The Last Dance: Presented to ACCA-NTX by Plano AC Repair Service Owner

(Plano AC Repair Service Owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat Co presented the following to the ACCA-NTX Board of Directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting.)

As things wrap up for the ACCA-NTX fiscal year I wanted to reflect on a few things.  The most important words I have to say to each of you reading this article: You need to make sure you thank the 2007 Board of Directors for the efforts they made on your behalf.  I can assure you that each Board member went above and beyond to volunteer their time to address a vast array of opportunities and challenges presented to them.  

This year in particular has required a lot of thoughtful consideration to insure all size contractors and their needs were considered when the new Technician Registration rules were written.  Keep in mind the overall Bill was written by the Texas Legislature.  But the actual proposed rules were written by TDLR then published for comment.   ACCA-NTX along with TACCA and other chapters met with TDLR to get revisions made to the final version of the rules.  While the final version may not be everything you or I want, keep in mind the original HVAC Contracting license rules were not either.  So if there is something you don’t like about the new law and its rules let the Board of Directors know and they will start the process of making proposed changes to present to the Texas Legislature when they meet again in 2009.

In addition to thanking our Board of Directors, we also need to thank the ACCA-NTX staff.  Rick Bousquet has done an incredible job!  Not only has he taken on the challenges of operating our chapter with a goal of a balanced budget, but has managed the chapter efficiently enough that we have been able to provide some very high profile speakers at our dinner meetings such as Dale Hanson this year and Jay Novachek in January 2008.  You should also know that Clark and Sabrina have also done a great  “behind the scene” job of supporting our chapter.

I recently attended part of the planning session for the 2008 Board of Directors and was very impressed by what Ben Stark and his Board has in the works for next year.  I urge you to get with Ben and the 2008 Board and let them know if there is anything they can do to make your membership more valuable.

I have truly enjoyed the time I spent as ACCA-NTX President in 2006 and Chairman in 2007.  The networking between Contractors and Associates has provided an endless resource of knowledge and ideas.  ACCA-NTX is one of the Best Chapters in the Nation.  I can assure you that the 2008 Board of Directors will continue to represent every member in a manner that will make us proud!

As I look over the horizon towards the future I see many challenges and opportunities facing our Industry.  The biggest challenge is how do you make sure your company does not become a “commodity”?  I truly feel this is a huge issue; mainly because commodities are purchased based on price.  A barrel of oil is a barrel of oil right?  Same with a service call or a wholesale jug of refrigerant?  The opportunity is what you do to connect to your customer in a way that you are no longer a commodity but instead a vital resource!  Our industry is faced with a shrinking workforce, higher fixed overhead costs, and increasing material costs but viewed in most cases as a commodity!  To make matters worse…new home construction is in a slump and that means more competition in the residential/commercial service and retrofit markets.  The answers to these challenges and opportunities are available.  I know that ACCA will be one of my life lines to find the answers!

Warmest Regards,

Steve

Plano AC Repair Service, Total Air and Heat, is owned by Steve Lauten, the second generation owner.  Founded in 1957 by Steve’s dad, Fred Lauten, Total Air and Heat is proud to have received some of the highest awards for quality and service that are offered in the Industry. Among those awards are the Readers Choice Awards from the Collin County Newspaper, the Trane Pacesetter Award in 2002, and designation as a Trane Comfort Specialist.