Two members of RSES will participate in the ninth annual North American Technician Excellence Certified Technician Competition at HVAC Comfortech 2008 in Atlanta. The two RSES members include Ratib Baker, of the Chesapeake Chapter, Baltimore, and Greg Kristiansen, of the Southern Vermont Chapter, Rutland, Vermont. Baker of Electric Motor Repair, has more than 30 years of experience in the HVACR industry. He manages the refrigeration service department and assumes various daily responsibilities as well as teaches various classes. Kristiansen of GSK Climate Control, has worked full-time in the HVAC industry for 25 years. Kristiansen enjoys all aspects of the HVAC business including system design and troubleshooting.

The 2008 finalists were selected from thousands of HVAC technicians who took the NATE exam in 2007 and scored in the top 1% of the 22,000 tests given. These technicians will compete with five others selected from more than 200 semi-finalists in the HVAC industry. The competition will test the technological, systemic and mechanical knowledge required to install and service today’s heating and cooling equipment. During the competition, contestants will compete in a series of timed, hands-on events. Residential heating and cooling equipment and simulators will be rigged with specific problems that require contestants to demonstrate their problem-solving skills by analyzing, diagnosing and correcting a number of equipment and system malfunctions. The technician who has the most correct answers will be awarded the Top Tech title. If there is a tie between technicians, the technician with the shortest time will be awarded the Top Tech title, reveals the company’s press release.