The individuals chosen represent every aspect of the industry, including the manufacturing, distribution, instructional, and contracting sectors. There are those who grew up in the industry and those who entered it in the most interesting of circumstances.

It is no secret the HVACR industry is an older crowd. However, young talent needs to be coming through the ranks in order to secure a positive future. The NEWS wanted to highlight the industry's young talent with a list of the top 40 HVAC professionals under 40 years of age.

Look around at your employees. Is there someone being underutilized? Is there someone not getting a promotion because perhaps some feel he or she has yet to pay the necessary dues? Are you worried about how the older generation will deal with such a young boss? Take a second look and see if anyone in this younger generation would be a match for a position up the corporate ladder.

The deadline to submit entries is May 31. Winners will be announced in the Aug. 29 issue of The NEWS.

The Top 40 Under 40 contest is open to those working in all aspects of the industry; the nominee just has to excel in the workplace and have a fuzzy memory of cassette tapes.

The NEWS wanted to highlight these individuals with a list of 40 HVAC professionals under 40 years of age who are accomplishing great things in their respective positions. The members of this list all work hard, think about the big picture, and have the ability to challenge the way things have always been done.

It’s the industry’s job to get the word out and harness the young talent that arrives. So check out the inaugural Top 40 Under 40 list. And, look around your office. Do you have any young folks who deserve some recognition? If so, there’s always next year.