Olesen is ASHRAE president

USA: Bjarne W Olesen, a professor at the Technical University of Denmark, has been appointed president of ASHRAE for 2017-2018.

Head of the University’s Department of Civil Engineering, Olesen has previously served on the board of directors as treasurer, vice president and director-at-large.

His theme, Extending our Community, focuses on three directives: extend our global community; extend our technological horizons; and extend our value to members.

“Extending our global community will acknowledge our interconnectedness worldwide and embrace our shared needs and objectives,” Olesen said. “The technical guidance we produce for all members is made stronger by global diversity.”

From the start of Olesen’s time with ASHRAE, he did not have the opportunity to get involved with a local chapter to dedicate his time and efforts to the HVAC industry – and believes in the importance of working together to create a better built environment.

“Many of our members are only active on one side – either the technical side, mainly at the Society level, or the grassroots side at the local chapter level,” Olesen said. “However, one side cannot live without the other. We will work to extend our global connections and more strongly link our members worldwide. Doing so will strengthen our Society’s knowledge base, community reach and ability to shape a more sustainable world.”

Olesen is also a director of the International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy, a fellow of ASHRAE, REHVA, AICARR and International honorary member of SHASE (Society of Heating, AC & Sanitary Engineers of Japan).

In addition to his time served on the board of directors, Olesen has been a part of many technical committees and been a coordinating officer of various committees. He is the recipient of ASHRAE’s Lou Flagg Historical Award, Fellow Award, Exceptional Service Award and Distinguished Service Award.