The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has named John Lanier as its chief operating officer. Lanier is COO of North American Technician Excellence (NATE), and will perform the same role for AHRI, overseeing Public Affairs, Technical Services, Regulatory & International Policy, and Information Technology, while continuing to lead NATE.

"John Lanier's expanded role at AHRI will help us meet the many challenges that come with the growth and success we have seen and expect to experience in the coming years," said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. "I'm excited that he has agreed to take on this challenge, and I look forward to having him apply his many skills and his focus to some of our most important programs."

In his expanded role, Lanier will manage AHRI's certification programs, as well as standards, software development, regulatory and international policy, communications, and information technology. Lanier, who was named COO of NATE in 2013, oversees the management and execution of all of NATE's programs. He has held a variety of executive leadership roles, most notably as senior vice president of operations at the National Federation of Independent Business.   

Lanier will report to Yurek who will continue his role as president and chief executive officer of AHRI.