Hvacr contractors from all over California met recently with ACCA chairman Jim Hussey and ACCA president and ceo Paul Stalknecht in Irwindale and San Ramon to discuss the need for a statewide association to represent the hvacr contracting industry.

“Contracting business owners made it clear that decisions are being made in Sacramento that have had a negative impact on the contracting industry,” said Stalknecht. “ACCA will bring our aggressive strategies to bear in California to help contractors excel.”

Hussey, who is president of Marina Mechanical in San Leandro, CA, pointed out that a new California ACCA is the first step in one of his major goals for the association in 2002: the strengthening of the ACCA grassroots network through the development of at least five new state ACCA affiliates.

“The ACCA federation is designed to provide contractors solid value, representation, and service at all levels — national, state, and local,” Hussey said. “Ultimately our goal is to provide hvacr contractors throughout the country, at the very least, a state or regional association to serve their interests. This year we are focused on building at least five new state affiliates to add to the ACCA federation. I’m pleased that my home state is first.”

Several contractors have agreed to serve on the interim ACCA California Board of Directors. They are scheduled to meet soon to develop organizational by-laws, a dues schedule, and elect officers. Members of the interim board include the following: Rus Andrews, Indoor Environmental Services, Sacramento; Henry Buffalow, Buffalo’s Facilities Services, Milpetas; Dennis Couch, Therma-Cool, Riverside; Tom Fekya, FM Thomas Air Conditioning, Brea; Bryan Gilbert, Process Cooling & Heating, Santa Ana; Dan Johnson, American Chiller Services, Sacramento; John Lane, Lanes Air Conditioning, Monrovia; Don Langston, Aire-Rite, Huntington Beach; Tim Locke, Quality Assured Comfort, Fair Oaks; George Rodriguez, Servtec Air, Santa Fe Springs; and, Mitch Slavensky, American Chiller Services, Sacramento.

“This step forward will bring new training and business opportunities to California contractors, including easier access to NATE certification programs,” said Hussey. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in California to build one strong, unified, nationwide ACCA that helps contractors grow their businesses, attract new customers, and control their costs.”

California contractors interested in joining the California ACCA state chapter should contact ACCA’s national headquarters in Arlington, VA, at 703-575-4477.

Publication date: 04/15/2002