HOUSTON — Comfort Systems USA Inc., a leading provider of commercial, industrial, and institutional HVAC services, announced that its board of directors has formally selected Brian E. Lane, the company’s president and chief operating officer, as the future successor to William F. Murdy as the company’s chief executive officer.

Lane joined the company in 2003 and has served as president and chief operating officer since March 2010 and as a director since November 2010. Prior to joining the company, Lane spent 15 years at Halliburton, a global provider of products and services to energy, industrial, and government customers, including employment by Brown and Root, an engineering and construction company. During his tenure, he held various positions in business development, strategy, and project activities, including the position of regional director of Europe and Africa. Additionally, he held the position of vice president at Kvaerner, an international engineering and construction company. The board anticipates that Lane will be elected to the position of chief executive officer upon Murdy’s retirement as CEO on Dec. 31, 2011.

Murdy, who will continue to serve the company as non-executive chairman of the board of directors in 2012, said, “This announcement is the culmination of several years of succession planning by the company’s board of directors. Brian has been actively involved in all the operations of the company for the last several years and is well respected and liked by our entire operations team. His knowledge and operations experience, along with his energetic enthusiasm, have been and will continue to be tremendous assets for the company. Comfort Systems has a bright future with Mr. Lane at the helm.”