Moves designed to ensure NATE’s growth and progress

January 16, 2012
Contact: Francis Dietz, Vice President, Public Affairs
Direct: 703.600.0355

Arlington, Va. — Since its founding in 1997, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has steadily improved its reputation and performance. It now stands as the premier technician certification organization in the United States, and is poised to begin to expand into Mexico and Central America in the coming years.

Founded and funded by the HVACR manufacturers, NATE was designed to improve installation and maintenance of equipment so as to reduce warranty claims and increase customer satisfaction. While NATE has made great progress in fulfilling those missions, the NATE Executive Committee believes, and the Air-Conditioning Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Executive Committee agrees, that the current staff structure of the organization is not optimal to ensure growth and progress going forward.

Accordingly, the NATE Executive Committee and the AHRI Executive Committee have jointly agreed on the following changes designed to breathe new life into a very important entity and to ensure its future success:

1. NATE’s President, Peter Schwartz, will focus on strengthening NATE’s relations with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
2. Patrick Murphy resigned as Vice President, Certifications and his position will be reconfigured to meet the technical and certification administration needs of NATE to ensure continued quality and excellence in NATE’s certification services. We appreciate the dedication and commitment that Pat has provided since the formation of NATE. In the interim, Warren Lupson, AHRI’s Director of Education, will serve on a temporary basis as Director of Certification for NATE.
3. NATE Chairman Don Frendberg will be directly involved in the promotion and leadership of NATE.
4. AHRI will increase its administration and operational support of NATE by providing financial, human resource, legal, government affairs, and marketing/communications support.

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About AHRI
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 309 member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.

About NATE
Headquartered in Arlington, Va., NATE was founded in 1997 as the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. NATE tests technicians while others train. Testing validates the technician’s knowledge and a training program’s instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests. Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in nine specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronic gas, hydronic oil, and commercial, light commercial refrigeration and senior efficiency analyst. NATE also offers the International Ground Source Heat Pump test. For more information about NATE, visit www.natex.org.