Arlington, Va. — The Clifford H. "Ted" Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), today announced scholarship awards totaling $83,000 to 44 students, including five military veterans, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

"Each year, the Foundation provides aid to these aspiring technicians, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced," said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. "We are pleased to award scholarships to these qualified and dedicated students, and we look forward to welcoming them into the industry."

“Workforce development is a major priority for ACCA, and we’re pleased to work with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to help recruit financial support for deserving individuals,” said Barton James, ACCA President and CEO. “It is our responsibility as an industry to continue to support and encourage careers in the skilled trades, and it starts with training and education.”

HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program Recipients:

Alejandro Alvarez, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX

Samuel Alvarez, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK

Ryan Bentley, Northeast Technical Institute, Scarborough, ME

Steven Bryant, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK

Simplice Raoul Buguieu Kom, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Kalum Cook, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, AL

Nicholas Cox, Easter Maine Community College, Bangor, ME

Stacy Curry, Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH

Angel Delatorre, Institute of Technology, Modesto, CAv

Gabriel Denison, Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain, New Britain, CT

Eric Harris, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK

Jonah Hartman, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Wesley Henry, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO

Mark Holley, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Jeffrey Holtzclaw, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX

Russell Hunt, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Robert Hunt, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX

Denard Jones, Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Tiffany Jusino, Elgin Community College, Elgin, OH

Juan Lara, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Aneil Panjwani, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Angel Resto, Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY

Logan Sands, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Charles Santos, Renton Technical College, Renton, WA

Payton Silas, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Bryan Soto, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Alexander Spicer, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK

Larry Starks, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Warren Stubbs, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Lee Taylor, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Nicholas Telemchuk, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK

Greg Tubbs, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Ricardo Vega, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Paul Walton, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Cardea Wells, Northeast Technical Institute, Scarborough, ME

Ahmadjamal Williams, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

SkillsUSA Program Recipients:

Tyler Agee, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA

Jadin Dasher, Vernon Malone College and Career Academy, Raleigh, NC

Josh Donaghy, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT

Seth Hellings, Charles Bohlen Technical Center, Watertown, NY

Thomas, Jones, Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD

Elijah Smart, Texas State Technical College, Waco, TX

Austin Watkins, Tennessee College of Applied Technology McKenzie, McKenzie, TN

One anonymous student

About the Rees Scholarship Foundation

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation was established to assist with the recruitment and competency of future HVACR and water heating technicians by awarding scholarships to qualified students enrolled in an institutionally accredited school. Eligible students must be preparing for a career in either residential or light commercial air conditioning, heating, or water heating, or commercial refrigeration.

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 300+ 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 ACCA

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, is the nation’s premier trade association for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors. ACCA’s member companies provide quality service in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, building and home performance, solar, hydronics, and plumbing. ACCA has created the nationally-recognized and industry-endorsed standards needed to ensure HVACR systems are properly installed and maintained. Learn more at www.acca.org.