As the summer winds down, ACCA recognizes the incredible work of our government relations and communications interns. Here at ACCA, we’re dedicated to career development not just for our members, but also for other professionals who support the HVACR community. Our summer interns brought fresh perspectives, a strong work ethic, and a deep commitment to learning and contributing to the HVACR industry. We are grateful for their dedication and contributions over the past few months.
Read on to discover how an internship with ACCA helped shape the future careers of these young professionals.
Ian Kormos – Communications intern
Building on previous internships, Ian embraced a wide variety of projects, from research and social media initiatives to marketing campaigns and artificial intelligence (AI) experimentation.
Ian valued the personal connections fostered through platforms like Microsoft Teams, which made collaboration feel seamless. He appreciated the tailored nature of his internship, which aligned projects with his interests and allowed him to build an impressive portfolio.
Of his experience, Ian remarked,
“This internship was tailored to provide experiences and projects aligned with my interests, allowing me to enhance my portfolio and resume in the long run.”
Ian’s journey with ACCA continues through the fall, and we are excited to see what future contributions he brings.
Thilini Mendis – Government relations intern
Thilini had the opportunity to spend her government relations internship in Washington, D.C. at Marquette University’s Les Aspen Center for Government. A summer in Washington, D.C. allowed Thilini more direct engagement with ACCA’s government relations staff, coalition partners, and decision-makers. Thilini was able to build her network while representing ACCA at High Performance Buildings Week on Capitol Hill.
Much of her internship centered around the CTE Awareness Act (H.R. 8638), which would increase awareness among high school students by adding information about technical education and careers in the trades to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Thilini joined the ACCA team for a strategy meeting with staff for bill sponsor Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX ) and subsequently helped to draft articles on the bill and schedule, prepare for, and participate in meetings with prospective co-sponsors.
Luna Noguchi – Government relations intern
Luna spent her summer diving deep into the intricacies of government relations, focusing on legislation that impacts HVACR contractors. With a keen eye for research and analysis, Luna tracked and evaluated numerous legislative measures, attending meetings with legislative staffers and gaining hands-on experience in advocacy. Luna’s passion for legislative research grew during her time with us, and her insights have been invaluable to ACCA’s efforts.
In her own words, Luna reflects,
“I am grateful for the mentorship of the [government relations] team and for the opportunity to meet and connect with ACCA’s fruitful network.”
Luna’s time at ACCA has invigorated her interest in government relations, and we look forward to seeing where her career in this field takes her.
Allyson Ritchey – Communications intern
Allyson began her journey with ACCA knowing little about the HVACR industry, but she quickly became a specialist in communicating its importance. As a recent graduate from Shippensburg University, she hit the ground running while preparing to embark on earning her master’s degree.
Throughout her internship, Allyson designed graphics, crafted engaging social media posts, conducted interviews nationwide, and contributed to ACCA’s blog and other publications. One of her favorite experiences was drafting press releases and seeing them published.
Reflecting on her time at ACCA, Allyson shared,
“I have gained so much knowledge, experience, and a newfound appreciation for the trades that I would have never found had ACCA not taken a chance on me.”
We are proud of the growth she’s achieved and the lasting impact her work has made.
A bright future ahead
Ian, Thilini, Luna, and Allyson, have each made their mark on ACCA in meaningful ways, and we are excited to see the bright futures that lie ahead for them. Thank you to our summer 2024 interns for your outstanding contributions; we wish you all the best as you move forward!
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