ACCA, the Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association, honored James "Jim" Isaac, of Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Rochester, New York, with the inaugural Skip Snyder Humanitarian Award. The award was presented as part of the opening session at ACCA 2014, which took place in Nashville, TN, March 17-19, 2014.
"Skip was an iconic leader with a unique passion for life, service to country and profession," said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. "You never regretted spending time with Skip, because you learned, laughed, and became a better person being in his company. When selecting the first person to receive this award, Jim Isaac immediately came to mind. He has given so much back to his community through his extraordinary service and lifelong involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Jim's selfless humanitarian work and keen business expertise made him an ideal candidate and there is no one more deserving than him to be the first to receive this honor."
Isaac, whose company was the winner of Contracting Business.com's 2002 Residential Contractor of the Year Award, and who was also inducted into the Contractng Business Contractor Hall of Fame, says, "There is a saying that I have identified with all of my business life which is 'If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life.' This truism has sustained my involvement with Habitat for Humanity over the past 26 years.
"Quite simply I love this industry and mostly my on the job experiences, especially working with the tools. Habitat gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my talent while providing meaningful service for a wonderful organization and appreciative homeowners."
The Skip Snyder Humanitarian Award was established by ACCA in memory of Skip Snyder, a past national chairman of both ACCA and NATE, who passed away in the fall of 2013. The award will be given in the future to recognize an ACCA member who has made extraordinary contributions to the betterment of society and community. It is a tribute that defines Skip's remarkable character and his philosophy of life – helping, caring, and sharing with others.