The meeting included presentations by Johnson Controls, McQuay International, Optimum Energy, Midwest Parts, Condenser and Chiller Inc., Turbocor, Financial Risk Solutions, and Hanbell/Microtech Control Systems. Members Van Hoppler of MMS Metro Mechanical Services, Las Vegas, and Dominic DiDonna of Industrial Cooling Inc., Freeport, N.Y., made presentations on their companies’ successful projects retrofitting large tonnage chillers with non-OEM variable speed drives. Member Bryan Strode of Entech Sales & Service, Garland, Texas, introduced technician training classes scheduled specifically for Chiller System Group members in the upcoming months. Classes include teardowns for centrifugal, screw, and packaged machines for multiple manufacturers and control panel service for multiple manufacturers. Member Dave Gough of MacDonald-Miller, Seattle, demonstrated new Website capabilities that give members additional capabilities to share technical data and better serve their customers. The group also visited a successful Turbocor retrofit project performed by Mesa Energy Systems.
In addition to their regular meeting, the group held a special planning meeting to gather input to manage future growth. The group invited executives from some of the nation’s largest mechanical contractors to participate in this feedback session. Executives attending this session were Gus Simonds, president of MacDonald Miller, Mike Bordes, president of EMCOR Mobile Services, Harold McDowell, president of TDIndustries, Bill Adams, president of EMCOR The Fagan Company, and Steve Plane, president of Mallory & Evans. Mike Murphy ofThe NEWSand Paul Stalknecht of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) also gave input on how their organizations were addressing the needs of the HVAC market.
MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE
Pat Rucker, a founding member and president of Entech Sales & Service of Dallas, was presented a special achievement award for his outstanding leadership and support of the group. In Rucker’s honor, CSG announced that an ongoing special achievement award will carry his name and will be awarded to future members who make outstanding contributions.For entertainment, CSG held a golf tournament at the Tustin Ranch Golf Course and had dinner at Disneyland’s Grand Hotel. The group’s 2008 fall meeting will be held Sept. 25-27 at the new Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor, Washington, D.C., and will be hosted by John J. Kirlin LLC.
The Chiller Systems Group is a network of independent contractors throughout the United States dedicated to knowledge sharing and training to provide building owners the highest level of chiller service. The group works with chiller manufacturers to provide members technical training and information in a timely manner. Meetings are held semi-annually to exchange technical data, best practices, and stay current on manufacturer and supplier capabilities. In addition to the semi-annual meetings and training, members share technical information daily through an e-mail user group. The group is comprised of 48 independent contractors who specialize in chiller systems service, with its members performing service annually on over 15,000 chillers. For more information, visit www.chillergroup.com.
Publication date:05/12/2008
