Selkowitz Honors Arasteh as "Mentor" to All

Steve Selkowitz (LBNL) payed tribute to Dariush Arasteh this afternoon, calling him a mentor to us all.

Arasteh, one of the experts who was pivotal in creating NFRC, passed away on February 3, 2012 after battling cancer.

An esteemed contributor to the rating methods NFRC still uses today, Arasteh, worked as a researcher and scientist alongside Selkowitz at LBNL. Arasteh was involved in many aspects of the organization’s work on energy efficient windows, including the development of highly-insulating “superwindows.”

Arasteh also served as a lifelong advocate for fair, accurate, and credible ratings for the thermal performance of windows and enjoyed studying the role of windows in net-zero homes.

Selkowitz referred to Arasteh as a colleague, friend, and mentor not only to new staff at LBNL but everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. 

LBNL's Tribute to Dariush Arasteh

NFRC's McGowan Offers Insight on R&T Block Accomplishments

W6/T6 Completion Date Extended to Fall 2012

A motion proposing that the completion date for the W6/T6 Validation Research Project be extended until the fall 2012 membership meeting passed, 28-0.

While the research is complete, the project report is still being finalized.

Following the 2012 membership meeting, the contractor will transfer to NFRC all data, materials, and works related to the project.

"Ambassadors” Help Newcomers Navigate First Meeting

First-time meeting attendees met their NFRC ambassadors this morning.

The new program, implemented by NFRC’s Membership Manager, Anita Marsh, was implemented to reduce the learning curve for new meeting attendees.

Marsh says her research indicates newcomers typically attend three meetings before they become acclimated. The program is designed to create a cohort group that moves through meetings together, enabling them to enjoy a sense of camaraderie and to get them involved in the proceedings sooner rather than later.

According to Marsh, one of the most valuable aspects of the ambassador program is that it gives newcomers a personal resource they can turn to so they can get answers to their questions quickly and easily.

In Marsh's view, creating an atmosphere of success for first-time attendees is essential to getting talented new people involved and keeping them involved.