ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is offering a new mentoring program exclusively for its members. According to the group, the ACCA Mentor Program will bring together contractors with less than five to eight years of experience with successful, noncompeting contractors in order to share experiences and knowledge.

The program is the brainchild of ACCA chairman Skip Snyder, who introduced the concept in his inaugural address at the 2004 annual conference. "We'll give these contractors a chance to learn, one-on-one, from contractors who've been there, who know the ins-and-outs, and who know how to succeed," he said.

All aspects of the program are conducted by phone or e-mail at times that are convenient to both parties. The amount of time spent also is up to the contractors to decide. ACCA is seeking voluntary mentors, in addition to proteges who would like to work with a mentor. Members can access registration forms by visiting www.acca.org/mentor.