ARLINGTON, VA. – (October 15, 2013) – North American Technician Excellence (NATE) elected a new Chairman as well as three new members to the Board of Trustees for the 2013-2014 term at its biannual meeting. The meeting was held on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at NATE headquarters in Arlington, VA.

The NATE Board of Trustees named Wade Mayfield, President of Thermal Services, Inc. of Omaha, NE as the 2013-2014 Chairman of the Board. Mayfield has been involved in the HVAC business for 13 years. Having started as a sheet metal apprentice, he learned the business from the ground up. He has been President of Thermal Services for seven years. Thermal Services has 130+ employees spanning three branches located in Omaha and O’Neill, NE, and Des Moines, IA. The company specializes in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing in both residential and commercial markets. Mayfield joined the NATE board in 2012 and has also served as Chairman of the Heating and Cooling Contractors Association (HACCA), a local contractor association.

“I am honored to be elected as Chairman of the NATE Board of Trustees,” said Mayfield. “As an HVACR professional and contractor, I know the value of NATE certification and am pleased to continue to work with NATE in this new role.”

Chris Baker, President of Virginia Air Distributors and David Swift, President and CEO of Goodman/Amana, will continue to serve as Vice-Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively for the 2013-2014 term. Donald Frendberg assumed the role of Immediate Past Chairman. NATE also recognized the dedication and commitment of retiring board members Mitchell Cropp of Cropp-Metcalfe, and Whit Perry of Northwest Mississippi Community College.

The newly elected members to the NATE Board of Trustees are Chris Nelson, President for Carrier Residential and Commercial Systems (RCS); Scott Goulet, President of M.E Flow, Inc. of Leesburg, VA; and David McIlwaine, President, CEO and Founder of HVAC Distributors, Inc. of Mount Joy, PA.

“I proudly welcome Wade and the new members of the NATE Board of Trustees and sincerely thank our retiring members for their service,” said NATE COO John Lanier. “NATE continues to set the standards for quality HVACR technicians and I look forward to working with the NATE Board and staff to advance its vision.”

The remaining 2013-2014 members of the NATE Board of Trustees are:

• Dan Ashenden, Publisher, Mechanical Systems Group, Penton Media, Inc.
• Spencer G. Atkins, President & COO, Weathertech Dist. CO., Inc.
• Gary S. Bedard, Vice President & General Manager, Lennox Industries
• Marc E. Bridgens, Dean of School of Construction & Design Technologies, Pennsylvania College Of Technology
• Dan Foley, President, Foley Mechanical Inc.
• Talbot Gee, Executive Vice President/COO, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
• Distributors International (HARDI)
• Darrell Garrison, TAB/Service Specialist, International Training Institute
• Donald E. Jenkins, Service Manager, Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
• Gerard “Gerry” Kennedy, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
• Harlan “Skip” Krepcik, CMS, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Region 4 Director
• Mark A. Lowry, Executive Vice President, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
• Mike Murphy, Publisher, The ACHR NEWS
• Ed Purvis, Executive Vice President, Emerson Climate Technologies
• Wayne R. Reedy, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)
• Paul Stalknecht, President & CEO, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
• Terry Tanker, Publisher, HVACR Business
• Chandler von Schrader, Program Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Stephen R.Yurek, President/CEO, Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

About North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Headquartered in Arlington, Va., NATE was founded in 1997 as the nation’s largest industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. NATE tests technicians while others train. Testing validates the technician’s knowledge and a training program’s instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests. Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in nine specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronics gas, hydronics oil, and commercial, light commercial, refrigeration and senior efficiency analyst. NATE also offers the International Ground Source Heat Pump test. For more information about NATE, visit www.natex.org.

ARLINGTON, VA. – (September 19, 2013) NATE is proud to announce that Loran Dailey has been awarded the 2013 Golden Toolbox Award.

Presented at Comfortech 2013 in Philadelphia, the Golden Toolbox Award recognizes an industry professional who demonstrates outstanding service, support, and advocacy for technician certification.

Dailey has nearly 50 years of experience in the HVACR industry. He began his career as an installer/service technician and also worked for GE/Trane as a field service rep, in field operations, technical support, and more. He did this while also owning and operating his own commercial HVACR contracting firm.

Dailey is also an instructor, teaching all aspects of a two-year HVAC vocational program and participated in the EPA’s 608 experience as a junior college instructor.

In 1995, Dailey was involved in the initial gathering of industry representatives to discuss an HVAC technician certification effort and served as one of a five-member team that formalized what ultimately became NATE. He served as chairperson of the Heat Pump test development team that led to the establishment of the NATE testing process. During his tenure with Trane and American Standard, he integrated NATE into Trane’s field organization. He served as co-chair of NATE’s Technical Committee from 1999 to 2011.

“We’re so pleased to present Loran Dailey with this year’s Golden Toolbox Award,” said John Lanier, NATE Chief Operating Officer. “He has played an instrumental role in NATE from its inception to present day and we thank him for his dedication to NATE and the HVACR industry.”

For more information about NATE certification, visit www.natex.org.

ARLINGTON, VA.–September 18, 2013 –This week, North American Technician Excellence (NATE), released its first digital edition of the NATE Magazine. The digital issue expands on the previously annual publication to bring awareness to contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers, utilities, and others in the HVACR industry on why NATE-certified technicians are so important to their businesses. The free publication is available on the NATE website.

The theme of this issue highlights how NATE certification is a source of pride for many stakeholders in the HVACR industry. It opens with columns from NATE Board Chairman Donald Frendberg and new NATE Chief Operating Officer John Lanier. Lanier reviews the history of NATE in the industry and the organization’s plans to move forward with its new vision of “a NATE patch proudly worn on every technician’s shirt.” He also hints that there will be announcements made soon regarding updates to the NATE program that will better support technicians in maintaining their certifications.

A highlight of the publication is a review of the findings of a recent homeowner survey regarding NATE brand awareness, attitudes, and perceptions, along with suggestions to contractors on how to promote NATE to homeowners. In an Industry Insight from veteran contractor Mitchell Cropp, CEO of CroppMetcalfe in Fairfax, VA, he suggests that contractors would appreciate a marketing boost from equipment manufacturers as well. “If we’re going to make this thing go, the manufacturers need to step up and support the program and are going to have to promote NATE on all their marketing materials and advertising programs…And let’s face it, NATE certification helps the manufacturers too, because better installations mean better system operation and fewer warranty returns.”

Along with a listing of the top testing organizations to-date for 2013 is a profile of S.G. Torrice Co. of Wilmington, MA. The HVACR distributor, offering NATE testing since 1999, is a firm believer in NATE because it adds value to the entire channel, from the manufacturer through the consumer. Phil Valpey, senior technical representative at S.G. Torrice says, “The end user of the products that we sell deserves the best possible experience from the technicians that install and do the service for them. When a technician achieves certification, we feel that he has the ability to represent our products the way the manufacturer expects.” He adds, “Our literature and website prominently display the NATE logo, and we advise end users to use NATE-certified technicians. You can’t repeat that message too often.”

The issue concludes with a visit to contracting business Service Legends of Des Moines, IA, which holds the distinction of employing 10 percent of the nation’s HVACR technicians with the NATE senior-level HVAC Efficiency Analyst certification.  This HVAC Efficiency Analyst certification is designed for the highest level senior technician and the qualifying exam measures what 80 percent of candidates have an 80 percent likelihood of encountering at least once during the year on a national basis.  Fewer than 100 technicians nationwide have earned the certification.

Brian Leech, president of Service Legends, credits its technician certification program though NATE as one of the reasons his business is booming. Leech describes NATE certification as a “badge of honor” that helps to build pride in his team.

For more information about NATE, visit www.natex.org.

About North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Headquartered in Arlington, Va., NATE was founded in 1997 as the nation’s largest industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. NATE tests technicians while others train. Testing validates the technician’s knowledge and a training program’s instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests. Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in nine specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronics gas, hydronics oil, and commercial, light commercial, refrigeration and senior efficiency analyst. NATE also offers the International Ground Source Heat Pump test. For more information about NATE, visit www.natex.org.

NATE is a proud sponsor of the first annual PHCC Educational Foundation HVAC Apprentice Contest. The contest will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17 at the CONNECT 13 product and technology showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVAC apprentice contest features competitors from around the United States who will demonstrate their skills in brazing, refrigerant recovery and recharging, taking readings on a package unit, electrical diagnostics, and basic electrical wiring.

For more information on Connect 13, click here.

ARLINGTON, VA. – (September 3, 2013) – North American Technician Excellence (NATE) in partnership with Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), is offering NATE certification testing at the 76th RSES Conference and HVACR Technology Expo, in conjunction with the EKA 50th Annual Conference. The annual conference runs October 23-26 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.

The NATE test session is scheduled for October 23, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. in the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Edenburg Room. Technicians can choose to take the NATE Core exam and/or a NATE specialty exam for $100.00 each.

One of the ways technicians can prepare for the NATE exams is to attend a four-hour course hosted by RSES in the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Grand Station III Room, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The course will be led by RSES Certified Trainer Art Miller, CMS.

NATE will also host Exhibitor Showcase session on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. during the Technology Expo for those who wish to learn more about NATE certification.

“NATE is pleased to partner with RSES to offer NATE testing during its annual conference. Through its products and services, RSES has helped thousands of technicians successfully pursue NATE certification.  We hope technicians from far and wide take advantage of the opportunity to take the NATE exam this while attending the RSES Conference and HVACR Technology Expo,” said NATE COO John Lanier.

“RSES is delighted NATE continues its prominent role in our Annual Conference,” says RSES EVP Mark Lowry.  “NATE certification and RSES education are a natural fit and we’re delighted to be able to offer technicians both opportunities at once.  There’s no better place for HVACR professionals to expand their knowledge, and earn the credentials to prove it!”

In addition, RSES is waiving the one-day conference registration fee for those who register for the NATE course and test session.  For more information, visit www.rses.org/conference.aspx

NATE test session registration forms are available on the NATE website (www.natex.org/nate-events/rses-annual-conference-and-hvacr-technology-expo) and the RSES website (www.rses.org). 

Headquartered in Arlington, Va., NATE was founded in 1997 as the nation’s largest industry-endorsed, non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in specialty areas including air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronics gas, hydronics oil, and commercial, light commercial refrigeration and senior efficiency analyst. NATE also offers the International Ground Source Heat Pump test. For more information about NATE, visit www.natex.org.

RSES is the world’s leading education, training and certification association for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration professionals. RSES credentials include its Active Specialized Member, Certificate Member and Certificate Member Specialist categories, as well as one of the largest EPA Section 608 certification programs in the industry. Founded in 1933, RSES is a non-profit organization of more than 11,000 members in nearly 150 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, as well as affiliate organizations worldwide. For more information, visit www.rses.org.

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The NATE office will be closed Monday, September 2nd in observance of the Labor Day. The office will reopen during normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3rd.

To prepare for our closure, we recommend contacting us in advance for NATE ID’s, PIN numbers, testing instructions, or any other pertinent information needed at 877-420-6283.