ACCA has announced the installation of its 2017-18 board of directors and officers.

The board was installed at the IE3 Show, which took place in Nashville, Tennessee, March 20-22. The new officers officially took their positions at the Big Bang Party on Wednesday, March 22.

Last year's chairman, Steve Lauten of Total Air & Heat Co. in Plano, Texas, handed the leadership role over to incoming chairman, Don Langston of Aire Rite Airconditioning & Refrigeration in Huntington Beach, California. Langston will serve a one-year term.

As Lauten handed over the reins to Langston, he thanked his wife, Janice, his children, his company, the ACCA staff, and the ACCA membership for all their support during his tenure as chairman. He summed up his successful year as chairman by saying, "It's been a busy and amazing year. And ACCA could not have accomplished any of it without our wonderful members. You are what makes this association so strong."

As Langston took the stage, he shared a video that showcased his company and his team. The theme of his speech was growing the workforce and taking advantage of the recruiting opportunities available.

"As Steve pointed out, we have accomplished a lot in the past year, but there is still a lot of work left to do this year," said Langston. "I am poised to take on the challenges that we face. One of the biggest challenges is a dwindling workforce and the need to recruit the millennial generation. As chairman of ACCA, I want to help millennials understand what our industry is about, how they can have good paying jobs that will always be in demand, and how they can do it without having to go to a four-year college and take on needless student debt. It is also a win-win for us as contractors because without new talent coming into our businesses, our ability to grow now and in the future is limited."

He wrapped up his presentation by reminding contractors that they must take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them to grow our industry.

"As I start my year as chairman, I want to encourage you to get involved," said Langston. "We need all of you to be a part of these changes because together we can change the tide. Thank you all for this opportunity, and I look forward to serving you this year. "

Serving alongside Langston on the executive committee are directors and officers: Steve Schmidt, Frederick Air, Frederick, Maryland, senior vice chairman; Eric Knaak, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, Rochester, New York, secretary/treasurer; Lanny Huffman, Hickory Sheet Metal Co. Inc., Hickory, North Carolina, vice chairman; Wade Mayfield, Thermal Services, Omaha, Nebraska, vice chairman; Dan Weis, Weis Comfort Systems Inc., Fenton, Missouri, vice chairman; and Lauten will serve this year as immediate past chairman.

Directors on the board, not serving on the executive committee are: Dave Boelcke, Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning, Stevensville, Michigan; Linda Couch, Parrish Services Inc., Manassas, Virginia; Dan Foley, Foley Mechanical Inc., Lorton, Virginia; Louis Fuentes, Air Conditioning Guys Inc., El Centro, California; Ken Goodrich, Goettle Air Conditioning, Tempe, Arizona;  Rob Minnick, Minnick's Inc., Laurel, Maryland; Steve Pape, Pape Service Co., Desoto, Texas; Keith Paton, Ivey Mechanical LLC, Kosciusko, Mississippi; and Brian Stack, Stack Heating & Cooling, Avon, Ohio.

ACCA also thanked those members who have completed their service on the board of directors this year: Phil London, Thermal Concepts, Davie, Florida; Jerry Bosworth, Bosworth Air Conditioning, Galveston, Texas; and Rhett Prosser, Waccamaw Heating & Cooling, Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

This board will serve until the 2018 IE3 Show, scheduled for February 12-14, 2018, at the Gaylord National in Washington, District of Columbia.

For more information, visit www.acca.org.