AHRI Presents Industry Awards, Names 2026 Leadership
At its 2025 Leadership Forum, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute recognized several industry leaders for their contributions to the HVACR and water heating industry, and also named its 2026 leadership.
Awards were given in three categories: the Richard C. Schulze Award, which recognizes the industry-wide achievements of individuals also pursuing AHRI goals; the AHRI Public Service Award, for deserving individuals or organizations making a significant contribution to the HVACR industry and the communities it serves, and the AHRI Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honor, recognizing industry leaders who have made considerable contributions throughout their careers.
Richard C. Schulze Award winners include:
- Ronnie Moffitt, Trane Technologies
- Stephen Spletzer, The Chemours Company
- Matt Thornblad, Rheem Manufacturing
The Public Service Award was presented to John Hazen White Jr., executive chairman and owner of AHRI member company Taco. The Distinguished Service Award was posthumously awarded to Brent Schroeder, who most recently served as chief operating officer and head of global technologies for Emerson’s Climate Technologies Group.
The AHRI Nominating Committee also named the association’s board of directors and officers for 2026:
Officers:
- Mike Branson, Rheem Manufacturing Company, chairman
- R. Bruce Carnevale, Bradford White Corporation, vice chairman
- Holly Paeper, Trane Technologies, vice chairman
- Kevin Beckett, R.W. Beckett, treasurer
- Megan Fellinger, Morrison Products, immediate past chairman
Board of directors
- Dennis Appel, Danfoss
- David Budzinski, Bosch Thermotechnology Corporation
- Tim Figge, Hussmann Corporation
- John Kramer, Cambridge Air Solutions
- Alok Maskara, Lennox International
- Gaurang Pandya, Carrier Corporation
- John Schneider, Copeland
- Steve Shafer, A.O. Smith Corporation
- John Thomas, WaterFurnace International
- Yogi Uemura, Daikin U.S. Corporation
