Great Expectations
John Sedine, president of Engineered Heating & Cooling, has been named the incoming 2010 chairman of the board of directors for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Sedine, a successful Michigan-based contractor, has long been a prominent figure within the HVAC industry, including professional affiliations and leadership positions, including former president and vice president of education, Michigan Chapter of ACCA and serving on ACCA’s national board.
“Having worked on numerous technical committees, I have worked with some of the best technical people in the industry. Now, I will have the opportunity to work with those that determine and chart the direction that their products or governmental mandates will take the HVAC community.”
In terms of what he hopes to accomplish as chairman, and in regard to his priorities regarding the position as incoming chairman, Sedine said his first priority is continuing with the action plans that have been set by the ACCA board of directors’ Strategic Plan, which are currently under annual review. His second priority is to continue moving forward the initiatives that Stan Johnson, the current ACCA chairman, has put into place, he said.
Last, but certainly not least, Sedine said that his third priority is to “move ACCA toward the new technical direction that the zero energy, green building, and federal energy mandates are taking us.”
The ACCA board of directors went through the strategic planning process about three years ago and have since been following priorities that were set, Sedine said. The executive committee, which he now chairs, is currently revisiting the plan to determine any changes that need to be made.
Additionally, in light of energy mandates and goals set by the new political administration, Sedine said that the Alternative Energy and Emerging Technologies committee was formed and charged with reviewing those types of items that would impact contractors. It has completed its work and has some pretty interesting recommendations to the board, he said.
“The biggest challenge is, of course, the economy,” Sedine said. “While some areas are harder hit than others, everyone will eventually feel the pain.”
“Next would be new laws and mandates that impact all of us in some manner,” Sedine said, “and more specifically, small business owners, which is the largest segment of ACCA membership.” “Taxes, health care reform, and energy mandates are just a few” of said challenges.
Lastly, Sedine said, would be the direction that the energy mandates are taking the HVAC industry. “Historically, ACCA has been mostly focused on the forced air heating and cooling of buildings. The direction seems to be moving more toward the use of hydronics, whether it be geothermal or solar. Hawaii now requires any new residences to have some type of solar domestic hot water component.”
The other part that needs immediate attention is the green building movement, at large.
According to Sedine, contractors will have to embrace green building, LEED, ACCA’s Quality Installation and Quality Maintenance Standards, as well as whole building performance issues. “The zero-energy movement could be the major, all-encompassing program to totally change [the way] we use energy.”
“Due to the emphasis that the current administration has put on energy conservation and alternative energy options, new programs and education will have to be implemented quickly,” Sedine said. “Contractors will have to get up to speed very quickly in order to be competitive.
“I am probably harder on myself than anyone else,” Sedine said. “I have high expectations, and the challenging part will be to get done in a year what I feel should be accomplished in a year.”
Publication date: 03/01/2010
MAKING A DIRECT IMPACT
“I understood that ACCA was heading in a new direction and I thought that I was the right guy for the job,” Sedine said. Excited about his increased role and responsibilities with ACCA, when asked what he is looking forward to most about being chairman of the board, Sedine said: “I am looking forward to the opportunity of working directly with the shakers and movers of the HVAC industry.“Having worked on numerous technical committees, I have worked with some of the best technical people in the industry. Now, I will have the opportunity to work with those that determine and chart the direction that their products or governmental mandates will take the HVAC community.”
John Sedine, 2010 ACCA Chairman
Last, but certainly not least, Sedine said that his third priority is to “move ACCA toward the new technical direction that the zero energy, green building, and federal energy mandates are taking us.”
The ACCA board of directors went through the strategic planning process about three years ago and have since been following priorities that were set, Sedine said. The executive committee, which he now chairs, is currently revisiting the plan to determine any changes that need to be made.
Additionally, in light of energy mandates and goals set by the new political administration, Sedine said that the Alternative Energy and Emerging Technologies committee was formed and charged with reviewing those types of items that would impact contractors. It has completed its work and has some pretty interesting recommendations to the board, he said.
CHALLENGES AND GOALS
With new energy laws and mandates arise new challenges and issues that Sedine and ACCA will need to address head-on in order to best serve the association’s membership throughout 2010-11.“The biggest challenge is, of course, the economy,” Sedine said. “While some areas are harder hit than others, everyone will eventually feel the pain.”
“Next would be new laws and mandates that impact all of us in some manner,” Sedine said, “and more specifically, small business owners, which is the largest segment of ACCA membership.” “Taxes, health care reform, and energy mandates are just a few” of said challenges.
Lastly, Sedine said, would be the direction that the energy mandates are taking the HVAC industry. “Historically, ACCA has been mostly focused on the forced air heating and cooling of buildings. The direction seems to be moving more toward the use of hydronics, whether it be geothermal or solar. Hawaii now requires any new residences to have some type of solar domestic hot water component.”
The other part that needs immediate attention is the green building movement, at large.
According to Sedine, contractors will have to embrace green building, LEED, ACCA’s Quality Installation and Quality Maintenance Standards, as well as whole building performance issues. “The zero-energy movement could be the major, all-encompassing program to totally change [the way] we use energy.”
“Due to the emphasis that the current administration has put on energy conservation and alternative energy options, new programs and education will have to be implemented quickly,” Sedine said. “Contractors will have to get up to speed very quickly in order to be competitive.
“I am probably harder on myself than anyone else,” Sedine said. “I have high expectations, and the challenging part will be to get done in a year what I feel should be accomplished in a year.”
Publication date: 03/01/2010
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