“I have always had a love for the outdoors. I would say, a real avid outdoor enthusiast,” McQuade began, recounting how his earliest adventures building tree forts as a boy shaped his sense of shelter and safety. “Though I must admit, my structures would not have passed code. They were from the ‘perilous’ movement in architecture, and I fell out of a few trees. At least my early structures were net-zero energy. Clearly, I was ahead of my time.”

Drawing on his experience as a scout leader and father, McQuade connected the fundamental need for shelter to the work of ASHRAE, saying, “Shelter is one of the most fundamental human needs, essential for survival, safety, and well-being ... It plays a vital role in providing emotional and psychological security, which fosters a sense of stability and comfort. A home, for example, is more than a physical structure – it becomes a place of personal identity, where people feel in control of their surroundings – a place that supports mental health and emotional stability.”

McQuade’s theme for the Society Year, “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life,” emerges from decades of progress and lessons learned in the industry. “There is no doubt we have had much success,” he said, referencing ASHRAE’s pivotal roles in improving energy efficiency during the 1970s oil embargo, transitioning away from ozone-depleting refrigerants in the 1980s, and responding swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic. “But have we done enough to truly fulfill the promise of a healthy built environment? Have we truly created shelter in every sense of the word?”

He acknowledged the unintended negative impacts on indoor environment quality that sometimes result from aggressive energy efficiency measures, such as sick building syndrome and ventilation missteps. “Sometimes ‘doing a good turn’ can have adverse effects or unintended consequences. However, engineering is about learning from our challenges, refining our approach, and finding a solution – and that is exactly what ASHRAE does well. Now that we have made significant progress in energy performance, it is time we turn our attention to IEQ with the same level of focus.”

McQuade outlined the many ways that air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, lighting, and water quality shape human health and productivity inside buildings. “Humans breathe approximately 15,000 liters of air per day. It is no surprise then that poor indoor air quality in buildings has far-reaching global health implications, affecting millions of people annually,” he said, citing World Health Organization data and drawing analogies to lessons learned in the outdoors and in scouting.

He also highlighted the 60th anniversary of ASHRAE Standard 55 on thermal environmental conditions, emphasizing that “when spaces comply with Standard 55, we reduce discomfort and create environments that enhance learning and productivity. A bonus byproduct...is preserving a comfortable environment while using the least amount of energy to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels.”

Lighting, acoustics, and water quality were given similar treatment: “Exposure to well-balanced light supports the body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep-wake cycles, mood, and overall well-being ... By creating Healthy Buildings that include a focus on great acoustic performance, your spaces will have occupants that experience 48% fewer errors in tasks that require concentration ... Clean source water has become a critical factor in Indoor environment quality.”

McQuade’s presidential plan includes three key initiatives:

• A comprehensive, multi-year roadmap for healthy buildings that identifies best practices, research gaps, and system design priorities.
• A suite of user-friendly educational tools and resources, including a web-based IEQ platform, downloadable checklists, informational videos, and technical presentations.
• Collaboration and knowledge-sharing events, including a pre-conference workshop at ASHRAE’s IEQ 2025 Conference and the ASHRAE Presidential Design Challenge, which will make IEQ the central focus of the year.

As McQuade wrapped up his address, he said a healthy building isn’t so different from building a shelter in the woods: it takes planning, respect for the environment, and a real understanding of what keeps people safe and well. He urged the industry to build on decades of energy efficiency and decarbonization wins – but not stop there. “We must now ensure that [our buildings] also foster well-being and enhance productivity,” he said, pointing out that the real challenge is to balance energy goals with what people actually need. The good news? “We have developed the knowledge and tools to create buildings that are energy efficient and carbon neutral... [and] healthy, comfortable, and safe.”

For McQuade, it all comes down to bringing these threads together and making sure the built environment truly serves the people inside it. “It is our time to do another ‘good turn,’” he said, borrowing the scout credo. “A time to prioritize the human experience within the built environment, ensuring that every space we create serves its most important purpose: to protect and nurture those who live and work within it.”

Jeff Littleton to Retire as Executive Vice President

Separately, ASHRAE announced that Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton will retire in early 2027. Littleton, who has served as chief staff officer since 2004, led the Society through a period of significant growth, technical expansion, and global influence – including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jeff’s leadership has played a central role in navigating ASHRAE through decades of industry evolution, while advancing our global mission to serve humanity,” said President McQuade. “His steady guidance and strategic vision has helped to ensure that ASHRAE remains a trusted resource and leader in the building services industry. We are grateful for his service and the strong foundation he leaves for the future.”

The ASHRAE Board of Directors has established a search committee for Littleton’s successor and will provide further updates as the transition process unfolds.