A New Era for the Geothermal Heat Pump Industry
The following message is from our new partners at IGSHPA. GeoExchange is excited to work closely with IGSHPA, its members, and leadership to forge a path forward for the geothermal heat pump industry.
Dear IGSHPA Members and Accredited/Certified Professionals,
Thank you for your past support of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. Your membership and involvement in IGSHPA have been central to the advancement of our industry. We are excited to update you on a new chapter in the evolution of the organization and the geothermal heat pump industry.
Following Oklahoma State University’s decision last year to dissolve IGSHPA’s Board of Directors, a process began to pursue a new home for IGSHPA. In June, the OSU Board of Regents voted to approve a transfer of IGSHPA, its intellectual property, and assets to the control of the Geothermal Exchange Organization. While GEO will exercise some limited oversight of governance and financial solvency, the new IGSHPA will be functionally and operationally independent.
Our inaugural Board of Directors represents a diverse array of backgrounds and skillsets. This diversity in roles and expertise is a foundational element that will drive and inform the IGSHPA mission going forward. Here are the new IGSHPA Board Members:
Chairwoman Kortney Lull – Mrs. Lull is the Vice President for Midwest Geothermal, a closed loop geothermal installation contractor, that serves clients across the country with their ground loop installation needs. She has been with Midwest Geothermal from the beginning, has been integrally involved with their continued growth, and looks forward to continuing to support the geothermal industry across the country. She assists their customers and clients not only with the installation of the exterior ground loop, but acts as a steward for the industry, offering learning opportunities for architects, engineers, construction managers and homeowners.
Kortney has been a member of IGSHPA for eight years and is passionate about ensuring that IGHSPA is an association dedicated to its members and the market while ensuring that the organization offers the support the industry needs. Mrs. Lull is currently a member of IGSHPA, CaliforniaGEO, and a board member of the Michigan Geothermal Energy Association.
Vice-Chairman Tim Wright – Mr. Wright is the Vice President of Sales for Enertech Global and has been with the company since 2011. He oversees the company’s Customer Solutions, Commercial & Residential Sales departments. He began his career in the geothermal industry in 1988, selling geothermal to home owners and builders. Tim has been working to inform homeowners, builders, architects, developers & engineers on the technology, along with the HVAC contractors and distributors. Tim currently serves on the board of directors for CaliforniaGEO and the Virginia Geothermal Heat Pump Association. Tim and his family reside in Ringgold, Georgia.
Director Darrin Beller – Mr. Beller is the president of Air Products Supply, a wholesale distributor and commercial manufacturers’ representative that specializes in geothermal heat pump technology and is located in central Oklahoma. In his 12 years at Air Products Supply, he has assisted in growing the geothermal market in the company’s territory by offering a full line of geothermal equipment and accessories as well as design, application, and post-sale assistance to residential contractors and mechanical engineers. Prior to Air Products Supply, he worked at his family-owned mechanical contracting company for nearly 15 years. He has been involved with geothermal design, sales, and service on turnkey geothermal projects including geothermal drilling and associated piping.
Director Jason Cullum – Mr. Cullum is a third-generation business owner and is currently the Vice President of Ground Loop Heating and Air Conditioning, located in the mid-Atlantic region. He grew up in the residential and light commercial geothermal industry and has experience in design, installation, sales, service, as well as different loop layouts, vertical, horizontal, and horizontal boring. He is currently certified in pipe fusion, equipment service and installation, and is an IGSHPA Certified Geothermal Inspector. He is also the Vice President of the Maryland Geothermal Association. Jason lives with his wife and two children near Baltimore.
Director Brian Urlaub – Mr. Urlaub is the Director of Geothermal Operations for MEP Associates where he oversees all geothermal projects. He is involved with all aspects of the projects from procurement, to
design, project management, and commissioning. He graduated in 1993 with an associate degree in HVAC Technology and Design from Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI. Mr. Urlaub started out his career in the field, installing and servicing all different types of HVAC systems. In 1996 he moved to inside sales and design, and was introduced to his first IGSHPA geothermal course. He has
been dedicated solely to the geothermal industry since 1999.
His current job as Director of Geothermal Operations includes such duties as working with mechanical engineers on energy efficient designs, mechanical contractors on installations, drilling contractors on geothermal loop field installations, and Architects on better understanding of geothermal technology and implementation of innovative geothermal systems.
As Chairwoman, I am honored to serve with my fellow Board Members and help lead this association in a member-focused, consensus-based manner. One of the first tasks of the Board of Directors will be to establish various working committees. These committees will be tasked with updating training, developing standards, and engaging membership among many other objectives.
All IGSHPA members and IGSHPA-accredited professionals who were set to renew their memberships or accreditations in 2019 or 2020 will be granted a 90-day grace period from the date of this email to renew without interruption in their member services. Please contact Gail Ezepek at gail@igshpa.org or (405) 744-5175 to process your renewal.
I would like to thank the staff and leadership teams of GEO and OSU for the hard work they’ve undertaken to get us to this point. During the first months of this transition period, please direct any questions to info@igshpa.org. Staff will be monitoring this account and will respond to your questions in a timely fashion.
I hope you’ll join us as we build upon the accomplishments of the past and set a new course for the continued growth and success of our industry.
Sincerely,
Kortney Lull
Chairwoman, IGSHPA Board of Directors