The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) announced that Speer Mechanical of Columbus, Ohio, has been designated a MSCA STAR contractor after surpassing stringent business and HVAC service standards set forth by the association.

Two more contractor members of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) have been awarded MSCA GreenStar designation, Hurst Mechanical of Belmont, Mich., and T.H. Eifert Mechanical Contractors of Lansing, Mich., joining W.E. Bowers, Beltsville, Md., which was named the first GreenStar on July 31.

Bergstrom-Elder Consulting Group is holding a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification exam session on Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, in Livonia, Mich. The session is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

The Duct Cleaners Network (DCN) hosted its fifth annual conference Aug. 1-3, 2008, at the Holiday Inn at the Pyramids in Indianapolis. The conference focused on business networking between high quality service and equipment providers coupled with peer-to-peer hands-on training.

In an effort to protect and enhance independent HVACR contractors in Illinois, the new HVACR Illinois State Association (HISA) has been formed. One of HISA’s primary focuses is to form an effective lobbying presence in Illinois’ legislative matters that affect HVACR contractors and their businesses.

A member of UA Local 189 and Mechanical Contractors Association of Central Ohio and Johnson Controls recently provided the Holy Family Community Soup Kitchen & Pantry with the supply and installation of air cooled condensing/compressor units to replace those stolen from the facility.

It may seem ironic that a green building event would generate waste, but Chicago’s Greenbuild 2007 did. However, Dan Bulley had the waste sorted so it could be recycled or composted. For his efforts, the Illinois Recycling Association named him the winner of its Outstanding Large Event Recycling Award.

Two One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning contractors from the Midwest - McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Omaha, Neb., and Bauer & Son One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Medina, Ohio - recently won regional awards as being the best HVAC contractors in their respective communities.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago (MCA Chicago) named John Stern of Dahme Mechanical Industries Inc. as the new president at the association’s annual meeting, June 13 at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.

In the midst of a national shortage of skilled building technicians, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has been selected by Johnson Controls Inc. to participate in a collaborative program dedicated to attracting and recruiting the next generation of HVACR technicians.