Alabama Power’s Joel Owen Receives Golden Toolbox Award

Recognized by NATE for Excellence in HVACR Industry

ARLINGTON, VA. – (September 16, 2008) – Rex Boynton, president of North American
Technician Excellence (NATE), and Michael Weil, editor-in-chief of Contracting Business magazine, recently presented the Golden Toolbox award to long-time heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry leader Joel Owen of Alabama Power (www.alabamapower.com/) at the Comfortech show in Atlanta, GA. The Golden Toolbox award, sponsored by NATE and Contracting Business, is awarded annually to an individual in the HVACR industry who has demonstrated exemplary service, support and advocacy for technician certification.

“The award specifically recognizes the accomplishments of those who work ‘in the field,’
whether it’s in manufacturing, the service industry or media,” said Boynton. “We clearly have a deserving recipient in Joel as he exemplifies the type of dedicated individual who makes this a more vibrant and professional industry.”

Owen’s career in the HVACR industry spans 32 years. He has earned eight technician
certifications along with an Alabama State Board of Heating and Air Conditioning contractor’s license. He is a certified residential mechanical ventilation instructor for HRAI of Canada and a member of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). In addition, he serves on: the Industry Competence Exam (ICE) committee; the ACCA Education Summit Subcommittee; the technical committee for NATE; and as a site evaluator for The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation. He also serves as Chairperson of the Technical Committee for the HVACR SkillsUSA State of Alabama competition.

“I’m very honored that my peers would bestow this award on me,” says Owen. “It’s a real privilege to continue to play a role in promoting education, certification and professionalism in the heating, cooling and refrigeration industry.”

About North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
Headquartered in Arlington, Va., NATE was founded in 1997 as the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.

NATE tests technicians while others train. Testing validates the technician's knowledge and a training program's instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests. Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in nine specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating, oil heating, hydronic gas, hydronic oil, and commercial and light commercial refrigeration.