JAN/FEB 2026 RETA Breeze

2025-26 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD David Gulcynski, CRES, CIRO Dot Foods, Inc INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Bill Lape, CARO, CIRO, CRST SCS Engineers EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Ray Urban Jr, CARO Lineage Logistics TREASURER Jeremy Murfin, CARO AC&R Specialists SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Melissa Cassell General Refrigeration Company BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeremiah Armstrong Brakebush Brothers Dale Clinton, CIRO, CRST Stellar Jason Daniell, CIRO APSM Mike Davis Republic Refrigeration, Inc. John Farnham Meier Supply Ron Fetterley, CARO, CIRO, CRST APCCO Jayson Goff, CMS CoolSys C.I.S. Rich Hoke, CMS Retired Brandon Jones, CARO Tyson Foods, Inc. Eric Kaiser TruTech Tools, Ltd Casey McConnaughy Bosch Home Comfort Group Mike Missall, CARO Summit Refrigeration Group Jodie Rukamp SCS Engineers

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

The last several months of 2025 were quite busy. The RETA-RSES Board of Directors, along with the standing committees, began a review of our association gover nance policies. This is something that any strong association should do periodically in order to ensure that its policies still reflect the best methods of conducting association business. This review results in one of two actions. Either the policy is updated to reflect more appropriate practices based on the current economic or cultural cues; or, the people for whom the policy is intended are reminded of the proper methods of “doing business” so to speak. ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) expects our associa tion to state what we are going to do to run the association, and then do it. Much like Process Safety Management, if we don’t do what we say that we are going to do, then that may result in a non-confor mance during the annual ANAB audit. While I don’t expect a full review of the policies to take place every year, one thing that I do expect is for new members of the Board or new committee members to read through those policies when they fill a role in our Association. Many other exciting things have happened over the last several months. First, RETA-RSES HQ has successfully aligned the general ledgers for both halves of our wonderful organization. We are now able to have a complete picture of our financial health. This is a huge and necessary step that will enable us to make sound decisions during our strategic planning meeting in April. Second, the Marketing Committee is gearing up to start a monthly HVACR podcast. This is one of several exciting avenues being pursued to help to raise awareness of our Association. Speaking of raising awareness, one of my goals for many years has been to have a conversation with Mike Rowe. Through his MikeRoweWorks foundation, he is trying to raise awareness regarding the desperate shortage of workers in the skilled trades and to encourage people to explore a

career in them. In short, he is doing exactly what we are trying to do, and it would be exciting, not to mention beneficial for us, to work together. So, if you are active on social media, I encourage you to follow Mike and his foundation, and to engage by comment ing on posts. Be sure to highlight the importance of our industry and the critical need for “new blood.”With roughly 12,000 members in our Association, we may not be the biggest trade organization out there, but we are the “coolest.” Let’s strive to keep that number growing! Find Mike Rowe here: https://bit. ly/4bjNYg7 Find MikeRoweWorks here: https://bit. ly/49m9zlv Another note on social media engage ment: the RETA-RSES social media group is working hard to deliver meaningful content and to encourage industry discussion (and to have a little fun). Please comment when you see these posts. The recent discussion on hot work permits when using sulfur sticks was interesting, and proof that we still have work to do to educate our people who work in our industry. We have several industry appearances upcoming. THE RETA-RSES team will be at ASHRAE and AHR show in February. Please stop by and say hello to our road team! As always, thank you for the confidence you’ve shown in me by electing me to be your 2026 International President.

Bill Lape, CARO, CIRO, CRST RETA-RSES International President

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026