Salute to Construction: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE, is an international organization with more than 50,000 members. The local Ozarks ASHRAE chapter, which was founded in 1985, has 62 members and meets on the third Tuesday of each month through the academic year.

ASHRAE’s mission is to advance the art and science of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. The organization accomplishes this mission through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education. Membership is open to anyone associated with the heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning fields, including indoor air quality, building design and operation, and environmental control for food processing and industry.

Our 2010–11 officers are: Ron Bogart, president; Allen Davis, treasurer; Jennifer Winslow, secretary; Earl Burk, research promotion chairman; Mark Schober, chapter technologies transfer chairman; and Joe Larson, membership chairman; and I am the historian.

The Ozarks ASHRAE chapter hosted the conference for Region IX Aug. 12–14 in Springfield. Delegates and representatives from 13 chapters attended and conducted regional business sessions, as well as enjoyed social activities such as a golf tournament at Payne Stewart Golf Club, a tour of Fantastic Caverns and a ride on the Branson Belle. At the regional awards ceremony, the Ozarks chapter received several awards, including the Presidential Award of Excellence and a Gold Ribbon award for the chapter history.

This year, the Ozarks chapter will host the national president, Lynn G. Bellenger, PE, in the spring as well as general meetings covering topics such as variable frequency drive reduced harmonic technology and Wal-Mart’s energy-saving initiatives on HVAC, lighting and refrigeration. In addition, the chapter will host a fall skeet shooting tournament and its annual spring golf tournament. Funds raised at the annual golf tournament go to support ASHRAE research to advance knowledge in heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration related fields.

Naomi Fisher is the historian for ASHRAE’s Ozarks chapter. For more information, visit www.ozarksashrae.org.