AHRI Leadership Forum
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa | Austin, TX | Nov. 16 - 18, 2025
AHRI Vice President of Public Affairs Francis Dietz kicks off the Leadership Forum with a primer on all that the association does - and can do for its members and the industry.
AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek at the Leadership Forum’s opening Need-to-Know session, which featured a report of recent association activities and future plans from all of AHRI’s major focus areas.
The AHRI Leadership Forum Reception and Dinner, where attendees played poker or roulette, sipped on smoked cocktails, and enjoyed cigars while networking.
AHRI Chairman Gary Bedard during the Annual Chairman’s Breakfast, during which he reported on the state of the association and presented AHRI Industry Awards.
Richard C. Schulze Award winner, Darcy Lee, Trane Technologies
Richard C. Schulze Award winner, Robert Glass, Daikin Comfort Technologies North America
Richard C. Schulze Award winner, Josh Greene, A. O. Smith Corp.
Richard C. Schulze Award winner, Eric Truskoski, Bradford White Corp.
Distinguished Service Award winner, William Rafferty, Mestek
Distinguished Service Award winner, Morrison Carter, Beckett Thermal Solutions
Keynote Speaker Chris Stirewalt delivered a candid and straightforward analysis of the presidential and congressional elections.
From left, AHRI Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater moderates the Political Insights Panel featuring Missy Edwards, President, Missy Edwards Strategies, LLC, Ed Krenik, Senior Principal, Bracewell, and Adam Olsen, Founder, Sconset Strategies.
Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey, acclaimed generational researcher and President of The Center for Generational Kinetics.
2025 Chairman Megan Fellinger, Morrison Products, Inc.
Keynote Speaker General Paul Nakasone (USA, Ret.), Former Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and former National Security Agency Director.
2024 AHRI Leadership Forum Gallery
The AHRI Board of Directors and staff welcomed over 500 AHRI members and guests to the 2024 AHRI Leadership Forum, held November 17-19, at the beautiful La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California.
The event offered something for everyone, with a packed agenda that included committee and Sector Leadership Council meetings, several product group meetings, and sessions outlining the benefits of AHRI membership and providing in-depth regulatory, legal, certification, and standards updates for the association. A lineup of impressive panelists and keynote speakers were also on hand to give insight into political and social trends that will influence the industry in the years ahead.
2024 AHRI Chairman Gary Bedard awarded longstanding AHRI members for their service to the industry and announced 2025 Chairman Megan Fellinger. And, because the Leadership Forum is the perfect balance of productivity and fun, attendees enjoyed abundant networking opportunities during the meeting, from large receptions and dinners to sporting events and tours throughout Palm Springs.