Chapter History

In September 1894, a group of nationally known engineers, educators and manufacturers met in New York and agreed that, "the great art of heating and ventilating deserved and required recognition as an essential, distinctive and highly specialized division of modern engineering." These seventy-five (75) individuals became the nucleus of an organization they called "The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers," or ASHVE.

Since that first meeting, the Society has had many changes as an organization including the following highlights:

• 1895 In January, the first annual meeting was held in New York City where the organization was incorporated.
• 1895 The first annual Transactions were published.
• 1915 The journal was issued as a quarterly publication.
• 1922 HV&AC Guide was first published.
• 1955 ASHVE changed to ASHAE (American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
• 1959 The national organizations of ASHAE and ASRE (American Society of Refrigeration Engineers) merged to form ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.)

In May 1957, thirty-seven members, associate members and affiliates of the national organization of ASHAE Petitioned the Council to form the Jacksonville Chapter. Founding officers included: Burt Sayman, President; John Spence, First Vice President; and, George Israel, Jr., Secretary. Subsequent to the merging of ASHAE and ASRE in 1959 and the formation of regions within ASHRAE, the Jacksonville Chapter was part of Region IV. During the 10th Region IV dinner meeting at the "Old Original Bookbinders" in Philadelphia, PA, on January 29, 1979, Region IV members said good-bye to parts of their membership, including the Jacksonville Chapter, which were moving to the newly formed Region XII. The Jacksonville Chapter remains an active participant in Region XII.

Early monthly meetings were held at the Roosevelt Hotel in downtown Jacksonville and the University Golf Club House, buildings no longer standing. From there, dinners were held at the Green Turtle Inn on Phillips Highway, which subsequently changed its name to Brewmaster's. After a short stay at the Seaboard Coastline Building (now CSX,) dinner moved to the cafeteria of Memorial Hospital in the early 1980's. It remained there until January 1989 when the meetings moved to the Tiger's Eye Restaurant of the Independent Life Building. In 1997, the meetings changed to a lunchtime format and were held at River City Brewing Company. Meetings are currently held at the San Jose Country Club (www.sjccjax.com), 7529 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217

From these humble beginnings of 37 dedicated members, the Jacksonville Chapter has grown through the decades. By the early 1980's, chapter membership was nearing 200 and by the mid 1990’s the chapter total membership was at 310 strong. Today, in the 2008/2009 Society Year, the chapter consists of over 350 regular members and 40 student members.

In addition to growing the membership, the Jacksonville Chapter pursued the foundation of a Gainesville Section beginning in January 1988. That section was established in early fall, 1992 but after several years, it became inactive. With over 70 members located in the Gainesville area, the Jacksonville chapter has attempted to have several meetings each year in this area. The Chapter has also been instrumental in the formation of the Student Branch at the University of Florida (UF). In December 1991, nineteen students petitioned ASHRAE Society for the formation of their organization. In February 1992, Society’s Board of Directors approved their petition. Our Regional Director at the time, Ron Kessner, Regional Student Activities Vice Chair, Ray Patenaude, Student faculty advisor, Dr. Sherif, the Jacksonville Chapter and the nineteen students celebrated Charter Night on March 26, 1992. It would be 12 years before the chapter gained another student chapter. In May 2004, 10 students at the University of North Florida (UNF) with their faculty advisor, Dr. Adewale, petitioned Society to form a student branch. At the annual Society meeting in June 2004, the Board of Directors granted a charter to UNF. On November 9, 2004, at a dinner meeting at UNF Building 50 the official charter was presented by chapter president, Joey Robinson, to the University of North Florida represented by the Dean of Engineering, Steve Nix, ASHRAE faculty advisor, Dr. Adewale and student president, George Israel IV. It is interesting to note forty-seven years earlier, George's grandfather was one of the founding officer of the Jacksonville Chapter of ASHRAE.

Throughout the years, this Chapter has been involved in various Educational Activities. The chapter has been presented ASHRAE Awards to winners in the Kiwanis Science and Engineering Fair, for students from 6th through 12th grades, at Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ). The chapter also has provided judges for that Science Fair. The chapter has provided assistance in grading exams and proctoring tests for MathCounts and JETS, two math competitions held in the Jacksonville area for middle school and high school students. In addition, there is periodic interaction through Career Nights or on-campus visits with college students at area colleges and universities.

The chapter has also provided ongoing technical training and continuing education classes through its Professional Development Seminars, technical seminars and maintenance of the HVAC Reference Library at UF and UNF. In mid-1970, the Jacksonville and Florida West Coast chapter jointly sponsored an annual Florida Conference on Air Conditioning at the University of Florida. This conference existed for approximately six years and met the needs of providing those in our industry with current design practices for Florida. The idea of providing design specific information for the Florida construction and climate was later adopted by our chapter in 2001 when we sponsored our first IAQ Forum. The proceeds from the chapter forums and seminars were invested in ASHRAE research. We have seen our members’ investment in ASHRAE research increase over the years with the chapter being recognized as a top chapter by Society during the last 4 years. In fact, for 1999 the chapter ranked #1 for our size by collecting over $20,000 for research. Over the last ten years the chapter members and HVAC firms have invested approximately $150,000 for ASHRAE research while over the same period over $700,000 has been returned by ASHRAE to our area in ASHRAE research projects at the University of Florida. These projects employee engineering students, thereby, attracting them to the art and sciences of heating, refrigerating and air conditioning industry.

Also our members have taught classes at local schools and have participated in product shows, trade shows and other activities, as appropriate, to Engineers Week. Besides Jacksonville sponsored forums, conferences and seminars, our chapter attempted to educate the public regarding ASHRAE when, in November 1987, a column appeared in the Florida Times-Union, explaining the chapter's attempts to persuade the Society to have one of its annual conferences here in Jacksonville in its centennial year, 1994. Times-Union columnist, Vic Smith, with the help of the chapter's Daniel N. Frey, reported on the development of air conditioning in Apalachicola by Dr. John Gorie and the search for the oldest air conditioning system in north Florida.

Change has been an integral part of the Jacksonville Chapter. In late 1977, chapter by-laws were changed to incorporate a president-elect position for continuity. In approximately 1996, the by-laws were again under review and changes were made to increase the number of governors on the board of the chapter.

The Diffuser, the chapters’ monthly publication, has grown and changed through the years as well. As technology and desktop publishing have improved, so, too, has the newsletter, providing more information to the members and keeping communication a key factor in chapter strength. In 2002, under Ben & Karen Cole, the chapter moved into a paperless Diffuser. Copies of the Diffuser are included on the chapter website. If you are interested in receiving an electronic copy of the Diffuser, please go either to roster section of the chapter site of www.ashraejax.org or directly to www.ashraejax.org/roster/memberupdate.php and complete the questionnaire.

The chapter has honored its members during Engineers Week with the "Engineer of the Year" Award and "Young Engineer of the Year" Award for those under 35 years of age. In addition, the chapter recognizes other contributing members through awarding Life Memberships, the Bull Oyster Award each year since 1972 and the SYA Award since 1975, both of these awarded on the basis of participation in the Oyster Roast. Lists of some of these award winners are included on the chapter website.

Since Region XII was formed from Region IV in 1978, the Jacksonville Chapter has hosted on three occasions the annual Region XII Chapters Regional Conference (CRC): in September 1986, at Amelia Island, in August 1994, at Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach (in conjunction with Region IV), and in 2004 at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. It was only fitting that at 2004 CRC, the Jacksonville Chapter received the J. Wes Floreth Best Chapter 2003-2004 Award. This award was named in honor of Region XII 1st Director and Regional Chair who was a member of the Central Florida Chapter. Thanks to the hard work and diligent efforts of many volunteers from the chapter, these events have spotlighted the Jacksonville Chapter as a strong, vibrant organization of dedicated engineers, contractors, owners and manufacturers' representatives, just as envisioned by the founding members in 1957, who have consistently won the President's Award of Excellence. The Jacksonville Chapter looks forward to hosting another CRC in the next decade!

Finally, since its inception, the Jacksonville Chapter has recognized the need for socializing and fraternizing among members to strengthen the ties within the organization. The President's Ball , beginning in the early 1970's, has included Mexican Fiestas, luaus, beach parties and various other casual and formal affairs. The annual Golf Outing, since the early 1980's, has been held at many courses throughout north Florida with various awards and many stories of long drives, great putts and record numbers of lost balls! As the popularity of this event grew, we expanded our golf outing to a fall and spring event. In 2003, we added a fall and spring pool tournament to the chapter social events and 2007, in an attempt to engage the youth of the industry; Matt Orenchuk organized the first kickball tournament. The event did succeed in gaining participation by many of the youth and even raised profits for Research Promotion . The chapter has entertained its members and families with Fun and Games Family Outings, Casino Nights/Las Vegas Nights, guest speakers, picnics and much food. But nothing can compare with the Oyster Roast, a well-attended, annual event since 1972. With few exceptions, this event has been held at the Ramallah-American Club on the first Friday of December. It is by far is our highest attended event. In fact, we have members from other chapters attend this event!

From the thirty-seven founding members in 1957 to today's more than 300 supporting members, the Jacksonville Chapter of ASHRAE has developed traditions and established a strong organization with dedicated members of this honorable profession. In 2007, we enjoyed celbrating our 50th anniversary and we look forward to serving the Jacksonville HVAC&R community into the future.

ARCHIVES

Pertinent historical materials for the Jacksonville Chapter is located in the Jacksonville Chapter Archives, housed with the chapter's grateful appreciation, at W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors, Inc., 524 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204. Telephone (904) 388-2696. Contributions to the Chapter Archives may be made to, and are gratefully accepted by, the Chapter Historian.