Welcome back from the summer to the 2016-2017 ASHRAE year. We have many tremendous programs planned for this year. In light of all the work the Board of Governors does to keep the chapter running, I would like to thank a couple of recent BOG members. As Seneca said “Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long.” We must appreciate all the time that these two individuals invested in running the chapter during a drought in chapter leadership.

Morgan Royce just finished a two year stint as the Research Promotion chair. He raised over $15,000 for ASHRAE to invest in new research. Joe Higham just finished two years where he was the defacto president. He ran the chapter with adroitness and to great regional acclaim. His second year as President was the first year since 2011 where the chapter accomplished the regionally set PAOE goals. Thank you both for your enormous contributions.

In order for no volunteer to ever be asked commit to the extra time which Morgan and Joe gave to the chapter, we will be on a concerted Board of Governors recruitment campaign this year.

This space will serve as a series of points on the varied ways which you can be more involved in ASHRAE. My main ask: read the newsletter and sign up for events. As a first step to encourage this participation, anyone who contacts me with suggestions on how to better the chapter before the first meeting will receive entrance to a chapter meeting of their choosing this year paid by me. Feel free to e-mail me at stephen.forner@trane.com with your thoughts and suggestions for the year.

Regards,
Stephen Forner 
NM ASHRAE President
2016-2017