POWERGRAMS

PROFILE Training analyst at HVAC Center heads CARE group J amie Price says he owes his successful 33-year career to being in the right place at the right time. The training analyst got his instructing start in 1997 after asking for an air-conditioning part by name and number, which impressed a parts house manager who needed a knowledgeable employee. Price accepted an immediate job offer and has never left the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) field. Today, Price is president of the Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigerator Educators (CARE), a national organization dedicated to Price outside HVAC Center next to Mitchell Dam. HVAC expertise. He is in Price came to the company via the partnership his third year as an Alabama route, having met Owens and former employees Power employee, working at Mitchell Dam in the Curtis Rhone and Mike Fomby as a field service HVAC Training Center. representative for M&A Supply Co. of Nashville. "I enjoy trying to make people smarter than I was During 14 years traveling a seven-state circuit for because I don't want them to learn the hard way," M&A, Price frequented the HVAC Center by said Price, a master gas fitter and plumber who holds invitation to help with skills competitions. Early in many certifications. "I think teaching is what I was his career, Price took classes at the center. meant to do, but I'm still a technician at heart." Now, Price becomes the second Alabama Price believes the HVAC Center is one of the Power employee to lead CARE in the past three company's best-kept secrets, with more than 1,200 administrations, taking over from Mingledorff Inc.'s visitors annually traveling to Verbena from across Harold Nelson, who had followed Owen as national the country president. Price, a Hueytown native and resident, and around the was elected in April at the convention in Colorado world to learn Springs, Colo. CARE was founded in 1998. the latest in "It's exciting to be a part of CARE," he said. "With technology and Joel's help I am learning about CARE and its impact safety. on educators." The HVAC Price said the CARE board of directors is Center is intentionally populated with representatives from housed HVAC staff, from left, is Price, Owen, all HVAC areas as well as members from each in the old Gina LeCroy, Jenkins and Cunningham. of the four levels of education. He is the board construction representative for utilities. office remaining from renovations to Mitchell Dam "We try to cover the whole gamut because we want in the 1980s. The staff includes a wealth of industry input from all areas possible," Price said. "CARE is knowledge, from Manager Joel Owen, who has been all about equipping educators with the information at the facility for two decades, to Training Analyst they need to teach." David Cunningham, a year into the job after 16 years teaching at the Earnest Pruett Center for By Chuck Chandler Technology, to new hire Dewayne Jenkins, who started in May after 11 years teaching at Bevill State Community College. Students, contractors, dealers and others make pilgrimages to the center to learn from the Alabama Power instructors using the latest equipment – much of it donated by manufacturers. The HVAC Center is one of two independent U.S. facilities authorized by leading air-conditioning manufacturer Fujitsu to train technicians. Alabama Power's staff teaches new energy code standards, among many other areas requiring certification. "The reputation outside Alabama Power is pretty phenomenal," Price said. "What we do here is a winwin for all parties. The distributors, manufacturers and educators have built a partnership with us that is invaluable – you couldn't put a price tag on it." Photos by Bill Snow Price teaches many students about HVAC operations. Price is Right PAGE 4

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