ARLINGTON, Virginia, United States, 15 November 2019: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) held its inaugural Leadership Forum from November 10 to 12 in Puerto Rico, during which it elected its new officers and presented awards to industry leaders, the body announced through a Press release.

“The dedication of these industry leaders makes it possible for AHRI to continue to be the recognized voice of the industry and a reliable source for information,” said AHRI President and CEO, Stephen Yurek. “We are very grateful for their service to AHRI and the HVACR and water heating industry.”

L-R: AHRI Chairman Bill Steel and Byron Horak, Intertek with the Public Service Award

According to the release, AHRI’s new Chairman is John Galyen, President (North America), Danfoss.

The officers and Executive Committee are…
Vice Chairman: Mike Schwartz, CEO, Daikin Applied
Vice Chairman: Ron Duncan, President, Magic Aire
Treasurer: Megan Fellinger, President & CEO, Morrison Products
Past Chairman: Bill Steel, President & CEO, Bard Manufacturing

L-R: AHRI Chairman Bill Steel and Rusty Tharp, Goodman Manufacturing, with the  Richard C. Schulze Award

The Board of Directors are…
Kevin Beckett, President, R W Beckett
Gary Bedard, EVP, President and COO Worldwide Refrigeration, Lennox
Mike Branson, President, Rheem Manufacturing Co.
Bruce Carnevale, President and CEO, Bradford White Corp.
Elizabeth Haggerty, VP and GM Global Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls
Chris Nelson, President, Carrier Residential and Commercial Systems
Brent Schroeder, President Air Conditioning Business, Emerson
Donny Simmons, President, Commercial HVACR, Ingersoll Rand
John Swann, President, Weil-McLain
Kevin Wheeler, President (NA, Europe and India), A.O. Smith

L-R: AHRI Chairman Bill Steel and Michael Woodford, AHRI, with the Distinguished Service Award 

The event was an occasion for recognising notable work towards the cause of the industry. AHRI gave away the Richard C. Schulze Award for distinguished service and commitment to AHRI and the industry’s goals and objectives. According to the release, the winners of the Award were…

• Henry “Skip” Ernst, Daikin Applied
• Joe Sanchez, Bitzer US
• Rusty Tharp, Goodman Manufacturing
• Robert Whitwell, Carrier

AHRI presented the Public Service Award to Byron Horak of Intertek.

L-R: AHRI Chairman Bill Steel with Joe Sanchez, Bitzer U.S., Richard C. Schulze Award 

According to the release, the Distinguished Service Award is AHRI’s highest honor; it recognises industry leaders who have made significant contributions throughout their careers. AHRI honoured Mike Woodford, retiring this year from AHRI after 42 years of service.