Has anyone else had a shock after looking at a calendar recently? Yes, it is actually 2011. And yes, we are already halfway through January. That means that we’re only two weeks away from AHR Expo, and I’m starting to get excited.

This summer Brian Bovio got an invitation he couldn’t turn down - a chance to meet the president of the United States and talk business with him over lunch. Bovio is the operations manager of his third-generation family business, Bovio Advanced Comfort & Energy

For Thanksgiving last month, I decided to forego the usual turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie for sushi and other Japanese delicacies. Instead of sitting at home with the family, I spent the holiday visiting friends who are living in Nagoya for a year.

In 2010, as the country continued to weather the fallout from the recession, leaders in HVAC were hard at work to support and sustain the industry. This year’s top newsmakers have tirelessly promoted HVAC from their respective positions. And their efforts have paid off in increased recognition of the industry. These efforts are certainly worthy of this year-end spotlight.

John Sedine, president of Engineered Heating and Cooling (Walker, Mich.) and chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), exemplifies how to persist and persevere. One of the most exciting efforts Sedine has presided over is the development of the Quality Assured (QA) Contractor Recognition program.

In mid-October, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released its fourth annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, a report that ranks each state’s efforts in energy efficiency. According to the 2010 scorecard, California remained on top for the fourth year in a row, while states in the Southwest made the most improvement.

Like everything else these days, programmable thermostats are becoming more high-tech, and there are more and more varieties and models available. Yet one of the most common problems facing the industry is that people aren’t using the advanced features of the newer programmable thermostats.

Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling may seem small, but its 34 employees have a razor-sharp focus on their customers. Since its founding in 1976 in Lansdale, Pa., the contractor has continued to expand its services, most recently with a bold venture into the geothermal market.

Everyone’s heard the old saying that nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. But now the big uncertainty is what kind of taxes you could end up paying after you die. That’s because the estate tax was repealed for 2010 but is slated to come back in a big way in 2011.

If you’ve been living under a rock to avoid the hopeful candidates who were flooding your mailbox and answering machine with political ads, it’s now safe to come out. Take a deep breath and let it out - the midterm elections are over.