Government Affairs

Ayo Daniel Abiola

Government Affairs Co-Chair

Informing and advising local policymakers on technical building standards, energy efficiency, and environmental policies to support the HVAC&R industry.

Ted Cooke</span

Government Affairs Co-Chair

Informing and advising local policymakers on technical building standards, energy efficiency, and environmental policies to support the HVAC&R industry.

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) serves as the vital link between our chapter, the local community, and government entities. Appointed by the Chapter President-Elect, this committee ensures that members stay informed about relevant public policy and civic affairs while actively promoting ASHRAE’s technical expertise to local and subnational governmental bodies. By driving positive interactions with policymakers and acting as a technical resource, the GAC helps shape a healthier, more sustainable built environment in our communities.

Core Responsibilites:

Member Information and Education

Provides up-to-date and relevant information to chapter members regarding government activities and public policy initiatives within their local communities.

Liaison and Communication

Keeps the local chapter, region, and Society Government Activities staff fully aligned and informed on local governmental actions and trends.

Information Dissemination and Feedback

Coordinates the distribution of government activities-related information to the membership and gathers feedback regarding individual and chapter-level civic efforts.

Tools and Training Facilitation

Utilizes and trains chapter members on advocacy tools available through the Society Government Affairs website, ensuring effective engagement in advancing ASHRAE’s public policy agenda.

Standards Adoption Clearinghouse

Acts as a central clearinghouse for tracking and documenting local government adoptions of ASHRAE-developed and endorsed codes, standards, guidelines, and position documents.

Technical Updates for Governments

Keeps local and subnational government officials updated on critical, objective technical issues impacting the built environment.

Civic Leadership Promotion

Encourages and promotes the appointment of qualified chapter members to local and subnational governmental advisory boards, committees, and bodies.

Performance Tracking (PAOE Reporting)

Monitors and reports the committee’s achievements by logging Presidential Award of Excellence (PAOE) points earned throughout the year.

Governmental Advisory and Regulation Support

Assists governmental bodies in writing regulations, codes, or ordinances, and provides technical testimony, strictly adhering to compliance standards (such as protecting tax-exempt status and coordinating with the ASHRAE Government Affairs Office).

Publicity and Historical Support

Collaborates with the Chapter Publicity Committee to engage local news media, and coordinates with the Chapter Historian to document the legacy of the chapter’s civic contributions.

Regional Alignment

Reports directly to the Regional Vice Chair (RVC) for Government Affairs and works collaboratively to fulfill overall Society objectives at the grassroots chapter level.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensures all participating members understand local regulatory limitations so that no advocacy or lobbying actions jeopardize the chapter’s or Society’s tax-exempt status.