2025, Darren has wasted no time making his mark. Under his leadership, Aquafire has already onboarded 45 new dealers across North America — a remarkable achievement that reflects both the strength of the Aquafire brand and Darren's ability to open doors and close partnerships at speed.

His mandate is clear: maintain and strengthen existing dealer relationships across the USA, execute a comprehensive rollout strategy for Aquafire in Canada, and cultivate strategic partnerships that maximize product distribution, visibility, and overall sales growth. These new dealer relationships span key markets across the United States and Canada, laying the foundation for a truly national distribution network.

Looking Ahead

With Darren at the helm of North American sales, Aquafire is well-positioned to continue its rapid dealer network expansion. His focus in the coming months will be on deepening relationships with existing dealer partners, onboarding new dealers in strategic markets, and building the infrastructure needed to support a growing network at scale.

We’re excited about what’s ahead — and we’re just getting started.

Welcome to the team, Darren. Let’s build something great.