President's Message:
Welcome to the 2026 to 2027 ASHRAE Year and the Long Island Chapter.
It is a true honor to serve as President of a chapter with such a long history of supporting our industry, educating our members, and investing in the next generation of engineers and HVAC professionals.
First, I would like to thank Matthew Catan for his leadership, dedication, and service as Chapter President over the past year. I would also like to recognize our past presidents, officers, Board of Governors, committee chairs, sponsors, presenters, and members. Our chapter continues to succeed because of the time, energy, and ideas contributed by people who care about ASHRAE and the Long Island engineering community.
Having been involved with this chapter for several years, I have seen firsthand that ASHRAE is about much more than technical meetings and professional development hours. It is about relationships, mentorship, education, and bringing together engineers, contractors, manufacturers, owners, students, and young professionals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn from one another.
My goal this year is simple. I do not want us to simply fill positions or fill a calendar. I want us to build a chapter that people genuinely want to be part of.
This year’s ASHRAE Society theme, introduced by President Sarah E. Maston, is “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience.” Her message focuses on teamwork, strategy, and execution as the industry works to improve the efficiency, performance, and resilience of our existing buildings.
That message is especially relevant to our industry here on Long Island. Every existing building comes with its own history, limitations, budget, infrastructure, and operational needs. There is rarely one perfect answer. Success requires the right people at the table, open communication, practical thinking, and a game plan that everyone understands.
Of course, as engineers, we also know that even the best game plan usually comes with a revision or two.
The same principles apply to our chapter. Our success depends on people who are willing to communicate, take ownership, bring forward new ideas, respectfully challenge how things have always been done, and follow through. It also depends on creating an environment where volunteering is meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable. ASHRAE should never feel like another job after everyone has already finished their actual job.
Throughout the year, we will focus on delivering meaningful technical programs, educational opportunities, facility tours, and networking events. We will continue supporting our student branches and scholarships, expanding opportunities for YEA members, developing future chapter leaders, and strengthening the connection between our members and the Long Island engineering community.
Whether you have been involved with ASHRAE for twenty years or are considering attending your first meeting, there is a place for you here. Attend a program, join a committee, mentor a student, invite a colleague, or bring us an idea for how we can improve. If you bring a colleague and an idea, even better.
My commitment is to invest in our members, support our volunteers, encourage new ideas, and leave the chapter stronger than we found it.
I look forward to working with all of you and to a successful and enjoyable year ahead.
Michael H. Razzano
President, ASHRAE Long Island Chapter
Michael H. Razzano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and has worked in commercial HVAC sales engineering since 2008. At Klima NY, he helps lead the development and execution of complex HVAC equipment and building controls projects, working closely with engineers, contractors, owners, and manufacturers from early design through startup and system operation. His involvement in ASHRAE reflects his commitment to technical education, developing future industry leaders, and strengthening the Long Island engineering community.
It is a true honor to serve as President of a chapter with such a long history of supporting our industry, educating our members, and investing in the next generation of engineers and HVAC professionals.
First, I would like to thank Matthew Catan for his leadership, dedication, and service as Chapter President over the past year. I would also like to recognize our past presidents, officers, Board of Governors, committee chairs, sponsors, presenters, and members. Our chapter continues to succeed because of the time, energy, and ideas contributed by people who care about ASHRAE and the Long Island engineering community.
Having been involved with this chapter for several years, I have seen firsthand that ASHRAE is about much more than technical meetings and professional development hours. It is about relationships, mentorship, education, and bringing together engineers, contractors, manufacturers, owners, students, and young professionals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn from one another.
My goal this year is simple. I do not want us to simply fill positions or fill a calendar. I want us to build a chapter that people genuinely want to be part of.
This year’s ASHRAE Society theme, introduced by President Sarah E. Maston, is “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience.” Her message focuses on teamwork, strategy, and execution as the industry works to improve the efficiency, performance, and resilience of our existing buildings.
That message is especially relevant to our industry here on Long Island. Every existing building comes with its own history, limitations, budget, infrastructure, and operational needs. There is rarely one perfect answer. Success requires the right people at the table, open communication, practical thinking, and a game plan that everyone understands.
Of course, as engineers, we also know that even the best game plan usually comes with a revision or two.
The same principles apply to our chapter. Our success depends on people who are willing to communicate, take ownership, bring forward new ideas, respectfully challenge how things have always been done, and follow through. It also depends on creating an environment where volunteering is meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable. ASHRAE should never feel like another job after everyone has already finished their actual job.
Throughout the year, we will focus on delivering meaningful technical programs, educational opportunities, facility tours, and networking events. We will continue supporting our student branches and scholarships, expanding opportunities for YEA members, developing future chapter leaders, and strengthening the connection between our members and the Long Island engineering community.
Whether you have been involved with ASHRAE for twenty years or are considering attending your first meeting, there is a place for you here. Attend a program, join a committee, mentor a student, invite a colleague, or bring us an idea for how we can improve. If you bring a colleague and an idea, even better.
My commitment is to invest in our members, support our volunteers, encourage new ideas, and leave the chapter stronger than we found it.
I look forward to working with all of you and to a successful and enjoyable year ahead.
Michael H. Razzano
President, ASHRAE Long Island Chapter
Michael H. Razzano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and has worked in commercial HVAC sales engineering since 2008. At Klima NY, he helps lead the development and execution of complex HVAC equipment and building controls projects, working closely with engineers, contractors, owners, and manufacturers from early design through startup and system operation. His involvement in ASHRAE reflects his commitment to technical education, developing future industry leaders, and strengthening the Long Island engineering community.
Michael H. Razzano
President, Long Island Chapter
President, Long Island Chapter