ARLINGTON, Va. - North American Technician Excellence (NATE) announced its 2010 Top Techs in September. The following were honored: Robert Allen, Tina Coop, Jack Bartell, Craig Elliott, Edward Grierson, and Michael Schatzer.

Allen is a service manager with CroppMetcalfe (Beltsville, Md.). He entered the HVACR business in 1974 working as a mechanic’s helper for the University of Maryland Physical Plant Refrigeration Shop. Since then he has worked as a residential and commercial service technician, service field supervisor, and a manager and factory rep.

Coop is another Top Tech at CroppMetcalfe. She joined the industry 25 years ago and currently serves as an assistant service manager. Coop holds NATE service and installation certifications in air conditioning, air-to-air heat pump, and gas furnace.

Bartell is director of service and training at Virginia Air (Richmond, Va.). His 40-year career in the HVACR industry includes positions as a service technician and service manager for a contracting business as well as service and training positions with an HVACR distributor and manufacturer. Bartell holds NATE service and installation certifications in air conditioning, air distribution, air-to-air heat pump, gas furnace and oil furnace.

Elliott, a senior sales technician with Parrish Services (Manassas, Va.), entered the business in 2000. He worked as a showroom salesman, maintenance tech and service technician before assuming his current position. Elliott holds NATE service and installation certifications in gas furnace, oil furnace, heat pump, air conditioning, and air distribution.

Grierson is the HVAC department manager with S. J. Johnson Inc. (Frederick, Md.). Prior to his current position, he worked as a helper, service technician, service manager, installation manager, general manager, and owner of his own business. Grierson holds NATE service and installation certifications in air conditioning, air-to-air heat pump, gas furnace, oil furnace, and hydronics oil.

Schatzer, an estimator and project foreman with Shapiro & Duncan Mechanical Contractors (Rockville, Md.), has held a variety of positions, including commercial HVAC apprentice, installer, service technician, lead HVAC technician and foreman. His current assignment is in the Special Projects Department. He holds NATE service and installation certifications in air conditioning, air distribution, air-to-air heat pump, gas furnace, oil furnace, hydronics gas, and hydronics oil.

For more information about NATE certification, visit www.hvacradvice.com.

Publication date:11/15/2010