Members of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association approved the merger of the two trade associations. The merged association became the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute on Jan. 1, 2008, headquartered in Arlington, Va.

Johnson Controls Vice President C. David Myers was named chairman.

Other executive appointments are: CEO Jack Klimp; President Stephen Yurek; Executive Vice President Mark Menzer; Sr. Vice President Warren Parker; General Counsel Joseph Mattingly; Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Murphy.

The first AHRI Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 16-18, 2008, at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, Calif.