ANNANDALE, Minn. — Malco Products, a manufacturer of tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, has announced the winners of its annual HVAC Trade Pro of the Year Award program.

The 2023 HVAC Trade Pro of the Year Award honors exceptional HVAC professionals who are dedicated to the industry, on-the-job safety, and their communities. The 2023 program recognized five top HVAC contractors and technicians from across the U.S., a press release from Malco said. The winners are:

• Bob Kler, instructor, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California.

• Jared Alexander, lead HVAC installer, DeZiel Heating & Air, Buffalo, Minnesota.

• Jennifer Manzo, owner, Valeriani Air Conditioning, Naples, Maine.

• Lee Fores, owner, Air-Tek Heating & Cooling, Uvalde, Texas.

• Ricky Meyers, owner and operator, Meyers Heating and Air LLC, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“Malco is proud and inspired by the 2023 HVAC Trade Pro of the Year winners for their commitment to their trade and communities,” said Malco president and CEO Rich Benninghoff. “These HVAC professionals go above and beyond to share their talents with the industry and support important causes.”  

Each of the winners will receive a Malco toolkit valued at $1,000, awarded by their local distributor. Nominations for Malco’s 2024 HVAC Trade Pro of the Year program will open in January.

As a supporter and advocate of careers in the trades, Malco donates significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to a variety of skilled-trades education programs, competitions, and events across the country, including high schools, post-secondary technical and apprenticeship programs, regional apprenticeship contests, and SkillsUSA state and national conferences, the company’s press release said. Malco also coordinates the “Head of the Class” student recognition program that partners with education programs across the country to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in HVAC, sheet metal, and building construction training programs.