New Officers, Contest Winners Announced at RPA Expo

June 1, 2002
The Radiant Heating Conference and Expo, held May 8-11 in Cincinnati, attracted 1,067 registrants and 106 exhibitors. The education-oriented event, sponsored

The Radiant Heating Conference and Expo, held May 8-11 in Cincinnati, attracted 1,067 registrants and 106 exhibitors. The education-oriented event, sponsored by the Radiant Panel Association (RPA), attracted almost 500 trade professionals to 26 seminars. In addition, 334 people attended Industry Opportunity Day, which consisted of exhibitor-sponsored workshops, product demonstrations, and information sessions. That same day, 70 people participated in the Radiant Basics course taught by contractor Ken Barney, vice president and general manager of Thornton Plumbing & Heating in Midvale, UT. Another 112 people took the Radiant Precision course conducted by engineer John Siegenthaler of Appropriate Designs. Thirty six trade professionals took the first RPA Certification Exam. At the meeting, RPA board members elected a slate of new officers. Contractor Michael Ackmann of New Century Comfort Systems in Burlington, IL, was elected president, with his term beginning July 1. He had been secretary of the board. Ackmann was one of the first contractors to join the RPA in 1994 when the organization was formed and has been an active member since then. He replaces Ted Lowe, who has served as president of the RPA for two years. Lowe, regional marketing manager for the Kitec Division of IPEX, leaves the RPA board in June after a four-year term. John Barba, Uponor/Wirsbo’s training manager, was elected RPA vice president. He takes the place of Vice President Greg Jannone of contractor William Jannone & Sons in Bound Brook, NJ. He is also ending his term on the RPA board. Filling the secretary position vacated by Ackmann is Ada Cryer of Delta-Therm, an electric radiant manufacturer. Rounding out the new slate of officers is Joe Waskiewicz of JV Mechanical in Webster, MA, who is assuming the office of treasurer. A highlight of the show was the announcement of winners in an annual contest that features some of the best radiant projects in the country. This year’s winners are: • Residential hydronic project of less than 3,000 sq.ft.: Wallace Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for the Ammon residence in Golden, CO • Residential hydronic project of greater than 3,000 sq.ft.: Advanced Radiant Design for the Conklin residence in New Windsor, NY • Residential hydronic retrofit: Lorton Plumbing for the Mountain Star residence in Avon, CO • “Most for least” Category: Arndt & Son Plumbing for the Gefke residence in Oregon, WI • Hydronic commercial and judge’s choice award: Advanced Radiant Design for the Catskill Wellness Center in the Catskill Mountains, NY • Innovative Category: Advanced Radiant Design for the Conifer House in the Catskill Mountains, NY • Electric commercial: Delta-Therm for the U.S. Post Office in Chicago, IL • Electric residential: SSHC Inc. for the Youngsman residence in Oak Harbor, WA • Best of show award: F.W. Behler Inc. won for the Keller hydronic retrofit project in Dover, PA.