“Radiant contractors have been seeking a dynamic, contractor-focused organization for some time, and many have asked ACCA to expand an emphasis into that sector,” said Joe Nichter, ACCA 2011-2012 chairman. “The RHC will provide first-class representation and services for radiant and hydronics professionals that wish to be the best in their field.”

ACCA said that the changing indoor environment sector requires contractors of all kinds to master a wide variety of technologies, including air, hydronic, solar, geothermal, and other alternative energy services. The association noted that the addition of the RHC to the ACCA umbrella is part of its strategic plan to help its members compete in the modern business climate.

The RHC will be guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of leaders in this industry segment.

The first chairman of the RHC Advisory Committee will be Dan Foley. Foley is president of Foley Mechanical in Lorton, Va., a leading hydronics contractor, and a past chairman of the Radiant Panel Association (RPA). In addition to Foley, others serving on the RHC Advisory Committee are:

• Greg Jannone, William Jannone & Son, Bound Brook, N.J. (past chair, RPA)

• John Abularrage, Advanced Radiant Design, Stone Ridge, N.Y.

• Brian Stack, Stack Heating & Cooling, Avon, Ohio

• John Siegenthaler, Appropriate Designs, Holland Patent, N.Y.

• Mark Hottel, Harvey W. Hottel, Inc, Gaithersburg, Md.

• Dave Yates, F.W. Behler Inc., York, Pa.

• Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Caleffi, Milwaukee (past chair, RPA)

• Bill Shady, PE, Sustainable Design and Product Management, Santa Cruz, Calif.

“As a longtime active member of associations in both the air and radiant field, I am excited to see ACCA create this new organization,” said Foley. “It is definitely time for the many different elements of the indoor environment industry to come together under one umbrella for the betterment of all contractors. ACCA offers us an incredible opportunity to do just that. Since it is an organization of, by, and for the contractor, it gives us one strong voice in advocacy, while providing services specific to radiant professionals through the council.”

The RHC’s initial scope of work includes:

• The addition of a new Radiant & Hydronics educational track at the 2012 ACCA Conference, held March 5-8 in Las Vegas;

• The launch of a new monthly e-newsletter, Radiant Trends, specifically for RHC members;

• Development of a new two-day educational meeting specifically for radiant and hydronics professionals — the Hydronics Roundtable — to be held Fall 2012 as part of ACCA’s annual Contracting Week;

• Development of a new radiant-specific section of the ACCA website, featuring webinars, articles, and resources exclusively for RHC members;

• Addition of a hydronics-specific Contractor Directory on the ACCA website; and

• Inclusion of RHC input into ACCA’s broader activities in government relations, industry advocacy, education, communications, and standards development.

Membership in RHC will be open to all ACCA member companies; in addition to ACCA membership dues, a nominal RHC fee of $95 per year will be charged for participation in the council.

“The RHC is a continuing step as ACCA evolves with the changing industry,” said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “We can’t wait to see radiant- and hydronic-focused contractors reap the benefits of the council. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

Details about the Radiant & Hydronics Council, including information on how to join, will soon be available on ACCA’s website at www.acca.org. For more information, contact Kimya Bailey Cajchun at radiant@acca.org or 703-824-8845.

Publication date: 10/17/2011