With her days as the chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) coming to a close, Laura DiFilippo took time to speak with The NEWS about her tenure as chairman and what the future holds.

Q: How would you describe your run as ACCA chairman and what did you learn during that time?

A: That’s a great question. I always want to learn something. I think that’s important. It was a very challenging year. I was very inspired through all the things I got to do and all the people I got to meet. It really was an amazing experience. I got the opportunity to travel, to represent ACCA, to continue our relationships with fellow organizations and industry partners, but most importantly, I got to go out and meet our members. I think that was probably one of the best things I go to do, to go out to the grassroots and meet our members.

Q: What do you feel you were able to accomplish?

A: Well, first of all, as chairman we don’t accomplish anything by ourselves. I believe it takes a team. But, as an association, one of our big challenges is we had seven brand new board members, which is the most we’ve ever had, and I think we really accomplished getting acclimated to the association, acclimated to the governance of the association, and getting them working as soon as the conference was over. Many of them have had many great successes this year with their committee work and their work on behalf of the association.

Q: What role are you going to take with ACCA going forward?

A: ACCA doesn’t let the past chairman get too far away, so I will go back to committee and continue one more year on the national board, it will be my 10^th year, and I will continue to help guide the organization’s strategic plan and work alongside (incoming chairman) Bobby Ring. And, I will return to the trenches.

Q: When you look back at your time as chairman, what are you going to remember the most?

A: It has to be the amazing contacts I made and the amazing people I met. I think,  no matter what we do in our lives, it’s the people that touch us that is most important.

The 2013 ACCA Conference will take place Feb. 26-March 2 in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit www.accaconference.com.