RPA to Honor Five Under 30 with ‘Rising Radiant Professionals — the Hydronics Industry’s Future Leaders’ Award
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The Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) has selected five exceptional young individuals, each under 30 years old, to be honored as recipients of its “Rising Radiant Professionals — the Hydronics Industry’s Future Leaders,” recognition to be presented at the RPA’s annual Membership Meeting, Jan. 26, in Orlando, Fla. The RPA is proud to recognize the following individuals for compiling an impressive body of work in the field of radiant and hydronics at such a young age:
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“We feel it is important to step back and take a look at the foundation blocks of our industry and our organization,” said RPA Executive Director Mark Eatherton. “When I see folks like these young people that are going to be taking over the reins of our industry, it gives me a feeling of great pride and assurance that our future is in good hands. “Thank you to all who submitted such worthy nominees and, most importantly, thank you to the recipients for their contributions to our industry and society in general.” |
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Aaron Stotko, associate product manager, Heating and Cooling at Uponor.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Minor: Mathematics from University of Minnesota-Duluth.
His professional experience includes HVAC Designer for AMSOIL Arena (Duluth, MN) for Jamar Mechanical in 2009 and has been with Uponor since 2010, rising in their organization from Product Marketing Intern – Heating and Cooling to Product Specialist – Heating and Cooling to Associate Product Manager – Heating and Cooling. His responsibilities while at Uponor include: Indoor Climate Study (Residential Radiant Heating and Cooling), Ecoflex Pre-insulated Piping Systems, Hydronic Piping Systems, and Radiant Application Product Portfolio.
Some of his key technical projects are:
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Daniel Vastyan, account manager and writer for Common Ground, a public relations firm located in Manheim Pennsylvania. Dan took his first “Radiant in the Rockies” trip with his father, John Vastyan and a team from Uponor in 2000. Prior to graduating PSU in ’09 with a B.S. degree, Dan joined Common Ground to help with writing; his role has grown quickly. What took his dad 20+ years to learn was far more quickly understood by a guy who intuitively understands machinery. Dan’s been at it here full time since Jan. 2010 and now writes about mechanical systems large and small. He interacts daily with clients and a growing circle of journalists. Dan has also been very active and continues to donate his time and talents to the Membership Committee of the Radiant Professionals Alliance. He is currently heading up a video selfie program that we are developing to show the people who haven’t yet joined, who it is that is already a part of our (RPA) organization, and explain why they should become a member of this growing community of hydronic heating and cooling experts.
Dan has never faltered when given large time consuming tasks, and has always been on the front line of volunteerism, the primary driving factor of the RPA. |
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Grant Schutte, Installer, Advanced Hydronics, Inc
Advanced Hydronics, Inc. is extremely fortunate to have Grant Schutte on their team and an integral part of their growing company. Grant joined their team in early 2014 and made an immediate impact with the addition of his skill set, work ethic and professional approach. Grant has vast knowledge of construction practices including strong interest in continuing to build on his true passion for anything mechanical. He has been a blessing for his company by continuing to educate himself in the constantly changing RPA industry including enrolling in multiple HVAC classes at Red Rocks Community College. Projects he has been involved with include high efficiency boiler installations and replacements, solar thermal, ground source, snow melt, panel radiators, radiant floors and distribution piping. Prior to joining Advanced Hydronics, Inc. Grant was employed at Debin Mechanical and Legacy Mechanical primarily as a plumbing apprentice. In 2012 he became employed by Blue Sky Plumbing and Heating where he practiced all aspects of residential and commercial hydronic heating systems including boiler installations and replacements. This experience provided a stepping stone for him to develop his skills contributing to his passion. |
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Max Rohr, 29, representative, Shamrock Sales
Max Rohr has been the chairman of the Radiant Professionals Alliance Education Committee for the last 2-1/2 years. Mark Eatherton intentionally recruited Max into the ranks of the RPA’s education committee, knowing that he would bring a good, fresh, young man’s approach to help us in moving this industry organization forward.
Max has some excellent hydronic blood lineage in that his father is Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr of Caleffi fame, and his mother is Ellen Rohr, of Bare Bones Business fame. He has been instrumental in putting the educational offerings that the RPA provides for its members at the annual AHR conference as well as helping to determine the direction the educational offerings are taking as it pertains to the RPA contracting members.
Max work along his dad from an early age, it did require some Lego and Ninja Turtle bribes when he was small. Once he was mobile with a drivers license, he would help after school and on some weekends. Max attended the very first RPA event at the Thunderbird in MN and most of the events over the years as well as many trade shows. Especially the ones in fun places like Orlando, Los Angles, Las Vegas and Stockton CA. He did spend over 1 year working at the Caleffi factory over in Italy. He was based out in the Returns area he moved through all the departments, and speaks fluent Italian. He returned to the US and worked at Able Distributing in Chicago as training director where he eventually acquired a LEED Building Performance certification while in the Chicago area.
He moved to Colorado to work as a representative for Shamrock Sales covering the western slope area of Colorado, working out of Silverthorne and Denver. He is a monthly Columnist for PHC News, where he writes on Energy Conservation topics, as well as other hydronic related articles. Max is a member on the Board of Directors for High Country Conservation Center in Silverthorne Colorado. |
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Tyler Arndt, 22, apprentice, Arndt and Son Plumbing
Tyler Arndt is a 22 year old apprentice, living in Brooklyn, WI. He works for his father’s Plumbing Company, Arndt and Son Plumbing in Brooklyn, WI. Arndt and Son Plumbing currently has 6 employees. Arndt and Son Plumbing has won 11 national awards and has been featured in several magazines. The first hydronic heating system that he helped install was in 2000 when he was only 7 years old. Since then he have assisted in installing and servicing many hydronic heating systems. He was child labor until he turned 17 years old. He became a laborer during his senior year of high school in his high schools “School to Work” program. Shortly after graduating high school he became a plumbing apprentice. During the 4 years of his apprentice schooling he maintained a grade average of an A. He is currently a 5th year apprentice and will be taking his journeyman’s test this coming fall.
Arndt and Son Plumbing is a residential and light commercial new construction, remodeling, service, and repair company. Since he started in the plumbing trade he has done everything from service work to well systems and new construction. One job that he was involved in, and it was featured in the Radiant Living Magazine, was Rev Matthews Residence. The job was a Snowmelt System on a driveway replacement and patio totaling 2,415 sq ft. Another job he was involved in that was also featured in the Radiant Living Magazine was Crowley Masonry, a commercial office space with radiant in-floor heat totaling 1,500 sq ft. The Gunkel Residence was a driveway and patio snowmelt system totaling 1,434 sq ft. and was featured in Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine. Our most recent job was for the Rowland family that involved a snowmelt system totaling 1,952 sq ft, in-floor heat system totaling 4,000 sq ft, and a 9,000 gallon heated indoor swimming pool. Those are just a few projects of the many that Tyler has been instrumental in.
In 2011 he received the Goulds Pump ITT Corporation for GPDA Scholarship. In 2012 he received the Wisconsin Water Well Association Scholarship and the Rigid Tools Scholarship. In 2013 he received the PHCC and Delta Faucet Company Plumbing Apprentice of the Year Award and the AO Smith Water Contractor Scholarship. In 2014 he won the PHCC Plumbing Apprentice Competition in New Orleans. The thing he loves the most about Hydronics is hearing the customers rave about how much they love their system. He loves showing the homeowners how to use the state of the art technology on the systems they install, and hearing them say “wow that’s easy”. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell who loves the system more, me or the homeowner. With each hydronic project we do we are always incorporating the newest and latest controls and products.” He recently took a class at the U.S. Viessman Headquarters in Rhode Island and was able to advance his knowledge in the product we use. Outside of work he is an outdoor enthusiast. He has served on the board of the local snowmobile club since he was 17. He loves to hunt, fish, and snowmobile. |
The RPA’s annual Membership Meeting will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, with an evening social event at Tommy Bahama.
