Mike Murphy, editor-in-chief of The News, gets right down to work in his first week on the job.

Murphy began his HVAC career in 1986 with Lennox Industries in Dallas, where he held positions of increasing responsibility.

These included editor/instructor, sales training consultant, territory manager, marketing specialist for product development, and strategic marketing analyst. He also worked for WaterFurnace International as its director of marketing and director of sales. For the past six years, he has been editor-in-chief of Contracting Business magazine and a key organizer of the HVAC Comfortech conference and trade show.

"We are excited to have Mike Murphy join our staff as editor-in-chief," said Conrad. "His 18 years of HVAC industry experience and six years at the helm of another trade magazine make him particularly qualified to direct our editorial efforts and lead The News in the years to come."

Former editor-in-chief Mark Skaer has relocated to the St. Louis area, where he will continue to work as a significant member of The News editorial team as the publication's senior editor.

"It's an honor to be named editor-in-chief of such a well-recognized and prestigious publication as The News," Murphy said. "With the additional responsibility for conference management, I look forward to being a part of a team that, for more than 75 years, has been recognized for its leadership and excellence in our industry."

Murphy may be contacted at 248-244-6446; 248-244-2905 (fax); mikemurphy@achrnews.com.

Publication date: 12/13/2004