Curt Picard is a 40 year veteran in the HVAC industry and Vice President of Strategic Asset Management at Brinco Mechanical Management Services, Inc. He is a past PRSM Charter Member, formerly served on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, and was the 2013 Vendor of the Year and 2019 Service Excellence Award winner. Curt has presented many educational sessions throughout his 25 years of active membership with the organization.

Ron Prager is a mechanical engineer and a certified HVAC technician, and is currently the Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer of Brinco Mechanical Management Services, Inc. He is an industry expert with over 40 years of experience in the area of commercial HVAC repair, maintenance, and replacement. During Ron’s career, he has been responsible for the supervision of thousands of replacement projects and repairs. He has authored numerous published magazine articles and has developed more than 15 technical presentations for ConnexFM over the past 24 years. Ron is a past PRSM board member and past co-chair of the education and awards committees. He was also the recipient of the 2009 PRSM Vendor of the Year Award, the 2008 Service Excellence Award, and the 2024 ConnexFM Lawrence Whelan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ken Pantin has more than 55 years in the refrigeration and HVAC industry. His knowledge and work have been from small window units to large 600-ton centrifugal chillers. After serving in the Air Force Ken worked as a technician for different companies in the greater Houston area, while teaching HVAC at the local community college at night.

In 1983 Ken and his Wife Sharon opened Blue Northern Air Conditioning, Inc., during this time operating the company Ken has multiple design build projects and assisted MEP’s on equipment design.
Ken and Sharon retired in 2002 and their Son Thomas Pantin has taken over the operation and management of Blue Northern. Ken has retired, but he is still assisting and consulting with Architects and Engineers on current projects.

Ken was diligent in teaching hands on training classes to Facility Managers for ConnexFM in many states over the years.

Thomas Pantin is the owner of Blue Northern Services LLC, with over 33 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Thomas is recognized on the national level with Facility Managers of his overall knowledge of HVAC, controls, air and water balancing, along with the ability to troubleshoot and solve the most difficult challenges.

Thomas started out as a helper, then a Service Technician, Service Manager and is now the Owner of Blue Northern Services LLC, holding a class A license in the State of Texas.

Thomas has factory training and is certified by the top HVAC manufacturers. He continues to enjoy educating Facility Managers with a hands-on approach in his presentations.
In 2002 Blue Northern was awarded Vendor and Educator of the year at the ConnexFM's National Convention.