A presentation given by Chris Van Rite, vice president of sales, M&M Manufacturing, Fort Worth, Texas, highlighted the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. ADI member companies, along with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and Texas Utilities (TXU), are co-funding this ongoing research effort. ESL's preliminary findings show substantial differences in flex-duct pressure drop performance to currently accepted performance data shown in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual D.

An overview presentation was also given by the Texas A&M Department of Marketing project team, which included student members William Cornwell, Maryann Overby, Lauren Trost, and Yulan Zhou. The marketing program focuses on the performance attributes of steel duct compared to alternative duct materials and the project is expected to be complete in December.

In business matters, Dan Lukjanczuk, ADI's outgoing president, accepted a recognition plaque from Harrigan Wortsmith, incoming ADI president. ADI presidents serve two-year terms. Lukjanczuk is president of Lukjan Metal Products, Conneaut, Ohio, and will continue his involvement in ADI.

Harrigan is president of The Wilkins Corp., Little Rock, Ark. His two-year term as ADI head commenced at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Steve Stephens, president of Cody Co., Ennis, Texas, was elected as ADI's vice president.

Publication date: 10/30/2006