AHRI president and CEO Stephen Yurek to retire
4th June 2026
USA: Stephen Yurek, president and CEO of the US HVACR manufacturers association, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), has announced his retirement next year.
Yurek joined the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, as it was then called, as general counsel and, subsequently, as vice president of policy and public affairs. He became president and CEO in 2006 and oversaw the formation of the AHRI with the 2008 merger of ARI and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association.
During his tenure, AHRI became a global association, establishing offices in Canada, India, and China, and across Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Confirming the decision on LinkedIn, Yurek said he intended to retire at a date to be determined in 2027.
“Serving as president and CEO of AHRI since 2006 and working for this industry since 2002 has been an incredible honour and a privilege,” he said. “Over my career, I have had the opportunity to work with many dedicated and wonderful people while hopefully making an impact on education and environmental and energy policy not only in the United States of America but globally.”
