The Arizona Chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association has recognized Carlos Ramirez of Ramirez Mechanical Systems, Inc. with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
   Ramirez, who recently retired from the SMACNA Arizona board of trustees after serving for more than 20 years on various committees and boards, was recognized for his contributions to the industry spanning the past 45 years.
   After founding Ramirez Mechanical Systems in 1985, the company became the 1997 Minority Contractor of the Year for Minority Enterprise Development week. In 1998 Ramirez was named Small Business Person of the Year for the Arizona District by the Small Business Administration and, in 2002, he was named Minority Subcontractor of the Year by the Associated Minority Contractors of America (Arizona Chapter).