Richard Dean was elected chairman of the board of directors for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) at the 2006 Annual Conference and Indoor Air Expo in San Jose March 28-30. ACCA is the nationwide trade association representing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contracting businesses.
Dean, a principal at Environmental Systems Associates, Columbia, MD, says he joined ACCA because he wanted to learn more about the industry and running a business. “You can be the best technician in the world,” says Dean, “but if you’re not a good businessperson, you won’t survive, and if you don’t survive you can’t serve your customers.”
Dean adds that ACCA training and his MIX Group® have shown him different business models and marketing strategies, such as flat-rate pricing and service agreements, that are the cornerstones of his success today.
“Through ACCA we can influence what happens to us, rather than just let it happen to us,” says Dean. “I’m excited about taking the chairman’s reins because we’re on an upswing. We have more confidence in our ability to influence events and policies. I want to help capitalize on what we’ve gained. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the industry. “The board is a collaborative, cooperative body,” says Dean. “We all want to serve members better. But, frankly, serving on the board is one the best investments of my time. I learn so much from working with some of the best people in the industry.”
Dean and his wife, Carol, have five children. Two of them are developmentally disabled, and this has led to many opportunities for community service on behalf of children like his. He is a Past President of the Board of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Howard County and currently serves as Treasurer of the Board for the Benedictine School for Exceptional Children, a school for developmentally disabled youngsters.
Dean is a past president of the ACCA National Capital Chapter and remains an active member of the chapter.
ACCA members also elected a new Executive Committee:
Phil Forner, Senior Vice Chair. Forner is with Allendale Heating Company Inc., Allendale, MI. He is a Past President of the ACCA Michigan Chapter.
Stan Johnson, Treasurer. Johnson has been with Stans Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in Austin, TX. since 1972. He was a founding member of the ACCA Austin and ACCA Texas chapters, serving as president of both.
Ray Isaac, Secretary. Isaac’s grandfather started Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Rochester, NY 60 years ago. Ray Isaac started working at Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning when he was 14, and he credits ACCA for much of the company’s success.
Chris Colditz, Vice Chair. Colditz and her husband, Gordon, founded Laco Mechanical, Elk Grove Village, IL 25 years ago. Colditz was elected to the board in 2004. She is currently Chair of the Government Relations Committee and the new Program Advisory Committee. She also serves on the Membership Committee.
Larry Cook, Vice Chair. President of TD Industries, Dallas, TX, Cook has been an ACCA Board member since 2003. He also serves as Chairman of the Air Conditioning Advisory Council for Texas State Technical College. Cook has been Chairman of the ACCA North Texas Chapter and active in the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas.
Richard Foard, Vice Chair. Foard owns Blue Dot Services of Maryland in Forest Hill. His experience with ACCA includes past presidency of the ACCA Baltimore Chapter and previous service as an ACCA National Board member.
Greg Leisgang, Immediate Past Chair. Leisgang, owner of JonLe Heating and Cooling, Cincinnati, OH, was ACCA’s 2005 Chairman of the Board. His company was honored as the ACCA Quality Contractor of the Year in 1993 and the Carrier Distinguished Dealer in 1996.
Skip Snyder, Chair, Advisory Council. M.A. Snyder Company, Upper Darby, PA, specializes in hydronics and combustion. A Temple University graduate, Snyder served as an ROTC Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, and later returned to work full time for M.A. Snyder Co., which was founded by his father.