HVAC Excellence has conferred the title of Certified Master HVACR instructor upon Brian Youngblood and James Blackford of the Atlantic Vocational Center in Coconut Creek, Fla.  

Certified Master HVACR Educator is a series of credentialing exams that verifies teachers are capable of teaching the competencies within their curriculum. To earn the status of Certified Master HVACR Educator, an instructor must obtain a passing score of 80% or better on six area specific Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning-Refrigeration (HVACR) Certified Subject Matter Educator (CSME) exams. Additionally, the instructor must pass the capstone exam, which covers technical education methodologies.

HVAC Excellence, a not for profit organization, administers hundreds of CSME exams annually. However, only a select group of top teachers in the country have passed all of the exams necessary to be granted the designation of Certified Master HVACR Educator. 

Blackford began his career at the Suffolk County Community College in Selden, N.Y. and R.E.T.S. Technical School. His experience as a business owner led him to appreciate the importance of quality service as it effects profitability. He has traveled extensively servicing and installing residential and commercial systems. Blackford is a licensed and certified Florida contractor.

Youngblood is a graduate of the HVACR program at Sheridan Vocational in Hollywood, Florida. His work on a variety of equipment with various applications provided him the opportunity to provide in-house training for new employees. His passion for teaching led him back to his alma matter. When a full time position became available at Atlantic Technical Center, Youngblood enthusiastically applied for the position that he still holds today.