ASHRAE Wraps Up Successful Virtual Winter Conference

ATLANTA (February 15, 2021) – The 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference concluded with more than 1,800 people in attendance over three and a half days and presentations from industry thought leaders from around the world.

The conference which ran from February 9-12, featured 59 live sessions, 27 Q&A chats with presenters of Conference Paper Sessions and 80+ on-demand sessions. In the weeks leading into the conference, committee members also participated in meetings of technical, standards and standing committees, developing guidance for the future of the industry and ASHRAE.

The technical program included numerous, highly attended sessions, on the diverse topics surrounding rapid changes in technology, policies, tools and engineering practices related to the pandemic. Top sessions included ‘Building Operation and COVID-19: Standard of Care,’ ‘What Did Building Do During the Pandemic, and How to Make your Buildings More Resilient’ and ‘Lessons from Managing Infrastructure through the COVID Shutdown.’ Other highly attended sessions include cutting edge labs, IAQ, ASHRAE standards, ethics, controls and energy efficiency. Attendees also observed new equipment and products demonstrated by conference sponsors.

“The ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference provided an ideal place for our members and industry professionals to connect directly with each other, to explore the latest research and learn how to address the challenges that we all face in establishing healthy indoor environments for building occupants,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “We were pleased to be able to showcase the new and exciting ways we’re moving ASHRAE forward as a society and how our resources have become an invaluable asset as the world learns more about the relationship between infectious disease mitigation and indoor air quality.”

The conference kicked off with the ASHRAE Meeting of the Members, including a Secretary’s Report from ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton and the State of the Society address from President Gulledge, updating the membership on the traction gained from his society theme, “The ASHRAE Digital Lighthouse and Industry 4.0.” Both spoke on recent society accomplishments including a successful research promotion campaign, the work of ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force during the pandemic, the establishment of a diversity task group, government affairs involvement and the opening of ASHRAE’s new Global Headquarters.

“ASHRAE volunteers remain committed to sharing their valuable time, wisdom and expertise – they remain steadfast in their determination to make the world a better place through ASHRAE,” said Littleton during his report. “Thank you to the thousands of volunteers at the society, regional and chapter levels that have adapted and persevered – and in many cases flourished – under these trying circumstances. Because of you, ASHRAE will emerge from the pandemic stronger and more influential than ever before.”

The ASHRAE Meeting of the Members video can be found at ashrae.org/president.

Attendees received a behind the scenes look at the innovative solutions that went into ASHRAE’s new global headquarters through an in-depth technical tour of the building, guided by ASHRAE Building Ad Hoc Committee chair Ginger Scoggins.

The ASHRAE Global Headquarters technical tour video can be found at ashrae.org/newhq.

The accomplishments of 165 outstanding ASHRAE members were recognized during special honors and awards segments each day, including the elevation of 16 members to level of ASHRAE Fellow.

All technical sessions are now available on-demand to registrants for the next 18 months. Registration for the 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Conference remains open for both individuals and groups at  ashrae.org/2021Winter.

Written by Mss14199

Published: 15 February 2021

Presidents Message - January 2021

Hello Fellow ASHRAE Northeast Members,

Happy New Year. I wish everyone got a nice break and have a happy holiday… It was nice to take a break and enjoy some time with family. 

There are two important events which are coming in February. The first one is ASHRAE Winter Conference (February 9-11, 2021). The 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference will take place in a convenient, online format. Attendees can join live discussions with top experts, learn the latest updates relating to COVID-19, and have access to 90+ technical sessions for 18 months. Group rates are available, and members register for just $249.

https://www.ashrae.org/conferences/2021-virtual-winter-conference

The second event is The Capital District’s 41th Anniversary Celebration Of National Engineers Week In The Capital District (February 11-12, 2021). The Capital District E-Week’s focus is to promote the Engineering Profession.  The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of engineers’ positive contributions to the quality of life, promote the importance of technical education including a high level of math, science, and technology literacy among parents, teachers, and students, and motivate youth to pursue engineering and related careers to provide a diverse and vigorous engineering workforce.

https://www.cvent.com/d/h7qfgm

Update about our chapter, we are currently in the process of updating our website. We have contracted with a web development company to update our website to be more user friendly. Thanks To Todd Turcotte (Chapter Webmaster) for his effort with the website development company.

As always, we are looking for volunteers to join our board. We have a few positions and chairs that we are looking for our members to help with. 

- Refrigeration Committee

- Young Engineer Committee

- Research Promotion committee

- Award & Honor Committee

- Program committee

If you are interested to join any of these committees or you want to get more information about them, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

I wish you all to stay safe.

Ramy Girgis, PE

President 2020-2021 ASHRAE Northeast Chapter

Written by Mss14199

Published: 18 January 2021

Research Promotion (RP): January 2021

Happy New Year, ASHRAE Northeast Chapter Members!  I hope the new year brings health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone in a way that offsets the turmoil of this past year.  It certainly has been difficult, but we will all persevere and be stronger as a result of these challenging times.

I am very happy to announce that our Chapter has achieved Full Circle Plus this year!  I want to thank my fellow Chapter Officers and Board of Governors who contributed to the Research Promotion (RP) Campaign!  It is greatly appreciated and sets a great example for our fellow members to follow.

We currently have raised $1,455 (13%) of our $11,500 RP fund raising goal for the year.  We still have a way to go to hit our goal by June 15, 2021 but there is still plenty of time to donate and show your support for ASHRAE’s industry advancing research and standard development, along with other educational and scholarship programs!

With the Governor’s State of the State Address, it is clear that New York State is setting out to be an example for progressing a “Green Energy Economy.”  Many of those initiatives will be based upon research and standards that ASHRAE has been involved with developing over its 125 year history.  ASHRAE continues to advance sustainable efforts and provide guidance on modernizing our future for generations to come.

As mentioned in the last RP newsletter update, COVID-19 has disrupted a few of our normal RP fund raising techniques.  And with social distancing policies still warranted in the near-term future, those opportunities will continue to be disrupted.  However, donating doesn’t need to occur at an event.  It is as simple as going to ASHRAE.ORG/CONTRIBUTE.

Please note that donations to RP do not go solely into research.  RP funding also goes toward other great elements of ASHRAE such as developing learning and educational programs, scholarships, and the support of Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA).

If you have any questions regarding Research Promotion, please do not hesitate to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your continued support!

Andrew Wilsey

2020-2021 Treasurer / RP Committee Chair

Written by Mss14199

Published: 18 January 2021

Get to Know your ASHRAE Board : Januarys Monthly Interview

Starting this ASHRAE year each month one of our many volunteers on our Northeast ASHRAE Board, who help make the Chapter what it is, will be interviewed. Not only will this give our other members an opportunity to get to know them better (especially while we have virtual meetings), but it will also give the opportunity to learn more about what each person is involved in within our Chapter. Learning about the positions within our Chapter Board is a great starting place to getting involved!

This months interview is with Stan Westhoff, who is our Chapters current Chapter Historian. The questions are the black underline, and her responses are in blue underneath.

1.    What is your current role with our ASHRAE Chapter and what does that entail for Board responsibilities?

I currently serve as Chapter Historian with responsibility for documenting chapter history.

2.    How long have you been in the industry / ASHRAE and what experience do you have?

I started in the industry over 50 years ago when I started working for York at the headquarters in York, PA after serving in the Navy.  I went through their Graduate Engineering Program and was assigned to the Commercial Air Handling and Refrigeration Products Division.  After the birth of my son we moved to Wilton, NY and started with Eastern Refrigeration as an Assistant Service Manager and moved up into a Sales Engineer position later to Vice President and General Manager before leaving to start a service company for Tougher Industries and served as General Manager.  I left Tougher Industries to become a Sales Engineer in Building Automation Products for Trane.  I retired from Trane, but later took a position with Honeywell Service Sales and finally I worked for Unilux Advanced Manufacturing as a Sales Associate at their Headquarters in Niskayuna, NY working with their distributors world-wide in the sales of boilers.

I was introduced to ASHRAE at Eastern Refrigeration and have been a member of ASHRAE for 46 years.   I was asked to serve a Membership Promotion Chair by William Jacobs.  I then went on to serve as Secretary, Vice President, President-Elect and President in 1985-86.  I went on to serve the Region as a Refrigeration Chair and member of the Society Refrigeration Committee and chaired the Refrigeration Committee for two years before moving on to Region I Director and Member of the Society Board of Directors.  After three years in this position I went on to serve on the Technology Council, Nominating Committee for Region I and as Regional Historian.  Last year I was Chair of the Society Historical Committee. I currently am the Regional Historian.  I have been honored to have received the following awards, Presidential Award of Excellence, Most Improved Chapter, Chapter Service Award, Regional Award of Merit, Distinguished Service Award and Exceptional Service Award.

3.    What do you enjoy to do in your spare time?

I was an avid runner up into my 70's before moving over to rowing with the Saratoga Rowing Association.  I row singles, quads and eights.  I also enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, riding my motorcycle and shooting sports.

4.    What is your favorite thing about being involved in ASHRAE?

I thought ASHRAE was the place to be if you were in this industry.  I enjoyed the people in ASHRAE and the opportunity to learn from those in the industry and to teach those coming into the industry and ASHRAE.

Written by Mss14199

Published: 15 January 2021