Arlington, Va. — 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), today announced scholarship awards totaling $62,000 to 36 students, including five military veterans, 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 these aspiring technicians, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced."

"Supporting workforce development and employee retention programs are ACCA's highest priorities and we're pleased to work with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to help contractors recruit and retain skilled workers," said ACCA President and CEO Barton James. "These scholarship awards also support ACCA's work with President Trump and his pledge to America's workers, which is focused on providing educational opportunities to develop a strong workforce. Congratulations to these very deserving young men and women, we look forward to you advancing in our industry and becoming tomorrow's leaders."

HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program Recipients:

Adam Tarnowski, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Aiden Chestnut, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Anthony Mahar, Vista College, Fort Smith, AR

Austin Reynolds, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Bart Clement, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, AL

Charles Sweet, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO

Christopher Biringer, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Christopher Joseph, Milliken, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Colby Buntin, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN

Collin Engler, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Bowling Green, KY

Emily Gavrilenko, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

Henry Grills, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Harlan, KY

Jamie Lee, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

Jonnell Bailey, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, GA

Jorge Kanlilar, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Joshua Yadon, Moore Norman Technology Center, Norman, OK

Joshua Kelsey, Monroe Community College - Applied Technologies Center, Rochester, NY

Justin Vazquez, Johnston Community College, Smithfield, NC

Lisa Gragg, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO

Luke Brambley, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Matthew Mase, Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, WA

Maurice Sears, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Meghan Bence, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, OK

Peter Bennett, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

Philip Blaylock, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, AL

Rickey Gunby Jr., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, GA

Robert Gardner, Sheridan Technical College, Hollywood, FL

Ruben Carreon, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX

Sean Fitzpatrick, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Tyler Fabish, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL

Tyler Andersen, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

Veterans Program Recipients:

Alejandro Lopez, San Joaquin Valley College, Temecula, CA

Eric Larson, InterCoast College, Fairfield, CA

Rene Avendano, South Texas College, McAllen, TX

Steven Layer, Fortis College, Centerville, OH

Tommy Juarez, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Since the Rees Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2003, it has awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships to more than 500 deserving students and instructors. For a list of past scholarship recipients, click here.