HPAC On The Air

ASHRAE's new president, engineer Sarah E. Maston, PE, BCxP, LEED AP, has hit the ground running this summer and fall, traveling all over the world to visit international chapters and promote her Presidential theme: "Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience."

The outreach also includes a new problem-solving, online game, 'HVAC Hero.' designed to engage aspiring engineering students. Here, Maston joined HPAC On The Air from Germany, pausing to discuss all of these efforts, and more, as well as the growing influence of... you guessed it... artificial intelligence! 

As Hutton prepares to pass the torch next month at ASPE's annual conference in Oklahoma City, the visionary engineer reflects on two years of exponential change in the industry. "Codes can't keep up with the technology," he notes. But he is "really excited" to see ASPE members, both young and old, rising to the challenges of today.

EDITOR'S NOTES: Our New York-born editor recalls being in Washington DC on that fateful morning 25 years ago. He will never forget what he saw or how he felt on 9/11, as history seemed to rewrite itself every hour. This short audio essay also takes a look back on the shocked engineering community's reaction to this world-changing moment.

Online 'security fanatic' Nick Espinosa returns to HPAC On The Air with a sobering and compelling update on the accelerating explosion of AI and machine learning, and what engineers and contractors can do to protect their businesses. 

Bottom line: Assess your firm's vulnerabilities ASAP. And don't put it off! 

EDITOR'S NOTE: From wildfires and data centers to A.I. and IEQ, engineers have that rare opportunity in today's complex society to actually be part of the solution.

The executive director of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) sits down to tell us how the boiler industry is handling new technologies, pushing for broader certifications and recruiting its next generation of inspectors.

HPAC On The Air welcomes Elise Kiland, Liz Jedrlinic, and Drew Samuels, the top three leaders of Young Engineers in ASHRAE. Join us for this lively discussion of the unprecedented challenges and opportunities now facing our industry's next generation as they navigate truly extraordinary times both nationally and globally. 

As we approach this momentous 4th of July at this extraordinarily fractious time, let us rededicate ourselves to serving this industry, and each other, with "integrity, civility, and courage." And let the problem-solving collaboration that is the hallmark of our industry help ALL of our neighbors to find common ground and common purpose.

Lots are going on this spring at the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA), and President and CEO Scott Lynch returns to 'HPAC On The Air' to update us on all of them. From BOILER Expo 2026, held earlier this spring in Nashville, to ABMA's new online Resource Center and its fascinating new History Timeline, Lynch conveys at least some of the energy driving the growing international organization in 2026.

As global conflicts and domestic political dysfunction continue to roil markets with tariffs, inflation and overall uncertainty, industry economists still see strength and resilience among the chaos. But for how long?