Russell Pope – Chairman of the Board
Mr. Pope is the Development Manager for Panasonic Life Solutions, North America. Russell is an active participant in ASHRAE 62.2, ENERGY STAR, Department of Energy Programs, an Codes and Standards development. Russell received the Future of HVI Award in 2014. He serves as Chair of the Certification Committee.
Mr. Bertrand Poirier – Vice Chair
Mr. Poirier is head of innovation & compliance at Systemair Inc. The company has been producing ventilation products for both the residential and commercial markets for over 30 years. Bertrand has been involved with HVI for over 15 years and was honored with the Future of HVI Award in 2016. He serves as Chair of the HVI H/ERV Committee.
Ms. Heather Kittmer – Treasurer
Heather Kittmer is the Head of Finance at Airia Brands Inc., a Zehnder Group Company. Heather is a member of the executive management team at Airia and is responsible for the Finance, Engineering/Product Development, and IT departments. Heather has been in the HVAC industry for 3 years and manufacturing industry for 9 years. All of Heather’s formal schooling and training is in accounting and finance and she is currently in the process of obtaining her CPA designation. Heather prides herself on her ability to converse with peers with varying levels of financial competence to explain results and how their role can help contribute to the financial performance and success of the organization. Throughout the last several years Heather has focused on sharpening her skills as a finance leader and is excited to join the HVI board as her first board role.
Ms. Jacki Donner – Secretary
Since April 2007, Jacki has served as the CEO for the Home Ventilating Institute, an international trade association focused on performance certification of residential ventilating products. She is responsible for all aspects of business operations such as strategy, human resources, volunteer/leadership development, finance, legal and more. She serves also as the CEO/Secretary for the Healthy Air Research and Certification Authority where her role is very similar to her HVI role.
Ms. Donner has served in a variety of staff and volunteer roles for a host of nonprofit associations during the last four decades and earned her Certified Association Executive credential in 2008.
Mr. Patrick Nielsen – Immediate Past Chair
Mr. Nielsen has 20 years of experience in the residential ventilation industry, serving as Global Technical Products Manager at Broan-NuTone in Hartford, Wisconsin. Broan-NuTone manufactures residential ventilation products including ventilation fans, supply fans, range hoods and H/ERVs and markets to multiple channels in the US and Canada. His responsibilities include codes and standards, healthy and energy efficient building trends as well as identifying future product development opportunities. He serves as Chair of the HVI Codes & Standards Committee.
Mr. Loic Ares – Member-at-Large
Mr. Ares is the Technical Advisor of IAQ at Venmar Ventilation ULC in Drummondville, QC.
Mr. Jeff Klonowski – Member-at-Large
As the Product Development Manager for Delta's North American market, Jeff works with Delta engineers to design products that meet the needs of a growing market. Jeff has 25 years' experience in the residential construction, building science, and ventilation industries. While at Panasonic, Jeff lead the Specification Sales Engineering Team, who worked with architects and engineers to specify ventilation systems for some of the largest developments in North America. Jeff is certified in Residential Ventilation Installation by the Canadian mortgage Housing Authority. Earlier in his career, Jeff was a certified HERS rater, leading a team of 12, and conducted over 1,200 home energy audits each year for utility customers in Wisconsin.
Mr. John Fox – Ex-officio Director
Mr. Fox has served the residential and commercial ventilation industry for almost 35 years. Mr. Fox served as HVI's Chairman of the Board from October 2011 to October 2013. He received the HVI Distinguished Service Award in 2019. He currently serves as the Chair of the HVI Lab Oversight Committee, and Chair of the Risk Assessment Committee. John has served as President of HVI's sister association, the Healthy Air Research and Certification Authority (HARCA), since its inception in November 2015.
