2014 Best Instructor winner Brian Forbes watches as students check a system for leaks. Forbesâ?? course is the last class HVACR students take before graduating from the HVACR program at Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton, Florida.
2014 Best Instructor winner Brian Forbes watches as students check a system for leaks. Forbes’ course is the last class HVACR students take before graduating from the HVACR program at Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton, Florida.

Each year, The NEWS and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) ask readers to help us recognize the industry’s very best educators. This year, 95 separate nominations were whittled down to just four winners — the best of the best — who are honored in this issue. These individuals are not only experts in their fields, they are inspirations to students, coworkers, and fellow HVACR professionals.

Therefore, it is our pleasure to announce the winners of the 15th annual Best Instructor Contest and the third annual Best Trainer Contest. These four men have worked tirelessly to not only become leaders in their fields, but to also share their knowledge and skills with others in order to help them succeed.

Brian Forbes, HVACR instructor at Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton, Florida, has earned the title of 2014 Best Instructor. Chris Compton, founder and CEO of HVACRedu.net, received runner-up honors.

Gerry Wagner, director of technical training at Motors and Armatures Inc. (MARS)/Heat Controller, earned the title of 2014 Best Trainer while Rick Streacker, national training manager for Packard Inc., received runner-up honors.

Forbes, Compton, Wagner, and Streacker continue to be leading examples of how the industry is constantly shaping its next generation. Learn more about this year’s Best Instructors and Trainers by clicking on their names below:

Best Instructor Brian Forbes

Best Instructor Runner-Up Chris Compton

Best Trainer Gerry Wagner

Best Trainer Runner-Up Rick Streacker

Publication date: 11/24/2014

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