A fresh new voice!

Northwest Instructors Attend Annual ACARE Meeting

August 5, 2010

By Brittany Greer

For The Observer

Northwest Mississippi Community College heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration

technology instructors Whit Perry and Josh Buchanan attended the annual Alabama

Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (ACARE) meeting on July 28-30 in Verbena, Ala. They were among 50 other HVAC educators at the meeting.

On behalf of ACARE, Perry awarded Joel Owen of Alabama Power HVAC Training Center an Award of Appreciation for his work with the organization. Perry also presented an award to Harold Nelson of Mingledorff’s.

“These men have given their time, facility and knowledge to ACARE members throughout the years,” said Perry.

The meeting, according to Perry, allows Northwest to network with instructors across Alabama and learn the most recent updates in the industry.

“Our industry is constantly changing, and we look forward to starting our year with this event. This year’s meeting was a huge success with speakers from across the country,” said Perry.

Northwest became involved with ACARE after receiving its Partnership for

Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) in December 2007.

“The reviewer for our accreditation was from Alabama, and he invited us to this event. It was so informative that we joined their organization,” said Perry.

Perry was voted to PAHRA’s Board of Directors last year and was asked to serve on the ACARE Event Committee.

Perry’s involvement with the organization allows Northwest to receive advanced training from Alabama Power HVAC Training Center free of charge. Alabama Power Training Center is one of the premiere training centers for advanced air conditioning in the country.

Perry and Buchanan have decided to pursue starting a Mississippi Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (MCARE) with the instructors in Mississippi in the next few years.

“This would help the instructors in our state partner with our industry and bring in much needed training aids,” said Perry.

The Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program at Northwest is a post secondary instructional program that prepares individuals to work in engineering departments or private firms installing, maintaining and operating small or medium air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems.

For more information on the program, contact Perry at (662) 562-3888 or e-mail

wperry@northwestms.edu.

Northwest Mississippi Community College heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration technology instructor Whit Perry (left) presents Joel Owen of Alabama Power HVAC Training Center with an Award of Appreciation for his work with Alabama Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (ACARE) during their annual meeting July 28-30 in Verbena, Ala. (Courtesy photo)