The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today announced the appointment of John Lanier to be Chief Operating Officer of North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Lanier will report to AHRI President & CEO Stephen Yurek. As COO, Lanier will plan, direct, and coordinate the operations of NATE, managing daily operations and executing full responsibility for, and oversight of, all of NATE’s programs.
Prior to joining the NATE team, Lanier held a variety of executive leadership roles, most notably as Senior Vice President of Operations at the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest independent business association, with more than 400,000 members. Throughout his career, Lanier has gained valuable experience in operations, sales, member benefits, human resources, and information technology.
“We're very pleased to have someone with John’s experience and drive taking the reins at NATE,” Yurek says. “I know that our member companies and others in our industry are eager to work with John to ensure growth and progress at NATE at a critical juncture in its history,” he added.
NATE Chairman Don Frendberg said he is looking forward to working with Lanier.
“I am excited to have John on board. I know that with his knowledge and experience, NATE will experience continued growth and can, under his leadership, further develop of our role in providing world class HVACR and water heating technician certification,” Frendberg says.
Lanier earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics at the University of Minnesota, has completed an executive education program at the Kellogg School of Management, and is pursuing his MBA. He resides in Arlington, VA with his wife, Samantha, and their sons, John and Ethan.