Voelkner, an employee since 1968 who retired in February, worked as an applied service technician and was responsible for maintaining centrifugal and absorption chillers and providing solutions that address chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) chiller-related issues, among other things.

Air Comfort's executive vice president Jim Bartolotta said, "We are fortunate to have had Fred on our team for the past 37 years. Whether it was responding to our customers or interacting with co-workers, Fred always did so with the utmost professionalism and care. A gentlemen, role model, and overall great person in everything he did. We can all learn from the manner in which he conducted himself, no matter what the challenges around him were."

Air Comfort began its Quality Improvement Process award program in 1993 to recognize employees whose outstanding efforts have contributed to the company's success.

Founded in 1935, Air Comfort, based in Broadview, Ill., began as an engineering company and equipment distributor for Dr. Willis H. Carrier's air conditioning products. The company now employs more than 100 people as a full-service HVAC contractor specializing in the design and installation of new equipment, retrofits of existing systems, comprehensive maintenance programs, and emergency service. For more information, visit www.aircomfort.com.

Publication date: 03/21/2005