WASHINGTON — In an effort to increase support for HVACR and water heating industry scholarships, Steve and Charlotte Howard announced they have offered to match dollar for dollar up to $100,000, contributions of $1,000 or more to the Rees Scholarship Foundation, a partnership of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and ACCA.

The Howards, co-owners of The ACT Group Inc., a Phoenix-based HVAC training and consulting company, explained their generous gift by noting that the industry has provided much to them, and they wish to pay it forward.

“Our goal is to create awareness of the service technician shortage and to provide an incentive for contractors and distributors, as well as additional manufacturers, to help solve our most pressing problem,” the couple explained.

The Howards’ gift helps companies leverage their donations, effectively doubling the number of Rees scholarships and their impact on the industry’s future.

AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek expressed his appreciation for the Howards’ generosity

“Generous gifts such as this help to spur interest in the Rees Scholarship program and renew excitement among manufacturers to help the next generation of technicians join our industry,” he said. “We hope that the nature of the gift-matching challenge will encourage donors who can now have their gifts doubled.”

“ACCA is grateful for the Howard family’s generous support of the Rees Scholarship Foundation,” said Paul Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “The foundation has provided financial support for nearly 500 talented men and women studying for rewarding careers in the HVAC industry. The generosity of the Howard family will allow the Foundation to further spread the legacy of Mr. Rees, whose mission was to promote competency and professionalism in the HVACR industry.”

Publication date: 6/18/2018

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