AHRI President Yurek Announces Retirement
Key Highlights
- Yurek has served as AHRI’s President and CEO since 2006, guiding the organization through significant growth and global expansion;
- He led the 2008 merger of ARI and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, unifying the HVACR and water heating industry under one group;
- Under his leadership, AHRI established regional offices in Canada, India, China, and other regions, strengthening global standards and certification programs.
- Yurek’s tenure has been marked by advocacy efforts in Washington and worldwide, promoting industry interests and environmental stewardship.
- The organization is actively seeking a new leader to continue Yurek’s legacy and further advance AHRI’s mission.
Arlington, VA, June 4, 2026 — The Board of Directors of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today announced that President and CEO Stephen Yurek will retire in 2027, on a date to be determined.
Yurek joined the then-Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) in 2002 as the association’s General Counsel and Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs, before being promoted to President in 2006.
Yurek’s impact on AHRI and the global industry has been noteworthy and sustained. He oversaw the 2008 merger of ARI and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, which united all the aspects of the HVACR and water heating industry under one global organization whose members manufacture more than 75 percent of all residential and commercial central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, and commercial refrigeration equipment produced and installed worldwide.
During Yurek’s tenure, AHRI became a truly global association, establishing offices in Canada, India, China, and across the LATAM, ASEAN, and MENA regions, advocating for the industry and promoting and strengthening AHRI’s global standards and equipment certification programs around the world.
“Steve Yurek’s contributions to our association and our industry have been transformational and have established AHRI as the definitive voice for its members and the industry in all corners of the globe,” said AHRI’s 2026 Board Chairman Mike Branson of Rheem Manufacturing Company. “In addition to advancing AHRI’s mission of advocacy, analytics, standards, and certification, Steve’s foresight in establishing regional offices and promoting AHRI’s standards and certification programs around the world, while advocating for and protecting our industry’s interests in Washington and in the states, has greatly enhanced the stature and reach of our industry. He leaves a legacy of strength, commitment, and environmental stewardship that well positions our industry for the future,” he added.
The AHRI Board of Directors has enlisted the help of a search firm to identify suitable candidates to lead the association into the future. Additional details will be forthcoming.
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The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 300+ member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.