ARBS is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Directors to its Board: Chris Stamatis and Elizabeth Paparo.

Chris Stamatis is Managing Director of CopperTree Analytics Australia and a current board member of AIRAH, where he also chairs the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee. With more than 15 years’ experience across mechanical design, building automation and digital transformation, Chris brings deep technical knowledge and governance expertise to ARBS.

“I’m pleased to join the ARBS board and contribute to an organisation that’s so important to our industry,” Chris says. “I’m looking forward to helping ARBS drive more collaboration across the sector and increase visibility on all the great work the HVAC&R industry does. The industry is evolving rapidly with new technologies and ARBS has a key role in bringing together the innovations and people that can strengthen our industry’s profile and foster better collaboration.”

Elizabeth Paparo, Marketing Manager at Beijer Ref Australia, represents ARWA on the Board and brings over 30 years of B2B communications and marketing experience in the construction industry, including 17 years in the HVAC&R sector. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and is a member of AIRAH. Elizabeth has been closely involved with ARBS since 2010, supporting stand development and event delivery and is also a champion for skills development through the Kirby Apprentice Fund and Beijer Ref Training Academy.

“I’m honoured to bring my marketing and wholesale experience to the ARBS Board,” says Elizabeth. “With a strong understanding of our sector and customer base, I’m excited to help drive initiatives that strengthen the industry and promote learning, collaboration and community.”

These changes coincide with the stepping down of long-serving Board member Bryon Price, Strategic Development Director at A.G. Coombs Group, who has served on the ARBS Board for over a decade. Bryon has played an instrumental role in guiding ARBS through significant milestones. 

“It has been an eventful period and there are many ARBS achievements to be pleased with. These include the ongoing growth and success of the ARBS Exhibition notwithstanding the challenges of the COVID-19 period, the ability of the ARBS Exhibition to underpin the ongoing work of the ARBS Foundation and the establishment in 2012 and subsequent success of the ARBS Seminar Program,” said Bryon.

Bryon will continue to support the ARBS Seminar Committee, contributing to the ongoing success of this important knowledge-sharing platform.

Prof. Tony Arnel, Chair of ARBS, says, “Bryon has made an exceptional contribution to ARBS and the broader HVAC&R industry. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his unwavering commitment and continued involvement through our committees. I am also pleased to welcome Chris and Elizabeth to the Board. Their sector knowledge and diverse expertise will help to ensure ARBS serves as a unifying force and trusted platform for industry development and connection.”

ARBS thanks Bryon Price for his service and ongoing support and welcomes the valuable perspectives that Chris Stamatis and Elizabeth Paparo bring to the Board. Their appointments further strengthen ARBS’s role in championing innovation, collaboration and excellence across the HVAC&R and building services sectors.