The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association said Mar. 4 that Gerry Kennedy had been named the new executive vice president of PHCC. 
   Kennedy, who has served as interim executive vice president since Jan. 28, has been the PHCC vice president of education and chief operating officer for the PHCC Educational Foundation for the past 12 years.

   “PHCC wants to head in a new direction and become an even more recognized leader in the plumbing and HVACR industry,” said PHCC-NA president Skip Pfeffer. “We believe that Gerry’s experience and knowledge, particularly in membership development, chapter relations and education, are well suited for leading us toward our goal.”

   After a career as a college and university professor, administrator and dean, Kennedy became an association executive in 1982, doing work with a variety of educational programs, development of state and local chapters, strategic planning and fundraising. He is currently is vice president of the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation, a member of the Board of Trustees for North American Technician Excellence, and chairman of the Education Committee for the HVACR Industry Alliance.

   “I look forward to embarking on this expanded role within PHCC,” Kennedy said. “When the Board of Directors meets in April, [PHCC-NA] will initiate a multi-month strategic planning process that will set the direction for the association to provide plumbing and HVACR contractors and their employees with the support they need in this ‘new’ economy.”