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), has 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, Pennsylvania
Aiden Chestnut, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
Anthony Mahar, Vista College, Fort Smith, Arkansas 
Austin Reynolds, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania  
Bart Clement, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, Alaska
Charles Sweet, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, Colorado 
Christopher Biringer, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California 
Christopher Joseph, Milliken, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania  
Colby Buntin, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, Minnesota 
Collin Engler, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Bowling Green, Kentucky 
Emily Gavrilenko, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 
Henry Grills, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Harlan, Kentucky 
Jamie Lee, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa 
Jonnell Bailey, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, Georgia 
Jorge Kanlilar, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California 
Joshua Yadon, Moore Norman Technology Center, Norman, Oklahoma 
Joshua Kelsey, Monroe Community College - Applied Technologies Center, Rochester, New York
Justin Vazquez, Johnston Community College, Smithfield, North Carolina
Lisa Gragg, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, Colorado 
Luke Brambley, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania  
Matthew Mase, Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, Washington 
Maurice Sears, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California  
Meghan Bence, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 
Peter Bennett, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania  
Philip Blaylock, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, Alaska 
Rickey Gunby Jr., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, Georgia  
Robert Gardner, Sheridan Technical College, Hollywood, Florida 
Ruben Carreon, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas  
Sean Fitzpatrick, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California 
Tyler Fabish, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
Tyler Andersen, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa 

Veterans Program Recipients: 
Alejandro Lopez, San Joaquin Valley College, Temecula, California 
Eric Larson, InterCoast College, Fairfield, California 
Rene Avendano, South Texas College, McAllen, Texas 
Steven Layer, Fortis College, Centerville, Ohio
Tommy Juarez, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, California

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, visit www.reesscholarship.org/297.