The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), announced on January 10, 2019, scholarship awards totaling $65,000 to 39 students, including five military veteran program recipients, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

“We are pleased to award scholarships to these qualified and dedicated students and veterans, and we look forward to welcoming them into the industry,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “Each year, the Foundation provides aid to an increasing number of recipients, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

“Developing quality workers is a critical initiative that everyone in our industry is working together to accomplish,” said ACCA Interim President and CEO Barton James. “We are proud to partner with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to give these hard-working students and veterans scholarships to help them continue their education, which will develop into a strong workforce for our industry’s future.”

HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program Recipients:

• Rocky Boshell, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Alan Carroll, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
• Jessica Davis, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Chandler Ellis, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Mason Ellis, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Logan Guthrie, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Chandler Sawyer, Bevill State Community College, Hamilton, AL
• Zachary Stewart, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Andrew Bresnahan, Intercoast College, Rancho Cordova, CA
• Eduardo Lopez, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Garrett Miller, Intercoast Colleges, Sacramento, CA
• Ricardo Orozco, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Mark Ruiz, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Jeremy Templeton, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Elias Flores, Atlantic Technical College, Coconut Creek, FL
• Osmany Garciga, CBT College – Flagler Campus, Miami, FL
• Ismel Rodriguez, CBT College – Hialeah Campus, Hialeah, FL
• Raul Bertoli Vega, CBT College – Hialeah Campus, Hialeah, FL
• Justin Adams, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL
• Brandon Girard, Northeast Technical Institute, Scarborough, ME
• Gregory Bush, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
• William Macdonald, Northern Michigan Univeristy, Marquette, MI
• Paul Paiz, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI
• Colby Buntin, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
• Taylor Tadlock, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
• Ronny Rodriguez, The Electrical Training Center Inc., Copiague, NY
• Joshua Taylor, Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK
• Justin Williams, Moore Norman Technology Center – Franklin Road Campus, Norman, OK
• Alex Woody, Tulsa Tech – Lemley Memorial Campus, Tulsa, OK
• Christian Morano, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Wiliamsport, PA
• Christian Castillo, Tyler Junior College West Campus, Tyler, TX
• Lorenzo Luna, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX
• Cheyenne Benge, Perry Technical Institute, Yakima, WA
• Jose Luna, Perry Technical Institute, Yakima, WA

Veterans Program Recipients:

• Cedric Washington, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL
• Jeremy Galindo, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Garrett Hamilton, San Joaquin Valley College – Temecula, Temecula, CA
• Juan Villarreal, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
• Luis Zarabia, Intercoast College, Sacramento, CA

Since the Rees Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2003, it has awarded more than $800,000 in scholarships to more than 400 deserving students and instructors. For a list of past scholarship recipients, click here.

About the Rees Scholarship Foundation

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation was established to assist with the recruitment and competency of future HVACR and water heating technicians by awarding scholarships to qualified students enrolled in an institutionally accredited school. Eligible students must be preparing for a career in either residential or light commercial air conditioning, heating, or water heating, or commercial refrigeration.

About AHRI

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 300+ member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.

About ACCA

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is a non-profit association serving more than 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses in the indoor environment and energy services community. Its member firms are the nation’s most professional contracting businesses, serving residential and commercial customers in every state. With roots stretching back a century, ACCA was incorporated in its present form nearly 50 years ago. Today, ACCA sets the standards for quality comfort systems, provides leading-edge education for contractors and their employees, and fights for the interests of professional contractors throughout the nation.