IHEA Announces 2021-22 Board of Directors and Officers

IHEA board of directors, 2021-22

The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) (Independence, Ky.) recently gathered for its annual meeting in St. Pete Beach, FL, where the National Board of Directors and Executive Officers met in person. Scott Bishop of Alabama Power – a Southern Company serves as president; Jeff Valuck of Surface Combustion as vice president; Brian Kelly of Honeywell Thermal Solutions as treasurer and Michael Stowe of Advanced Energy serves as past president.

Jason Safarz returns to the IHEA Board of Directors as a regional sales manager with Karl Dungs, Inc.  Jason has over 20 years in the combustion industry, holding various sales and marketing management, global key account management, and engineering roles throughout the years.  In addition, Jason has extensive knowledge of international safety standards and codes across multiple industries and industrial and commercial processes and holds committee leadership positions in several industry groups. Jason earned bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering (focus on combustion/thermodynamics/heat transfer) from Cleveland State University and in physics from Baldwin Wallace University. 

IHEA also welcomes a new face to the Board of Directors, Jeff Rafter.  Rafter began his career at Maxon Corporation, where he held various positions including sales, research and development, and global marketing. He moved into business development with Kohler Co. and then served as director of industrial services at Rexnord. Jeff is now the vice president of sales and marketing with Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC.  

Continuing their service for 2021 - 2022: Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers; Alberto Cantu, Nutec Bickley; Bob Fincken, Super Systems, Inc.; Doug Glenn, Heat Treat Today; Francis Liebens, SOLO Swiss Group; John Podach, Fostoria Infrared; and John Stanley, Karl Dungs, Inc.

In addition, IHEA is equally pleased to note the dedication and service of all members who serve on IHEA Committees and Divisions. Special acknowledgment goes to the current committee chairpersons: Government Relations Committee led by Jeff Valuck, Surface Combustion, Inc.; Safety Standards and Codes Committee led by Kevin Carlisle, Karl Dungs, Inc.; Education Committee led by Brian Kelly, Honeywell Thermal Solutions; Marketing Communication & Membership Committee led by Erik Klingerman, Industrial Heating Magazine. The Infrared Division is chaired by Scott Bishop, Alabama Power – a Southern Company; and the Induction Division is chaired by Michael Stowe, Advanced Energy.