ARLINGTON, Va. — The board of directors of North American Technician Excellence (NATE) announced that it has renewed the organization’s contract with the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to provide in-house services, including accounting, human resources, and government relations. The board has also formed a committee to conduct a search for a new president to replace Peter Schwartz, who resigned to pursue other interests.

“In these economic times, it is important for NATE to remain lean and flexible and stay focused on the strategic responsibilities before it. It is essential that we continue to make use of the resources available through AHRI to provide support staff and services that are in harmony with what is best for both organizations,” said Don Frendberg, NATE chairman, who will continue to lead the organization until a new president is found.

Frendberg stated that NATE is sound, is financially strong, and is experiencing significant growth in HVACR technician certifications and re-certifications. There currently are more than 30,600 NATE-certified technicians in all 50 states, holding 36,800 credentials. “Certified technicians are required to be recertified every five years and, at the end of the first quarter of this year, more than 25 percent of those eligible have completed their re-certifications,” Frendberg said.