Revised June 2005

ASHRAE was founded in 1894 as an International Society and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. ASHRAE is the premier organization worldwide for the advancement of heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, and ventilation sciences. ASHRAE has its roots in two engineering societies: ASHVE for Heating and Ventilating Engineers (1894) and ASRE for Refrigeration Engineers (1904). In 1954, ASHVE added Air Conditioning to its name and became ASHAE. In 1959, ASRE and ASHAE merged to become ASHRAE, the international society we know today. Fifty year ASHRAE SOCIETY member, David C. Allen served as the first Connecticut Chapter President of ASHRAE as well as the last President of the local ASRE and ASHAE chapters. Dave continues to attend our meeting on special occasions.

The Connecticut Chapter is the fourth oldest chapter, dating to June, 1940, when it was originally chartered as a chapter of the ASHVE. In 1959, the Connecticut Chapter of ASHVE merged with the Connecticut Valley Chapter of ASRE to become the Connecticut Chapter of ASHRAE. In 1961, the Southern Connecticut Chapter of ASHRAE also became part of the Connecticut Chapter. In 1989, a portion of the Western Massachusetts Chapter was added to the Connecticut Chapter. Today, the Chapter geographically serves the State of Connecticut (except Fairfield County) plus three counties in Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin). The Chapter has grown to be one of ASHRAE's largest with 595 Society members.

Monthly meetings have been held in several places over the years: Club Alden in Wethersfield, DePasqualli's in Berlin, Hedges in West Hartford, the Sphinx Temple in Newington, the Buckboard in Glastonbury, and are presently held nine months each year at the Courtyard by Marriott (FORMER Holiday Inn) in Cromwell, CT, on the second Thursday of each month. The Chapter has celebrated Past Presidents Night at its December meeting each year since it was initiated during Joe Giannone's reign in 1982 - 83. A Technical Session has preceded the dinner meeting since 1967. Our monthly newsletter, the Nutmeg News, has grown from a one page meeting notice to a ten page magazine with advertising added in 1992 - 93. In 1999 Roberta Rocchetti became the Nutmeg News Editor as well as editing each revision of the Membership Directory. In 2003-2004, Julie Williams took over the hard work.

In November of 1998 Mike and Roberta Rocchetti set up the Chapter's web site, www.ctashrae.org. Our chapter thus became one of the very first in ASHRAE to offer its membership the convenience of an internet website. Today, about 100 of ASHRAE's 160 local chapters have followed Connecticut's lead in exhibiting a Web site.

The CT Chapter has been fortunate in receiving years of dedicated service from its Committee Chairmen. Some recent notable changes include TEGA/REFRIGERATION where Tony Omicioli, after countless years of service, passed the baton in 2001 to new TEGA Chairman, Mike Sherber, coincident with the demise of Refrigeration as a grass roots ASHRAE committee. Mike served until David P. Brown took over the newly named Technology Committee in 2004 – 2005. In the year 2000 - 2001, the chairmanship of the Student Activities Committee was passed by Jim Smart to Ernie Domingue. Ed Gutowski took the reins in 2004 – 2005. The tireless dedication of all three men is appreciated by the Chapter. The flow of new engineers into our HVAC field is dependent on their success.

In 1999, the ADVERTISING chairmanship was relinquished to John Pouliot by Ed Adajian. Ed had dedicated many years as advertising chairman and as a tireless member of the Board of Governors. John Pouliot built advertising revenues to record levels from 1999 to 2003 when he assumed responsibility for RESEARCH/RESOURCE PROMOTION. John Lauria of Carrier, Inc., ADVERTISING Chairman for 2004 – 2005, has been very successful in this position.

Since 1919, ASHRAE has conducted its own research programs funded by member contributions. Chapter fund raising supports the research and technological advancements commissioned by the Society, both nationally and internationally. RESEARCH PROMOTION Chairman, Gary Franchi, passed the reins to Paul Marques at the start of the 2000-2001 year. (Gary remains an active member of that Committee). Paul was elected Chapter Secretary for 2003-2004 and is rising through the chairs. John Pouliot presently serves as Committee Chairman. In May, 2005, the ASHRAE Society restored the original committee name of RESEARCH PROMOTION to the function.

Ken Reynolds served with Tom Neill at the Reception desk every month for a decade until turning over the RECEPTION COMMITTEE to Michelle LeMoine in 2003.

A golf outing is held each summer, both as a social and fund raising activity for research. The outing was run as a joint effort of Bob Livingston and Fred Blackinton as long as anyone can remember. With the retirement of Bob Livingston in 1999, Fred continued to run the golf outing with great success. In 2004, Roberta Rocchetti organized the golf outing at a new location at Blackledge Country Club, Hebron, CT. The event was again very successful in 2005.

The Connecticut Chapter Education Committee annually awards scholarships to selected higher education students advancing their studies in the HVAC fields. Scholarship Funds of up to $5000 are available to engineering students each year. Richard A. Wing serves as PUBLICITY Chairman and takes many fine photographs at Chapter events. Doug Rothman serves as HONORS & AWARDS Chairman. Local members participate in raising the general public interest in the engineering field through Professional Engineers' Week presentations and by serving as technical experts on many local government groups.

For many years during the 1990's, the Connecticut Chapter was a major sponsor of the HVAC Trade Show and Outing, where good food and outstanding trade exhibits always drew large crowds. Starting in 1999, Mike Skoldberg, Trade Show Committee Chairman, organized a new Trade Show and Expo held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT. This new Expo was an instant success and was repeated in 2001, and 2003. A full schedule of technical seminars is included with this event. The main purpose of technical seminars is to provide continuing education for ASHRAE members and nonmembers in the HVAC community on topics of current interest. This Expo is Free of Charge for All ASHRAE Society Members assigned to the CT Chapter. Heavy industry participation has resulted in the Expo becoming our largest fund raiser.

The most recent Connecticut Chapter Presidents have been:

Dean Azzam for 2001-2002

Joe Furman for 2002-2003

Mike Rocchetti, 2003 – 2004, whose term in office was abbreviated by the Department of Defense activating him to his status of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Mike was assigned to Paul Bremer’s staff in Baghdad’s Green Zone and continues on active duty.

Barry McGuiness completed Mike’s term and is currently President. Barry’s administrative skills have led the Chapter through an exceptionally successful year.

Sean Bronson is President-Elect

It is difficult to believe that it has been ten years since the Connecticut Chapter hosted the Region 1 Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) in August, 1995. This three day event was held at the Marriott Hotel in Farmington, CT, and was attended by 250 Society members from eight Northeast states.

Rich in the traditions of participation, leadership, and contribution, the Connecticut Chapter is proud of its many members who have made significant contributions to the Society and the state of the art in our industry.

 
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PAST PRESIDENTS CONNECTICUT CHAPTER of ASHRAE