Your Board Members
Mitch Adams, President
I first learned about ASHRAE as a newcomer to the HVAC industry in 2014. Through my career since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of different types of buildings and in many different roles within the consulting side of the industry, seeing first-hand the value that ASHRAE provides. Currently with Reinbold Engineering, I’ve also gained an appreciation for the diverse systems and design practices in the industry.
Stepping into the role of Chapter President, I’m excited to apply my experience on the Board to help make the Southern Alberta Chapter the most successful Chapter it can be!
Brett Banadyga, President-Elect
I was born and raised in Regina, SK, where I attended the University of Regina and received a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering. While at the U of R, I co-founded the ASHRAE Student Branch and served as president for the inaugural year, and have been a dedicated contributor to ASHRAE ever since. In 2019 I moved to Calgary to join AME Group.
This will be my 7th year on the BOG and I am excited to take on the role of president elect. We believe that we have a great year planned out for our dedicated members to enhance their education and connection with industry colleagues. Looking forward to connecting at chapter meetings!
Nicholas Mueller, Vice-President
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. I attended SAIT where I received my Mechanical Engineering Technologist Diploma. I worked in HVAC Manufacturing before branching off and joining the consulting side of the industry where I have found a passion for energy conscious design and collaboration with my peers.
This will be my 4th year on the board and now serving as Vice president I am excited to serve the chapter and bring some great events to our members to further their education and connection in the industry with likeminded peers!
Nikhil Amin, Secretary/Treasurer
I was born and raised in Calgary (not all that common these days!). My journey with ASHRAE began in my final year as a Mechanical Engineering student at the U of C. It has been a great opportunity for my personal and professional life, and I am glad to be a part of the community. Currently I am the YEA Chair, and it has been a great experience getting many like-minded individuals together and help them grow. I am really looking forward to the coming year, it should be great fun!
Ian Peters, CTTC Chair
I grew up in rural Saskatchewan and completed post-secondary at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon. After graduating in 2014, I moved to Calgary for what was supposed to be one year of ‘workplace training’ at an engineering firm before I would return to the flatland. After that year I decided I liked mountains more than fields and decided to stay. I’ve worked on a variety of projects in mechanical consulting, though most have been institutional, educational, and healthcare facilities. I’ve been a member of ASHRAE for several years, but this is my first year on the board.
Ian MacIntyre, CTTC Co-Chair
Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, I moved to Alberta after completing my university studies in 2012. After earning my MBA, I joined Victaulic in 2018, where I've actively participated in ASHRAE events and expanded my experience with commercial HVAC. Today, I work closely with engineers and property owners in the HVAC sector.
As a first-time board member, I’m excited to serve as the CTTC co-chair. My goal is to facilitate meaningful and relevant technical programs and events, oversee technology transfer, and promote awards programs and recognition.
Jared Sowiak, CTTC Co-Chair
A proud Prairie native, I grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, before relocating to Winnipeg to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manitoba. Since entering the HVAC industry, I have worked across a variety of Canadian markets and remained actively involved with ASHRAE through the Winnipeg, Toronto, and Calgary chapters.
As a member of the CTTC team, I am excited to contribute to the development of high-quality technical programs and events that support and strengthen Calgary’s HVAC community.
Dana Heller, Historian
After graduating with a Wildlife Biology degree from UC Davis, the next logical step was to open an HVAC rep firm in Calgary. My father is the real reason I got into this line of work, and the best piece of advice he gave me was "Join ASHRAE”, so here I am and I have been a member of SAC since 2010. I am proud to be serving as the History Chair again this year and look forward to talking to many of you about your experiences with ASHRAE, and about this year’s Presidential Vision of healthier buildings, and how we can balance energy efficiency with good IEQ.
Annamaris Olmo Velazquez, Diversity in ASHRAE Chair
Annamaris is a passionate and accomplished engineer with over 10 years of experience, specializing in fluid mechanics and nuclear physics. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, most notably the prestigious Izaak Walton Killam Doctoral Scholarship, awarded for outstanding research and leadership at the PhD level.
She has been featured in publications by the University of Calgary and the Government of Canada, highlighting her academic excellence and research contributions.
Josh Hogan, Research Promotion Chair
Having been born and raised in Calgary, I embarked on my ASHRAE journey in 2020, and it has been an educational and enriching experience ever since. With four years of valuable industry exposure, I am thrilled to embrace my first year as the chair of ASHRAE's Research & Promotion on the committee. I am looking forward to the opportunity to connect with fresh faces and make new relationships within our ASHRAE community this year.
Long Tran, Research Promotion Co-Chair
I was born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U of Calgary in 2023 and became an ASHRAE member the same year as I started my journey in the HVAC&R field with Aqua Air. I got to connect with many great people in the industry throughout the years I went to ASHRAE events. I am looking forward to contributing to ASHRAE SAC as the research & promotion co-chair.
Edwin Liou, Student Activities
I was born in Taiwan, raised in Vancouver, and graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BaSC in Mechanical Engineering. During school, I had the opportunity to intern at various organizations ranging from particle physics research to making ATM’s.
I began my career working for an engineering consulting company (Chorley + Bisset) in London. In 2013, I came to Calgary and worked at Spartan Controls with a focus on the power, chemical, pipeline, and upstream oil & gas industries. I am now the Regional Manager for Air Mission Critical as well as O’Dell HVAC. I’m very much looking forward to contributing to ASHRAE SAC as the student activities chair.
Amrit Mahendraraiah, Student Activities
I am a Project Coordinator at Modern Niagara and the Student Activities Co-Chair at ASHRAE. I graduated with a degree in Engineering from the University of Calgary, and I am passionate about raising student awareness in the HVAC industry. In my role, I actively engage with educational initiatives to inspire the next generation of professionals. I believe that nurturing curiosity and knowledge in students is essential for the future of HVAC, and I’m eager to make a lasting impact through mentorship and community involvement.
Spencer Branscombe, YEA Chair
I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, where I attended SAIT and received a Diploma in Engineering Design and Drafting Technology. After graduating, I quickly began my career with a mechanical engineering consulting firm, where I gained valuable experience and developed a strong foundation in the mechanical engineering industry. I am now working as a Mechanical Designer and Engineering Technologist with AME Consulting Group.
I am passionate about collaboration, working toward a common goal, and contributing to the success of the teams and organizations I am involved with. I am very detail-oriented and enjoy working with others, building relationships, and continuing to develop my skills.
This is my second year serving on the ASHRAE Southern Alberta Chapter Board, and I am excited to continue learning and contributing to ASHRAE. Most importantly, I look forward to connecting with and learning from the great people who make up the Southern Alberta Chapter.
Erich Binder, Sustainable Communities Chair
I have been involved in numerous ASHRAE Sustainable Community Projects over my years in ASHRAE.
The first was in 2012 in support of Past Society President Tom Watsons presidential initiative to start the Society ASHRAE Sustainable Community Committee and have been involved in every SAC project since.
Matthew Theriault, YEA Co-Chair
I was born and raised in Calgary and have built my career with a strong foundation in both leadership and technical skills. My academic path took me through SAIT and the University of Calgary, and I now work with AME Group. This years my 11th year service on the board, and I’m excited to continue applying my experience to bring value to our members. I always look forward to connecting with both new and familiar faces within ASHRAE.
As outdoing President, I have decided to stay on the board and help with the Young Engineers in ASHRAE committee - stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Raymond Nattress, Sustainable Communities Chair
Born in Ontario and studied at St. Francis Xavier in Nova Scotia, before moving to Alberta in 2008.
I have been a member of SAC-ASHRAE since I started in the industry 15 years ago. I’ve since had the fortunate opportunity to run alongside Erich, working on the last handful of the Sustainable Community projects. I look forward to working with local consultants, contractors, suppliers and ASHRAE members to support the upcoming SAC Sustainable Communities projects in 2026-2027.
Jack Sreekumar, Membership Promotion Chair
In this role, I am focused on encouraging connections, monitoring demographics, creating opportunities for professional development and networking, and encouraging engineers and industry professionals to become more involved with ASHRAE. I believe that professional organizations play an important role in sharing knowledge, fostering mentorship, and helping the next generation of engineers grow.
I am passionate about contributing to the HVAC&R community and helping create a more connected and engaged ASHRAE chapter
Kyle Shummoogum, Webmaster & Curling Bonspiel Chair
I was born and raised in Calgary with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the U of C with Internship. I have worked in manufacturing, design, automation and equipment sales over my many years in the industry. I have a passion for Green Initiatives and Energy Efficiency. Currently I run the Alberta Office for HVAC Systems & Solutions.
During my long tenure with the Board, I have been re-signed as Webmaster and Curling Bonspiel Chair. If you have any complaints about the site, please direct them to the President. Any compliments can be directed to me. Stay tuned for info on the 2027 Annual Curling Bonspiel!
Kevin McIntyre, Government Affairs
With a background in Mechanical Engineering Technology from SAIT and experience in both industrial controls and commercial HVAC, I have valued ASHRAE’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and industry advancement throughout my career. Following my term as President, I am now entering my second year as Government Affairs Chair. Building on the foundations built over the past year, I look forward to further deepening our chapter’s engagement with policy makers, advancing our advocacy for sustainable industry practices, and continuing to ensure our community remains highly informed and proactive regarding evolving regulations and initiatives.
Rick Westover, Government Affairs
I was born and raised in Edmonton and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U of A in 2012. I started working in the oil & gas sector, but in 2013 I moved to Calgary to dive into the world of HVAC&R with Aqua Air and I have not looked back. I started on the SAC ASHRAE BOG in 2017 and was Chapter President in 2022-23.
I’m excited to be back on the board this year to help with Government Affairs outreach and expand the ASHRAE community.
George Niksic, Government Affairs
I was born in Toronto Ontario, my family moved west in 1975, Calgary has been home since. I graduated from S.A.I.T. with a Diploma in HVAC Design. I spent a little over a decade in custom air handling design and manufacturing before leaving the industry for Senior Management roles in the electrical and contracting fields. HVAC was always my passion, I jumped at the opportunity to return to the industry with Aqua Air in a Business Development role.
I am excited to be involved in ASHRAE as the RP Chair and I look forward to seeing everyone at our meeting and events.