Ann Stanton, Gary Griffin, and Precision Air Receive Special Recognition from FRACCA

Any HVAC contractor with a building code question or involved in any of the code committees has probably been assisted by Ann Stanton with the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Stanton is the staff liaison to both the Mechanical and Energy Technical Committees (TACs). She was recognized by the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA) at their 2008 Awards Luncheon held during the April Education Conference in Orlando with the prestigious President’s Award of Appreciation. When presenting the award, Dan Griffin, FRACCA 2007-2008 President, described Stanton as not only dedicated to the HVAC industry but an individual who goes well beyond her job description with the State to be a resource for our members, staff and the HVAC community at-large.

“I’m honored to receive this award and want to thank FRACCA for this recognition,” Ann stated. “This Association is pulling a lot of good people together and filling an extremely useful education function, getting everybody informed and represented. One of the major challenges for the HVAC industry is the unforeseen circumstances that develop when today’s standards are applied in our climate. Educating the contractors and code officials is vitally important if we are to meet this challenge successfully.”

A graduate of the University of Hawaii, Ann began her career with the State of Florida in 1978 as an energy professional with the Governor’s Energy Office writing contracts and documents in support of energy conservation. In 1980, she assumed a position with the Florida Department of Community Affairs, building Codes and Standards Section in direct support of Florida’s Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction. Ann was responsible for providing technical assistance to building departments and design professionals on energy code issues, code development, maintenance and revision, writing and monitoring code development contracts and monitoring national code development. Since 1998, as Building Codes Analyst, she has supported the Florida Building Commission in the development of the Florida Building Code and been the lead analyst on Florida’s energy efficiency code and Building Energy Rating System.

Gary Griffin, a Ft. Myers Mechanical Contractor and member of the Florida Building Commission – no relation to Dan Griffin, assisted in presenting Stanton her award. Gary Griffin thought he had been invited to honor Ann Stanton, however, that was only one of the reasons he had been asked to attend the luncheon. Will Barnes, Awards Chair, along with John Androski of Trane together announced that Gary Griffin was nominated by his Chapter, the TriCounty Specialty Contractors Association (TCSCA), to receive the FRACCA 2008 Leadership Award sponsored by Trane. This award is presented annually to a FRACCA member who exemplifies leadership in a FRACCA chapter and the HVAC industry. Griffin is president of B&I Contractors, a $32 million dollar company that performs commercial HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal and plumbing projects. Even though busy running a company, he still finds volunteer time. He is a past president of TCSCA, Past President of the TriCounty Apprenticeship Academy, serves on other local charity boards and, last but not least, represents the HVAC industry as the appointed Mechanical/HVAC contractor on the Florida Building Commission.

FRACCA also recognizes the contribution of individual companies that make up its membership. Many provide an environment within the companies that encourage the involvement in FRACCA and community service organizations. One company stood out this year in their service to the industry and was recognized by being awarded the FRACCA 2008 Outstanding Company Award – Precision Air. The president, Dave Liner, and his employees contributed many hours, space at their offices, and “food” to organizing the Marion County Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MCACCA). Without this company’s leadership the voice of local contractors would have not been heard to resolve local issues.

FRACCA chapters, Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MACCA), Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Tampa Bay (RACCA), and the TriCounty Specialty Contractors Association (TCSCA), all received 2008 Chapter of Excellence awards based on their programs, board and member involvement, and membership recruitment in 2008. In addition MACCA received the first ever Chapter Innovation Award for their development of a TV Commercial to promote consumer awareness of the importance using licensed contractors and MACCA members.

A big THANK YOU from the FRACCA Board of Directors to Trane for their generous sponsorship of the 2008 FRACCA Awards Luncheon, Membership Luncheon, and the 2008 Leadership Award. Additionally, thank you to the other FRACCA sponsors without whom the 2008 Education Conference would not have been the success it was: Federated Insurance, Enterprise Fleet Management, Kickstart, Purpose Employer Solutions, Barry Scarr Agency, Florida Air Designs, Pro-Am Safety, RCD Corporation, RE Michael Company, and Sterling Regional Merchant Services.