Gerald Groff, principal, Groff Associates, Cazenovia, NY, has been selected to receive the 2017 John F. James International Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. The award recognizes society members who have done the most to enhance the society’s international presence.

Groff is a fellow and life member of the society and has served as chairman of the society’s International Activities Committee and as chairman of the ASHRAE Associate Societies Alliance, which is responsible for coordination of ASHRAE activities with more than 55 regional and national professional associations involved with heating, refrigeration and air conditioning. Groff also served on the ASHRAE Board of Directors as a director at large.

Groff’s international involvements include participation in the International Energy Agency’s Advanced Heat Pump Technology program where he served as chairman of an international advisory board and as coordinator of the U.S. participation in the program in behalf of the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In 2008, he was awarded the Peter Rittinger von Rittinger medal, the highest international heating and air conditioning award.

Groff also served on the Scientific and Technology Council of the International Institute of Refrigeration as president of commissions concerned with air conditioning, heat pumps and energy recovery. He was named an honorary member of the IIR in 2007. He served as president and CEO of Marquardt Switches, Inc. from 1988 to 1999. Previously he was director of Carrier’s Corporate Research Laboratories and director of Solar Research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and received graduate degrees from Minnesota and Syracuse University.

Groff will receive the John James award on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas at the society’s semi-annual meeting. In 2010 he was awarded the F. Paul Anderson Medal, the Society’s highest award, for service to the profession and society.