RACCA’s Awards & Installation Banquet

Everyone in the HVACR Industry is Welcome to RSVP and Celebrate RACCA 75th Year.

RACCA’s original members began meeting as early as 1949 to discuss mutual problems and to develop a coalition of contractors that might take action on industry issues through solidarity. Among it’s original charter members: Howard Frankland, W.B. Haggerty, Otto Krause, James Griffin, George Durant and J. Arthur Turner, Sr. The original group of approximately 12 contractor members met on a weekly basis for a number of years.

In 1956, the group received a chapter charter from the national organization-the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association. This affiliation continued until 1965, at which time the local organization incorporated as a not-for-profit Florida corporation.

During the 50’s and 60’s, the group worked for solutions on diverse issues including: Fair bidding practices; Unfair distribution practices by manufactures; Training of skilled workers and early mechanical codes. The association was primarily responsible for formulating the original City of Tampa Mechanical Code, Chapter 13A, in January 1963. This code was later adopted by Hillsborough County with only minor amendments.

In 1966, RACCA counted 20 contractor members and began allowing suppliers to join as associate members. In October the association hired its first ever Executive Director, C.J. “Jim” Dillard. By 1969, the Association membership had increased to 23 contractor firms and 22 associate members. This represented a “lion’s share” of suppliers and approximately 30% of the contractors in Hillsborough County.

Discussions and preliminary meetings took place in 1979 and 1980 between RACCA’s Board of Directors and the leadership of the Pinellas Heating & Air Conditioning Association (PHAA).The Pinellas Association was incorporated in April 1960. In 1980 the decision was made to merge the two associations into one organization; RACCA of Tampa Bay. Membership was increased to nearly 60 contractors and 50 associate members. The two boards of directors were inter-woven, and representation was established for both sides of Tampa Bay.

In 1996 the Association created a highly successful apprenticeship program to serve the industry training needs in the Tampa Bay area. The Association established a long standing partnership with Pinellas Technical College where the program is housed.

Below will give you a little information about the Awards being given out:

• Award of Excellence to an Organization (Associate Member) for outstanding participation and contributions to the Industry.
• Award of Excellence to an Organization (Contractor Member) for outstanding participation and contributions to the Industry.
• President’s Award of Excellence to an Individual that have distinguished themselves with service to the RACCA Organization.
• Legacy Awards for Years of Service to RACCA and the Industry.
• C J Dillard Award for an Individual for outstanding service to RACCA and the Industry.

We will be checking groups in at 5:45 PM followed by the Open Bar (6 til 8) along with Hors D’ Oeuvres: Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Vegetable Spring Roll and Tomato Bruschetta. You will be seated at 7:00 to enjoy a House Mix Greens Salad followed by your choice of entree Rosemary Bistro Filet or Chef’s Selection Seasonal Fish which is usually Mahi Mahi followed by Dessert. The Awards will start at 8 followed by the Installation of Officers. See you there!!!
Note: Entree must be selected when RSVP.