ST. PETERS, Mo. - Women in HVACR recently elected its 2008 board of directors. Karen Riffice of Soderlund Brothers Inc., Oaklawn, Ill., was appointed president.

“I see this presidency as the perfect opportunity to give back to the field that has given me so much,” she said. “One of my goals as president is for the group to increase its outreach into schools, raising awareness about careers in the HVACR industry.”

Riffice said she also wants the organization to continue facilitating member networking, whether in person or over the phone. “If you have a question or concern about your business or career, chances are there are members who can help,” she said.

According to the association, the Women in HVACR board will concentrate on mentoring and outreach programs, as well as working on the development of regional chapters.

The rest of the 2008 officers are Barbara Keil, Keil Heating & Air Conditioning, Riverdale, N.J., vice president; Kimberly O’Neal, Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International, Columbus, Ohio, secretary; Kathy McCauley, McCauley Mechanical Construction Inc., Bridgeview, Ill., treasurer; and Gwen Hostnik, Contracting Business & HVAC Comfortech, Cleveland, past president.

Board members for 2008 are Adrienne Breedlove, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Rockville, Md.; Nita Brooks, International Service Leadership Inc., Nashville, Tenn.; Ruth Ann Davis, Williams Furnace, Frisco, Texas; Valerie Stakes, Multilingual Training Solutions, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; and Tammy Smith, Halco Plumbing & Heating, Phelps, N.Y.

For more information, visit www.womeninhvacr.com.

Publication date: 02/18/2008