Newsletter
January 2026 
Monthly Newsletter
December finished with one of the most anticipated nights of the year: the 2025 ASHRAE North Piedmont Christmas Party, held Wednesday, December 17 at The Clubhouse
The event leaned into the season in the best way—members and guests gathered to socialize, enjoy the venue’s activities, and celebrate the year alongside ASHRAE colleagues.
It also kept a clear purpose in focus: the Christmas Party served as the chapter’s primary Research Promotion fundraiser for the society year, anchored by a Live Auction.
The night worked because a lot of pieces came together: donated auction items, sponsors and supporters stepping up again, and members simply showing up ready to participate.
By month’s end, the chapter had not only closed the calendar year with a memorable gathering—it also strengthened RP momentum heading into the new year.
Monthly Newsletter
November balanced professional development with a strong Research Promotion push, and both events brought members together in meaningful ways.
On Wednesday, November 12 the chapter gathered at Landmark Builders for a program led by Dr. David Cross, Director of Career & Technical Education for Randolph County Schools.
The presentation focused on CTE Internship, a work-based learning course that placed students in real workplaces aligned with interests and goals—linking jobsite experience back to classroom learning and structured reflection.
The meeting was a strong reminder that our industry pipeline isn’t automatic; it’s built intentionally, one partnership and one student opportunity at a time.
Later in the month, we shifted gears to fundraising on Friday, November 21 at Shane’s Sporting Clays for the 5th Annual Fall Sporting Clays RP Event.
North Piedmont
Teams (and individuals matched into groups) competed for best team and individual scores, with the event explicitly tied to supporting our Research Promotion goals.
By the end of November, the chapter had done two important things well: supported the next generation entering the trades and profession, and reinforced the “why” behind RP—investing in the research that keeps our industry moving forward.
Monthly Newsletter
October was a full month for the chapter—equal parts student engagement, technical learning, and fundraising/networking.
We kicked things off on Thursday, October 2 with a Student Emphasis meeting at NC A&T featuring a dinner program on Geothermal/Ground-Source Heat Pumps, presented by David Pleasants.
Mid-month, we met at Hoffman & Hoffman on Tuesday, October 14 for a timely session on healthcare water systems and the practical reality of water risk management planning, anchored in newer ASHRAE standards (including 188 and 514) and related guidance used in healthcare environments.
The program emphasized why formal water management programs matter, what “good” looks like, and how these programs supported compliance expectations while protecting patients, visitors, and staff.
North Piedmont
We wrapped October outdoors with Fall Golf at Bryan Park (Champions Course) on Thursday, October 23 (8:30 AM–1:00 PM).
The outing included warm-up time, breakfast and registration, and a shotgun start, with prizes for team flights and classic on-course competitions.
It was a great end-of-month reminder that chapter events could build relationships just as effectively as they built technical skills.
Monthly Newsletter
September ended with a program that hit right where many of us live day-to-day: How do we define performance—and then actually improve it? Our chapter meeting, “Improving Building Performance”, was held on Wednesday, September 17 at Brady Trane.
The session focused on the characteristics of high-performing buildings, emphasizing how performance is identified, tracked, and measured over time. Beyond definitions, the discussion reinforced the “next step” mindset—using analysis tools and structured approaches to uncover operational opportunities and prioritize the measures that actually move the needle.
Attendees also benefited from the perspective of Thomas Phoenix, whose background spans decades in A/E practice and long-term involvement in ASHRAE at the Society level, along with deep experience in building mechanical and energy systems across multiple facility types.
By month’s end, the meeting had left members with a simple, useful reminder: building performance work succeeds when metrics are clear, baselines are understood, and improvement ideas are tested with discipline—not just enthusiasm.
Monthly Newsletter
August closed out with the North Piedmont Chapter at the center of the Region, as we hosted the 2025 ASHRAE Region IV Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) at the Grandover Resort & Conference Center in Greensboro.
Over the three-day conference (August 14–16), the week moved fast—in the best way. Registration and events ran throughout the weekend, with a full slate that included chapter business, caucus sessions, workshops, and opportunities to connect with peers from across Region IV.
The conference also blended technical value with true “CRC fun”: a golf outing on Thursday afternoon and a big kickoff Welcome Party that leaned all the way into a 1970s disco theme.
Friday afternoon was especially strong for education, featuring multiple professional development sessions (with CEU/PDH opportunities) that covered IAQ, retrofit decarbonization, and engineering ethics.
Companion tours and hospitality elements helped round out the experience, and Research Promotion received a boost through on-site fundraising efforts. Most importantly, the event showcased what makes this chapter special: welcoming energy, strong volunteer support, and the ability to bring people together around both technical excellence and community.
Disclaimer:
This site is maintained by the North Piedmont Chapter Webmaster. ASHRAE uses its best efforts to promulgate Standards and Guidelines for the benefit of the public in light of available information and accepted industry practices. However, ASHRAE does not guarantee, certify, or assure the safety or performance of any products, components, or systems tested, installed or operated in accordance with ASHRAE's Standards or Guidelines or that any tests conducted under its Standards or Guidelines will be non-hazardous or free from risk.
This web site is maintained by the North Piedmont Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE). It does not present official positions of the Society nor reflect Society policy. ASHRAE chapters may not act for the Society and the information presented here has not had Society review. To learn more about ASHRAE activities on an international level, contact the ASHRAE home page at http://www.ashrae.org.