AHRI Announces Retirement of President and CEO Stephen Yurek

ARLINGTON, Virginia — Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) announced that President and CEO Stephen Yurek will retire in 2027, on a date to be determined.

Yurek joined the then-Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) in 2002 as the association’s General Counsel and Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs, before being promoted to President in 2006.

Yurek’s impact on AHRI and the global industry has been noteworthy and sustained. He oversaw the 2008 merger of ARI and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, which united all the aspects of the HVACR and water heating industry under one global organization whose members manufacture more than 75 percent of all residential and commercial central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, and commercial refrigeration equipment produced and installed worldwide.

During Yurek’s tenure, AHRI became a truly global association, establishing offices in Canada, India, China, and across the LATAM, ASEAN, and MENA regions, advocating for the industry and promoting and strengthening AHRI’s global standards and equipment certification programs around the world.

“Steve Yurek’s contributions to our association and our industry have been transformational and have established AHRI as the definitive voice for its members and the industry in all corners of the globe,” said AHRI’s 2026 Board Chairman Mike Branson of Rheem Manufacturing Company. “In addition to advancing AHRI’s mission of advocacy, analytics, standards, and certification, Steve’s foresight in establishing regional offices and promoting AHRI’s standards and certification programs around the world, while advocating for and protecting our industry’s interests in Washington and in the states, has greatly enhanced the stature and reach of our industry. He leaves a legacy of strength, commitment, and environmental stewardship that well positions our industry for the future,” he added.

The AHRI Board of Directors has enlisted the help of a search firm to identify suitable candidates to lead the association into the future. Additional details will be forthcoming.

Trane Technologies Names Donny Simmons COO

SWORDS, Ireland — Trane Technologies has appointed Donny Simmons as COO, effective July 1, 2026, as the company restructures its leadership team to support continued growth and evolving market opportunities.

Simmons will report to Chair and CEO Dave Regnery and oversee the company's regional business units and operations. According to Trane Technologies, the move is intended to improve alignment between business and operational functions and accelerate execution of its growth strategy.

The company said the appointment reflects its increased scale since becoming a pure-play climate innovation company in 2020. During that period, Trane Technologies nearly doubled its annual revenue while operating in a market shaped by the global energy transition, advances in climate technologies, and growing adoption of artificial intelligence.

"Donny's appointment is an important step in our growth journey," Regnery said in a statement. "By bringing our regional businesses and operations together under his leadership, we will foster deeper collaboration, strengthen our Business Operating System and accelerate execution of our strategy."

Simmons most recently served as group president of the Americas region, where he oversaw commercial and residential HVAC, transport refrigeration, and life science solutions businesses.

A 25-year company veteran, Simmons joined the organization in 2001 and has led several major business units, including Commercial HVAC North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, as well as multiple global industrial businesses.

Trane Technologies said Simmons brings experience across general management, sales, manufacturing, and finance, along with leadership of complex global operations, positioning him to guide the company's next phase of growth.

A-Gas Promotes Safe R-32 and R-454B Recovery During Summer Demand

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — A-GAS is highlighting its A2L refrigerant recovery capabilities as HVAC contractors prepare for increased service demand during the peak cooling season.

The company said its specialized recovery services are designed to help contractors safely recover mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, including R-32 and R-454B, as the industry continues its transition toward lower-global-warming-potential refrigerants.

According to A-GAS, growing adoption of A2L refrigerants in residential and light commercial HVAC systems is increasing the need for proper training, equipment, and recovery procedures. The company offers certified recovery equipment and trained technicians to support contractors handling these refrigerants in the field.

To help minimize downtime, A-GAS provides Rapid Exchange tank swap services and Refri-Claim cylinder swap options through participating wholesale suppliers. The programs allow contractors to exchange used recovery cylinders for clean tanks while maintaining proper handling practices for A2L refrigerants.

A-GAS also noted that its Rapid Recovery jobsite recovery service is now available for A2L refrigerants. The company said the service can accelerate refrigerant recovery compared to traditional recovery methods, helping contractors complete work more efficiently during periods of high demand.

The company stated that its Environmental Protection Agency-certified technicians also hold ESCO A2L certification and are trained in the safe handling and recovery of mildly flammable refrigerants.

Recovered refrigerant is processed through A-Gas' reclamation network, where eligible material can be reclaimed for future use and unusable refrigerant can be safely destroyed. According to the company, this process helps contractors maintain compliance, reduce downtime, and support responsible refrigerant lifecycle management as the industry continues transitioning to next-generation refrigerants.

SACRAMENTO, California — Jetson Home is expanding operations across California as the state works toward its goal of installing six million heat pumps by 2030.

Jetson will launch operations in Sacramento, Burbank, San Jose, and the Inland Empire, expanding on its presence in Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York.

According to Jetson, the expansion is intended to address barriers that have slowed residential heat pump adoption, including upfront costs, installation complexity, and contractor availability.

The company said homeowners across California can purchase its all-electric heat pump system, Jetson Air, through a direct-to-consumer model. Jetson reports that its approach can reduce total project costs by 30% to 50% compared with traditional contractor installation models.

The California rollout includes the establishment of regional operational hubs to support installations, customer service, and ongoing maintenance. Jetson expects the expansion to create hundreds of jobs statewide, including positions for licensed HVAC technicians, electricians, warehouse personnel, and managers.

“California is one of the most important electrification markets in North America because homeowners are actively looking for alternatives to aging gas systems,” said Stephen Lake, CEO and co-founder of Jetson. “We’re seeing strong demand from homeowners who want to upgrade their home without the cost, hassle and uncertainty of legacy contractors. As we grow, our focus remains on making the switch to electric heating and cooling practical and affordable for more households."

Utility and municipal incentive programs are also expected to support adoption. According to the company, homeowners may qualify for rebates through organizations including Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Roseville Electric, Burbank Water and Power, San Jose Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and Riverside Public Utilities.

Available incentives vary by market. In Sacramento, qualifying homeowners may receive up to $3,000 through Sacramento Municipal Utility District programs. Roseville Electric customers may qualify for up to $2,500 for gas-to-electric heat pump upgrades. Incentives in Burbank and surrounding Los Angeles-area markets can reach up to $5,000 for qualifying households, while programs in San Jose and Silicon Valley offer rebates ranging from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on eligibility requirements and project scope.

Jetson said its in-house teams manage system design, permitting, installation, rebate coordination, and ongoing service. The company also noted that the Jetson Air system is designed to work with existing ductwork and includes features such as energy monitoring, indoor air quality sensing, performance alerts, and software updates.

For HVAC contractors, the expansion reflects continued growth in the residential electrification market and increasing competition around heat pump installation, customer acquisition, and service delivery models.

According to Jetson, the company has upgraded more than 1,000 homes across North America to all-electric heating and cooling systems. The expansion follows a funding round exceeding $60 million and supports the company's broader plans to grow its heat pump business across North America.