ASHRAE President

This page is used for updates from the president of ASHRAE on the activities, programs and other initiatives of the Society.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its more than 50,000 members worldwide focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability. Through research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. More information can be found at www.ashrae.org/news.

05/08/2026

I was able to visit with the ASHRAE Thailand Chapter in Bangkok from April 20-22. My visit started with a welcome dinner with ASHRAE Thailand Chapter Board of Governors (BOG) and Chapter Officers when I arrived.

I attended a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Public Health where we had a discussion with senior officials of the Department of Health Service Support (HSS), Ministry of Public Health, and I gave a presentation titled “The Role of ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines in Supporting Healthcare Facility Design, Indoor Air Quality, Infection Control, and Net Zero Pathways.”

Later in the day, I participated in a forum titled “Accelerating Net Zero Buildings in Thailand with ASHRAE Standards and Leadership”. This event brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, industry associations, professional organizations, academic representatives, and ASHRAE members.

The next day, I visited the Camfil distribution facility in Bangkok and learned about new approaches to indoor air quality. We also did a quick stop at Palace on the way to the airport. It was a busy but great visit.

05/06/2026

I’m proud to share that ASHRAE is strengthening its global footprint.
At ARBS 2026, I have joined AIRAH President Mikaila Ganado and AIRAH Chief Executive Sami Zheng to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding, marking a major step forward in international collaboration across the HVAC&R industry.
We anticipate that Members Council will approve a new Section in Syndey and New Zealand next month creating more opportunities for engagement.

04/24/2026

On April 14th, I attended a day-long conference titled, "Water Wellness for Healthy Buildings" in Hong Kong. I was honored to provide the welcome address on HVAC&R Water System Risk Management. My remarks connected my presidential theme - Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life - to the often-overlooked role of water in protecting human health. Framing water wellness as a source-to-tap, risk-managed system, I highlighted the importance of proactive design, strong operations, and clear accountability to prevent harm before it occurs, drawing on ASHRAE Guideline 12 and Standards 188 and 514.

On my last day in Hong Kong, I joined the ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter for a tour of the city's ESMD District cooling plant. It was built on the grounds of the old airport and uses seawater for cooling. It also won a technology award from the chapter.

04/17/2026

My first full day in Hong Kong was a busy one. The first stop was a technical tour to a mission critical facility where we visited a chilled water plant. The owners and the manufacturer representatives are very active Hong Kong Chapter members.

Next, I participated in the ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter 2026 Technology Awards Presentation Ceremony. I was honored to provide a formal welcome speech and to present the awards to the winners and merit awardees.

After that we visited with the faculty of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering.

Lastly, I attended the Hong Kong chapter Board of Governors meeting where I provided an overview of Society activities and we gathered for a traditional Chinese meal.

04/02/2026

Last week, I gave remarks in the Pennsylvania State Capital in support of Pennsylvania House Bill 2085 “Legionnaires’ Disease Risk Management." The bill would establish a comprehensive program for reducing the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease by strengthening disease prevention requirements for public water systems and the state Department of Health. It would also require certain building owners and operators to create a water management plan consistent with ASHRAE Standard 188, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, and Guideline 12, Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems.

To learn more about these resources and the importance of Water System Risk Management, visit the ASHRAE website: https://bit.ly/3YTVBSu

03/26/2026

I have just returned from a series of productive meetings in Washington D.C. alongside President-Elect Sarah Maston, Treasurer Ashish Rakheja, and Secretary Jeff Littleton. During our visit, we met with the offices of Senator David McCormick (PA) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD), officials from the U.S. EPA, and representatives from the ICC, AIA, BOMA, NEMA, UL Solutions, and UL Standards & Engagement.

03/14/2026

I've had a great time representing ASHRAE at ACREX this week. Thank you for everyone that came to the Meet and Greet yesterday and for all of the dedicated members who helped in the ASHRAE booth.

Today is the last day of ACREX so don't forget to stop by Booth G10.

03/09/2026

Come visit me at ACREX 2026! I will be at Booth G10 on Friday March 13 from 11-12 PM.

Come spin the prize wheel to receive exclusive ASHRAE gifts and don't forget to ask about ASHRAE's special discount code for purchases in the online bookstore. See you at the show!

02/24/2026

Last week, I had a technical tour with members of the ASHRAE Paraguay Chapter. The Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is a massive binational, renewable energy power plant on the Paraná River border between Brazil and Paraguay, inaugurated in 1984. As one of the world's largest, it creates 14,000 MW installed capacity, providing ~90% of Paraguay's and ~10% of Brazil's electricity. Ranked as a top producer of clean energy, it generated over 3 million GWh in 2024. The scale of this facility is amazing.

02/20/2026

I had an amazing visit with the ASHRAE South Brazil chapter February 9-10. It started with a dinner with chapter members at a traditional gaucho-style restaurant and performance.

The next day I met with the ASBRAV association and saw their new training center. When complete, they will be able to train technicians in all aspects of HVAC&R.

Lastly, we had a technical tour at CEITEC. The Centro Nacional de Tecnologia Electrônica Avançada S.A (CEITEC - National Center for Advanced Electronic Technology) is a Brazilian technology center specialized in project development and fabrication in microelectronics, i.e. integrated circuits, or "chips". I saw well designed mechanical systems that deliver highly filtered air and deionized water for the manufacturing process. I also saw some old friends - chillers that I was heavily involved in designing earlier in my career!

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180 Technology Parkway
Peachtree Corners, GA
30092

Website

http://www.ashrae.org/president

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