HVAC owner named to national industry board

LOUDON — More than three decades after starting Lakes Region Heating & Air Conditioning, Eric Grennell is taking on a new role representing contractors like himself on the national level.

Grennell, president of Lakes Region Heating & Air Conditioning in Loudon, has been elected to the board of directors of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, a national organization representing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors.

For Grennell, the appointment is an opportunity to bring the perspective of independent contractors to conversations about an industry that he says is increasingly affected by mergers, acquisitions and consolidation.

“I’ve always tried to be the voice of the little guy — the small, local contractor trying to compete and succeed,” Grennell said. “That perspective is something I’m proud to bring to the ACCA Board because I believe the small contractor is the backbone of this industry, and I want to continue working to make sure all the voices are heard and all interests are represented.”

Grennell has been an ACCA member for approximately 15 years and currently co-chairs the organization’s Membership Growth Committee. He also serves on several ACCA task forces and previously served on its Radiant and Hydronics Council.

He has attended ACCA conferences, advocacy events and other national programs and worked with the organization on issues including industry standards, workforce shortages and technical education before being elected to the board.

ACCA announced Grennell’s election Sept. 14 alongside Paul Adams, founder and executive chairman of Columbia Home Services in Irving, Texas. The appointment comes during a milestone year for Grennell and LRHAC.

In June, the company celebrated the opening of its new commercial location at the corner of Routes 106 and 129 in Loudon after operating for roughly two decades in Northfield. The move gave the company greater visibility, highway access, storage space and room for future expansion.

Grennell, a Gilford resident, founded Lakes Region Heating & Air Conditioning in 1992. What began as a one-man operation in Belmont has since grown into a regional company employing approximately 25 people. Several employees have remained with the company for more than 20 years.

For more information, visit acca.org.