People in the News

Martin Hoover Honored with ACCA Distinguished Service Award

Mechanical Hub Team June 17, 2020

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has awarded Martin Hoover of Empire Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Decatur, GA, with the association’s Distinguished Service Award. ACCA depends on the dedicated efforts of hundreds of volunteers who devote thousands of hours to committee service and providing leadership and guidance on standards development, public policy Read more

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has awarded Martin Hoover of Empire Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Decatur, GA, with the association’s Distinguished Service Award.

ACCA depends on the dedicated efforts of hundreds of volunteers who devote thousands of hours to committee service and providing leadership and guidance on standards development, public policy, and membership programs. All ACCA volunteers are incredibly valuable and deserve a debt of gratitude from the rest of the industry. Each year, ACCA recognizes one volunteer who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to ACCA and the contracting industry with the Distinguished Service Award.

Hoover was selected for this honor due to his high-energy and enthusiasm to help ACCA and its members be better businesspeople by becoming more active in the industry. He has served on the ACCA Board of Directors for three years and currently serve as the Chair of the Membership Committee and the ACCA-PAC. Prior to joining the ACCA Board of Directors, Hoover, was active in several committees including; the government relations committee, membership committee, and the ACCA-PAC committee. Hoover is also a vocal proponent for ACCA’s MIX® Group program, championing the values of contractors to put in the effort to start new groups, so they can reap some of the best benefits that ACCA membership has to offer.

“Martin’s passion for serving ACCA members is like nothing I have ever experienced before,” said Barton James, ACCA President and CEO. “He gets excited about what is affecting contractors and small businesses and pushes hard to move the needle forward. His desire to see our members be more involved in the industry and the association energizes those around him. It is rare to find a leader like him in any industry, so we are lucky that he is one our leaders.”

“I am honored to have received this award,” said Martin Hoover. “In my 35 years of business, I have met amazing people along the way, and value my industry peers, and the opportunities ACCA has afforded me. It has been my pleasure to be involved with ACCA as much as I have over the years, and to be recognized for my work and dedication to the industry is much appreciated.”

RPA Executive Director and IAPMO’s Vice President of Advanced Energy Programs Les Nelson Passes Away

Mechanical Hub Team May 30, 2020

Ontario, Calif. — With deep sadness IAPMO announces the passing of Vice President of Advanced Energy Programs Les Nelson. Nelson died last week at his home in Corona, California. He was 66. Nelson joined IAPMO in January 2012, bringing extensive industry knowledge and experience to The IAPMO Group’s rapidly expanding solar energy profile. He also brought Read more

Ontario, Calif. — With deep sadness IAPMO announces the passing of Vice President of Advanced Energy Programs Les Nelson. Nelson died last week at his home in Corona, California. He was 66.

Nelson joined IAPMO in January 2012, bringing extensive industry knowledge and experience to The IAPMO Group’s rapidly expanding solar energy profile. He also brought uncommon kindness and warmth to his fellow staff members at World Headquarters in Ontario, California.

Nelson was instrumental in incorporating additional hydronics code language and the new sections of geothermal into the Uniform Solar Energy Code, making it the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code it is today. He was working on projects related to the increased electrification of hydronic systems.

As the executive director of the Radiant Professionals Alliance and staff liaison to the Hydronics Industry Alliance – Commercial (HIA-C), Nelson was able to gain increased cooperation within the industry. He was skilled at keeping the teams focused in order to maintain and grow these industry segments.

Nelson authored several technical journal articles and was interviewed numerous times by industry press for his expertise.

Prior to joining IAPMO, Nelson was president of Western Renewables Group, through which he provided consulting services to federal, state and private clients since 1992. His involvement in the solar heating industry began 20 years earlier, two decades during which he worked in solar thermal manufacturing and contracting, regulatory and policy development, and solar energy advocacy at the state and federal levels.

Nelson was at times a director of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and chair of its Solar Heating & Cooling Division, a director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CAL SEIA), and a director of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). He also served as operating agent for the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Program’s Task 43: Solar Rating and Certification Harmonization.

The RPA and IAPMO staffs are working together to continue providing the same excellent service to RPA members they received from Nelson and a search for a new executive director is underway.

“Les was an incredibly kind and extremely knowledgeable professional who will be missed terribly,” said IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney. “Our hearts go out to his wife, Christine, and their family during this difficult time.”

If you desire to express condolences or send a charitable gift to Nelson’s family, please forward it to Mrs. Christine Nelson, c/o RPA, 4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761-2816.

Aquatherm’s Jim Paschal Honored by Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building and Construction Division

Mechanical Hub Team May 27, 2020

Jim Paschal, P.E., LEED AP, Chief Technology Officer, Aquatherm North America, has been named Member of the Year by the Building and Construction Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute. Paschal has been chair of the PPI Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee since its inception in 2017. He has led efforts to update product standards for polypropylene piping Read more

Jim Paschal, P.E., LEED AP, Chief Technology Officer, Aquatherm North America, has been named Member of the Year by the Building and Construction Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute.

Paschal has been chair of the PPI Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee since its inception in 2017. He has led efforts to update product standards for polypropylene piping systems, and is working to develop a new ASTM test method for PP-R and PP-RCT materials. Paschal has been instrumental in defining the type of work to be initiated and keeping members engaged.

“As Chair of PPI’s Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee, Jim Paschal is generous with his expertise about PP piping systems,” said Lance MacNevin, P.Eng., Director of Engineering, Plastics Pipe Institute. “He is instrumental in the development of technical projects, and building consensus among committee members. For example, Jim is leading efforts to update several product standards for polypropylene piping systems.”

“I’ve worked with PPI in various capacities for many years, and have always had great respect for everything this organization and the members do to promote the safe and effective use of plastic piping,” Paschal said. “I’m incredibly honored to have received this award from the PPI Building and Construction Division.”

Victaulic Names Rick Bucher President

Mechanical Hub Team May 1, 2020

Easton, Pa. USA – April 30, 2020 – Victaulic, the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe- joining systems, announced Rick Bucher has been appointed to the position of President and COO, effective immediately. Bucher will continue reporting to John F. Malloy who has served as Chairman, President & CEO for the past 16 years. John Read more

“Rick has demonstrated over a long tenure with Victaulic, the intellectual leadership and emotional skills to be Victaulic President. Innovation has driven Victaulic for 100 years. We like to think about Victaulic celebrating another centennial 100 years from now. If we are able to realize this vision, innovation will surely be a key reason. As President, Rick has the skills to lead Victaulic in this next chapter,” Malloy commented.

Bucher began his career with Victaulic in 2009 as Vice President, Product Development, and rose to the position of Executive Vice President, Technology & Product Development. In June 2019, Rick was named COO. During his 11-year career at Victaulic, Rick has led the design and development efforts of numerous construction industry innovations currently in use worldwide.

“Victaulic’s success has been a result of customer collaboration,” said Rick Bucher, Victaulic President and COO. “Working closely with our customers across the construction industry, Victaulic has responded to their needs through innovation and world-class support. Look inside many of the world’s most challenging projects – from the tallest towers to the deepest mines as well as today’s essential medical and infrastructure construction – Victaulic has been delivering innovative solutions for a demanding world. We look forward to serving our customers for many years to come.”

Rick joined Victaulic after spending 14 years at W.L. Gore, where he worked in industrial and medical sectors. Dr. Bucher holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in material science and engineering from Rice University and a doctorate in composite materials from Virginia Tech. A materials science engineer by training and an inventor by nature, Bucher holds 21 patents and patent applications.

Taco Family of Companies Promotes Cheryl Merchant to Chief Executive Officer

Tim Ward March 24, 2020

The Taco Family of Companies Executive Chairman and owner John Hazen White, Jr. has announced the promotion of Cheryl Merchant to Chief Executive Officer of the 100-year old, third generation family-owned company. Merchant, who joined Taco in 2019, was previously President of Global Operations. “During her time at Taco, Cheryl has proven herself a capable Read more

“During her time at Taco, Cheryl has proven herself a capable and talented leader. I feel confident that our company will continue to move in a positive direction under her leadership. This promotion demonstrates the full confidence and trust that the White family has in her,” said White.

White added, “I will remain actively involved in the company. This executive transition will allow me to focus on global growth of the company as well as continue to nurture and strengthen the crucial relationships we have with our employees, reps, suppliers, customers, and the communities where we work.”

Prior to joining Taco, Merchant spent the last 19 years as the President and CEO of Hope Global Industries, based in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

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