According to ACCA, the awards program honors HVACR contractors with outstanding accomplishments and exceptional commitment to the industry. All ACCA members in good standing are eligible for nomination. The following categories are offered.

Excellence in Residential Contracting and Excellence in Commercial Contracting are each awarded to two contractors who have demonstrated significant and exemplary achievement in managing their residential or commercial HVACR business.

Excellence in Residential Contracting is presented in two sub-categories: companies with revenue of $1 million or less, and companies with revenue more than $1 million. Excellence in Commercial Contracting is presented in two sub-categories: companies with revenue of $4 million or less, and companies with revenue of more than $4 million.

Contractors in these categories must meet the following eligibility requirements: They must be properly licensed by the state, city, and/or local municipality in which they operate; have been a national member of ACCA for at least three years; be committed to quality, ethical standards, sound business practices, and improving the HVACR industry; be dedicated to skills training and professional development for all employees, particularly in NATE certification; educate consumers about efficiency, quality, and safety of products and services; advocate safety in the workplace; and be active in their local communities through donation of time, money, and/or services.

The Jeff Forker Award for Excellence in Training is presented to a contractor who has championed education and training initiatives, and who has made outstanding progress in raising the HVACR industry's professional standard by: Making a formal management commitment to the training process for all employees; implementing in-house management and technical training programs for technicians, or by employing 75 percent NATE-certified technicians; conducting an ongoing process of quality review and improvement for training/education; recognizing employees who are personally committed to continuing education or training; or developing new training methods.

The nomination form has been distributed to ACCA members and is also available online at www.acca.org. Nomination packages must be postmarked by Dec. 15, 2004. Winners will be announced and honored at the 2005 ACCA Conference & Indoor Air Expo, March 9-12 in Austin, Texas. For more information, contact Beth Queen at 703-824-8859 or beth.queen@acca.org.

Publication date: 11/08/2004