Meet The Board

Our Board of Governors

2024 - 2025

Mike MacKenzie

Chapter President

Mike MacKenzie works with ITC Technologies, an industry leader in electrification and decarbonization. He has been an ASHRAE member for almost ten years. Mike has spent the last three seasons helping promote sustainable development in Nova Scotia serving as the sustainability chair for the rebirth of Build Green Atlantic with ASHRAE, Secretary, Vice President, President Elect, and now President of the Halifax chapter. Mike sits on the Sustainability, Government Affairs, and Membership Promotion committees. Mike volunteers with ASHRAE to bring better, brighter ideas to our local HVAC and construction communities by highlighting advancing along with tried, tested, and true technologies.

Daniel Morris

Chapter President-Elect

I am a consulting engineer working with M&R Engineering, now BPA, and I have been working in the HVAC field as a design engineer for over 9 years. I have been a member of ASHRAE since university, being fortunate to receive the ASHRAE student scholarship 12 years ago in 2012. I was introduced to the Halifax Chapter board by Aaron Smith, a former chapter president and current colleague. Over the years, I have been the newsletter editor, YEA chair and treasurer for the Halifax Chapter. The Halifax ASHRAE Chapter has provided me with amazing opportunities to learn, network, and grow in the HVAC industry in the Maritimes. As chapter president elect, I hope to learn from the current executive and help Mike Mackenzie grow the Halifax Chapter and what it can offer to our local industry.

Carmen Watson

Chapter Secretary

Carmen Watson works with Atlantica Mechanical Contractors as the lead estimator working on various sized projects in the ICI sector. While taking the Construction Management program at NSCC is where she was first introduced to ASHRAE through the instructor that taught the Mechanical Systems courses. She has been working in the HVAC industry for just over 5 years now and wanted to get more involved within the professional community and network with the folks supporting this growing industry. After joining a few months ago she chose to volunteer for the Secretary Role this year to get more involved and help the ASHRAE Halifax Chapter continue to grow.

Jason Leadbetter

Chapter Co-Treasurer

Jason holds a B.Eng and MASc in mechanical engineering and has been engaged in complex engineering projects for 15 years. Jason’s system design and project management experience spans across a wide variety of industries including pharmaceutical/biological facilities, laboratories, data centers, commercial facilities, recreational facilities, and industrial facilities. Outside of work, he is a proud father of two and an avid runner.

Having held multiple positions within ASHRAE Halifax Chapter (including past-president), Jason continues as the Chapter’s Treasurer to give back to an organization which has provided immense and invaluable resources and collaborative opportunities to its community.

Keith Estey

Chapter Co-Treasurer

Keith Estey, will be the Treasurer alongside Jason Leadbetter for the 2024 / 2025 Society year. Keith is part of the Energy team at EastPoint Engineering providing energy consulting services with a focus on new and existing building commissioning. Keith has been involved with the Halifax ASHARE Chapter over the past year and wanted to be more involved. Since he has had Treasurer experience in the past, he thought this is where he could initially provide the most value to the Chapter. He is excited for the coming year and helping the chapter.

Jarid Wilson

Chair, Research Promotion

Jarid Wilson has been in the HVAC industry for almost 20 years, currently working as an account manager for the largest Filtration Distributor in Atlantic Canada. Jarid is ASHRAE Halifax Research Promotion chair for the 2024-25 term. Jarid previously served as Halifax chapter president during the 2023-2024 term. He has also served as an ASHRAE board member for 8 years. He has been able to bring a wealth of knowledge to the local chapter and continues to be heavily involved in the growth of ASHRAE Halifax. He believes that ASHRAE is a great way to network with like minded individuals to make the community a better place.

Millen Khiroya

Chair, YEA (Young Engineers in ASHRAE)

Millen Khiroya works with Black and McDonald as a project sales representative and is responsible for the design, estimation, and sales of commercial projects in the HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Building Automation fields.

Millen joined ASHRAE as the chair of the Young Engineers in ASHRAE because he values the importance of spreading awareness of the ASHRAE organization to young professionals in the industry, contributing to the growth and development of the Halifax chapter, and providing opportunities for young professionals to network with experienced industry experts.

Steven K. Ramsay,

Chair, Sustainability Committee

Steven K. Ramsay, P.Eng., PMP, CEM, joined ASHRAE in 1999, serving in various roles, including Chapter President in 2006, transforming financials and growth. As Sustainability Chair since 2022, he initiated educational events on energy efficiency and sustainability, leading to successful Build Green Atlantic Conferences in 2023 and 2024.

Steven continues to guide the Halifax Chapter towards increased membership and community engagement.
“I am proud to identify myself as an ASHRAE Halifax Chapter Member and to promote the vision and direction that ASHRAE promotes throughout the World!”

Mark Lawrence

Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

HVAC wasn’t my first career path, so once I started, I needed to advance quickly. That’s when I discovered ASHRAE. Since 2007 I’ve had may roles both locally, at the region, and internationally for the Society. It’s through ASHRAE where I gained most of my technical knowledge, developed management, leadership and team skills; made many friends, and travelled lots.

This year I’m the chair of the Halifax Chapter’s growing DEI committee. As a transgender/non-binary leader myself, I hope to share my knowledge and wisdom with the chapter to grow a more welcoming and understanding space for everyone.

Darren Weir

Chair, Technology Transfer (CTTC)

I graduated with a BCom from Saint Mary’s University and began my career in the HVAC industry in 1994 at Irving Oil as a Domestic Energy Advisor. In 2000, I transitioned to Trane Atlantic as an EBS salesperson, managing HVAC maintenance contracts and small projects. By 2007, I joined Ainsworth as a Technical Sales Representative, focusing on large project sales and tenders. Since 2013, I have been with The Master Group, where I started in Applied Outside Sales and currently serve as Senior Business Development for the Nova Scotia territory. I choose to volunteer as this year’s CTTC Chair so I may endeavor to provide quality speakers that will be informative and beneficial to the Halifax Chapter members as well as all stakeholders, including end users, regarding technological advancements in HVAC-R.

Conan Baker

Board of Governors

I got to where I’m at today through a path not normally taken. I went to SMU for a B. Com part time but decided to go work for a small sales agency in the plumbing industry before getting a degree. I spent the next 14 years as a manufactures sales rep first supporting the retail distribution network; then through the wholesale distribution channel for +35 manufactures in the Plumbing industry. I’ve always be driven by learning “how things work” & was fascinated with Mechanical rooms. Enviroair Industries gave me the opportunity to nurture my passion for Mechanical rooms. They also connected me with ASHRAE, & encouraged me to support my local chapter. I’ve been a member since 2015 and have volunteered with the Halifax chapter since 2016. I was the CTTC chair for two years, Historian chair for a year, was on the Region II 2019 CRC organization committee & have been a BOG since 2019. ASHRAE has provided resources to advance my career, I’ll continue volunteering as long as I have the capacity to.

Darrell Amirault

Board of Governors

Darrell has dedicated 24 years to the HVAC and energy efficiency sector, building a robust career as a key member of the Atlantic Canada Sales division of Engineered Air. His commitment to the industry extends beyond his professional role, demonstrated by his active involvement in the Halifax ASHRAE chapter.

Over the years, Darrell has taken on multiple leadership roles within the chapter, including serving as the Student Activities Chair, where he mentored the next generation of HVAC professionals, as Research Promotion Chair, where he spearheaded initiatives to advance industry knowledge and standards, and he has also held the esteemed position of Chapter President. His extensive experience and dedication to both his profession and ASHRAE have made him a respected figure in the HVAC community.

Lara Mullaly

Co-Chair, Student Activities

Lara Mullally joined the industry in 2021 after graduating from Dalhousie with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Lara has since been working with MCA Consultants as a Mechanical Designer, EIT, gaining experience in a variety of sectors within the industry, including pharmaceutical/biological facilities, food processing facilities, commercial facilities, and industrial facilities.

Lara joined ASHRAE in 2023 taking on the role of Student Activities Chair, where she was involved in the planning and execution of various student-focused events and initiatives, with the goal of promoting ASHRAE and its values to the student population in Halifax. Lara resumes this role for the 2024-2025 year with a mission to contribute to the continued growth of the ASHRAE Halifax Chapter while improving on the relationships between students and industry professionals.

Joe McLean

Co-Chair, Membership Promotion

Joe Mclean is a Customer-focused professional with over 15 years of demonstrated experience driving organizational performance and revenue growth. Joe has been a key piece in growing the building automation and renewable energy landscape in Atlantic Canada for several years.

Joe chose the MP committee as it offers a chance for professional growth by expanding his network, developing leadership skills, and gaining experience in membership recruitment and engagement. This position stems from the passion for the HVAC&R industry and a desire to contribute to its development by attracting new members who share similar interests.

Joe’s commitment clean energy, community building and helping to foster a stronger, more collaborative environment within the chapter makes the MP committee a perfect fit. Ultimately, he sees this as a way to give back to an organization that has provided valuable support or opportunities.