As 2011 comes to an end, The NEWS is proud to announce this year’s NEWSmakers. While the industry faced many challenges this year, this group of industry members did not sit around and wait to react. Instead, they proactively responded to the biggest issues affecting the HVAC industry.

The 2011 NEWSmakers have taken the initiative to lead out on a number of issues that will greatly impact the industry, including everything from regional residential equipment standards to R-22 dry-shipping and social media to accounting regulations. Their efforts exemplify what it means to be a leader.

Four of this year’s honorees are individuals who are leading their respective companies and associations in bold new directions. The fifth honoree is an industry coalition that worked tirelessly over the past year to prevent a burdensome regulation that would have harmed contractors.

The NEWS is proud to honor the 2011 NEWSmakers. See their stories by clicking on the links below.

NEWSmakers: Movers and Shakers of 2011

• John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer for the Climate, Controls and Security Systems business unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTC) — see “Mandyck Urges EPA to Close R-22 Loophole”

• Greg Crumpton, president and founder of AirTight Mechanical — see “Crumpton Swings Social Media Machete”

• Talbot Gee, executive vice president and COO of the Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) — see “2011 Was a Big Year for HARDI and Talbot Gee”

• Stephen Yurek, president and CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) — see “Yurek Looks Ahead and Leads Industry Forward”

• The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Construction Industry FASB Coalition (CIFC) — see “MCAA Coalition Fights for Members”

Publication date: 12/19/2011