• National Comfort Institute Hosts 7th Annual Summit Meeting

    May 26, 2010
    Tom Spall awarded David Debien Technical Excellence Award

    More than 150 contractor members of the National Comfort Institute (NCI) descended on Jacksonville, FL in April for that group’s 7th Annual Summit meeting.

    This year’s theme, “Implementation: Your Bridge to High Performance and Profitability,” centered on helping contractors implement what they learn to create positive changes in their businesses. The meeting focused on many of the changes the HVAC industry has undergone in the legislative, financial, and technology areas, and presented business management and technical performance solutions to these issues.

    One key highlight was the introduction of the latest NCI offering, dubbed “CommonCents™” — a online field diagnostic software program that provides tools that members claim will change the future of field testing and measurement.

    Nineteen instructors presented topics ranging from using HVAC System Profiling for Effective Diagnostics to Maximizing Energy Incentives Around the U.S. in 60 Minutes. For five days contractors attended classes, networked, and spoke with representatives of the event’s five sponsoring organizations — TSI, Goodman Manufacturing, Field Controls, ServiceNet, and To Your Success — about their products and services.

    Recognitions Abound
    NCI CEO Dominick Guarino and President Rob Falke presided over a recognition program that spotlighted member contracting firms for training excellence, outstanding achievement in testing, quality service, implementation of NCI best practices, as well as implementation of efficiency standards in their companies.

    The winners included:
    • 2010 Technical Excellence Contractor of the Year (small business category) Jim Brown of The Jim Brown Co. in Mountain Home, AR.
    • 2010 Technical Excellence Contractor of the Year (large business category) Jim Glennon of Modern Service in Fort Meyers, FL.
    • 2010 Business Leadership Contractor of the Year (small business category) Scott Shubert of Miller Heating & Cooling in Waterloo, IL.
    • 2010 Business Leadership Contractor of the Year (large business category) Michael Davis of Davis Services in Spartanburg, SC.

    The highlight of the recognition banquet was the presentation of the award named in honor of the late David Debien for his pioneering work in HVAC system design and installation. This year’s David Debien Technical Excellence Award was presented to Tom Spall, T.E Spall & Son, Carbondale, PA.

    A new award — the NCI National Training Excellence Award —was presented to Hal Smith, Halco Heating, Phelps, NY.

    The NCI Partner of the Year award was presented to Goodman Manufacturing, for contributions and ongoing efforts in training and education for NCI members and contractors through the Goodman A-Plus Dealer Program.

    The NCI Chairman’s Award was presented to Daniel Squires, Vincent’s Heating & Plumbing, Port Huron, MI. Squires was honored with this award due to his staunch support of NCI’s mission, company wide implementation of performance-based contracting, and a contributor of industry knowledge.

    For additional information,visit www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com.