Meet the finalists competing in the 2019 HVACR Leadership Awards.
This year there are 27 finalists competing for awards across seven categories.
CCN Publisher, Helen Davies, said the awards program has become a great way to recognise excellence in the HVACR industry.
“It is also an opportunity to come together as an industry and to celebrate success,” she said.
2019 award sponsors are ABB, Daikin Australia, Kirby, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioners Australia, Panasonic Air Conditioning, Toshiba Air Conditioning and Refrigerant Reclaim Australia.
There are two awards – male and female - in the Rising Star category which is sponsored by ABB. The female finalists are:
Airmaster apprentice technician, Susan Tohu, is still amazed by how much there is to learn in HVACR, not to mention the long list of opportunities available to women who choose to pursue a trade. Described as as an eager, punctual and enthusiastic learner, Susan said her role is incredibly varied and she has learnt a lot about refrigeration, electrical, plumbing and sheet metal work.
Airefrig Australia purchasing officer, Kristy Dobson, has moved quickly through the ranks and was actually promoted within three months of joining Airefrig as an office clerk. Today she is a senior purchasing clerk responsible for training five new staff members. Since leaving school she has discovered that further learning, studying and a forward thinking attitude are all necessary to succeed in an industry as dynamic as HVACR.
Aurecon associate & sustainability leader, Jessica Holz, has a decade of experience in design, construction supervision and mechanical services. She currently leads Aurecon's sustainability team in Queensland and is involved in Engineering Australia's women in engineering committee and the Women in AIRAH committee.
Finalists for male Rising Star are:
Precise Air Group WA/SA general manager, Brayden Hay, is the youngest member of the the company's executive team. He was a high achiever even as a technician when he won AIRAH's Best Performing Student Award. Brayden has been instrumental in developing the WA business and is currently completing an MBA.
Fujitsu General Australia national product manager, Kyle Rafter, is well-known as a true professional with a level of maturity that goes well beyond his 25 years. He began as a technician but it was clear he was a natural leader more suited to management. Kyle completed h9s Bachelor of Business, Management and Economics in 2017 and has never looked back.
Precise Air Group Newcastle account manager, James King, began his career as a technician but didn't waste any time moving into management after completing his Bachelor of Business. Soon he was running his own service team and managing accounts at the tender age of 30.
Airconstruct HVAC apprentice technician, Shannon Robertson, joined the company as an IT worker before discovering the joys of HVACR. Being in a new trade he had to start at the bottom cleaning ducts. Now that Robertson has proven himself as an absolute asset to the team he is working on cutting edge R&D.