RETA-RSES has announced the appointment of Lori Schiavo as the new Associate Executive Director, effective January 30, 2026. Schiavo will work closely with Executive Director Vern Sanderson to support leadership, staff, and organizational goals as RETA-RSES continues efforts to serve the HVACR industry.
Schiavo previously held the position of Director of Operations at RETA-RSES and has been with RSES for over 19 years. Her past roles include Executive Vice President and Publisher/Editor of the RSES Journal. She currently oversees the Education, Testing, Marketing, Publishing, and Certification departments across both the Schaumburg and Albany offices, and collaborates with several RETA-RSES Committees.
Her industry involvement also includes acting as a liaison for HVACR training programs and events at the state and federal levels, as well as participation in trade and association shows. Before joining RSES, Schiavo held editorial roles in the construction, mining, and printing sectors.
Executive Director Vern Sanderson emphasized the importance of shared leadership: “Naming Lori Schiavo as the Associate Executive Director is a natural progression in the growth of the organization,” he said. “Her long-term leadership to RSES, intricate knowledge of the industry, and her deep insight into the human condition make her ideally suited to the role.”
Reflecting on her career, Schiavo noted the significance of helping reunite RSES and RETA. “What began as early conversations in 2018 has grown into a unified, global HVAC&R Association,” she said. “I’m proud to support Vern Sanderson and our dedicated staff and well-versed Board and Committee volunteers as we enter this next chapter focused on serving our Members while advancing the industry worldwide.”
