Tag Archives: Training

23Jun/25

Most Recent Accredited Instructors

Uncategorized,

The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) is proud to recognize the individuals who successfully completed the June 2025 NORA Accredited Instructor Program (AIP). These dedicated professionals represent a broad cross-section of the liquid heating fuels industry and are now certified to deliver high-level technical training across the country.

The newly accredited instructors are:

  • Josh Dunton, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • Christopher Tooley, Stafford Technical Center
  • Isaac Phelps, R. W. Beckett
  • Richard Thompson, JP Keefe High School
  • Doug Zerbe, PPATEC
  • Raymond Conte, New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades
  • Josh Hodson, Advanced Trade School
  • Thomas Leonetti, Carlin/Hydrolevel

Training was conducted at NORA’s state-of-the-art Research & Education Center in Plainview, NY, under the expert guidance of professional education trainer Brenda Huber.

The NORA Accredited Instructor Program was created to raise the quality and effectiveness of technical education in the liquid heating fuels industry. Participants began the program by delivering prepared presentations, which were evaluated by both the instructor and fellow participants. This initial assessment served as a foundation for the program’s in-depth instructional development.

Throughout the course, participants were guided through advanced teaching methodologies designed to move beyond simple information delivery. The goal was to empower instructors to create dynamic, engaging, and effective learning experiences—ensuring that students not only understand the material but internalize and apply it with confidence.

In the liquid heating fuels industry, service professionals are often the primary point of contact with customers. Their expertise and communication directly influence customer perceptions of system efficiency, safety, renewable fuel adoption, and continued use of liquid fuel heating. The NORA AIP ensures that instructors are fully equipped to train these critical professionals to the highest standards.

23Jun/25

NORA Expands List of Accredited Technical Schools

Education, NORA, Online Courses, technology,

NORA is proud to announce the expansion of its list of participating technical schools offering the Bronze Technician Training as part of the NORA Technician Education Program. This initiative, which aims to enhance workforce development and strengthen the future of the liquid heating fuels industry, now includes several new institutions committed to excellence in HVAC and energy efficiency training.

NORA Certified Technical Schools certified in 2025

• JP Keefe High School, Van Buren, ME

• Advanced Trade School, Brentwood, NH

• D.F. Richard Energy, Dover, NH

• Palmer Gas & Oil, Atkinson, NH

• Stafford Technical Center, Rutland, VT

• Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Haverhill, MA

• Bristol Technical Education Center, Bristol, CT

• Norbert E Mitchell, Danbury, CT

• State University of NY (SUNY) at Morrisville, Morrisville, NY

The NORA Education Program is dedicated to promoting technical education and professional growth in the liquid heating fuels industry. By partnering with accredited technical schools, the program provides students and professionals with access to modern training resources, certifications, and hands-on experience with the latest heating technologies.

“We are excited to expand our network of technical schools to better serve students seeking careers in heating technologies,” said Bob O’Brien, Director of Education at NORA. “This growth supports our mission ensuring a well-trained workforce prepared for the evolving needs of the liquid heating fuel sector and its customers.”

With the addition of these new partner schools, NORA continues to prepare the next generation of technicians with tools and knowledge essential to maintaining and upgrading America’s home heating systems—particularly as the industry shifts toward low-carbon liquid fuels.

01Aug/24

Recent AIP Instructors Recognized

Biofuels, Education, NORA, technology, , , , ,
NORA is pleased to recognize the trainers who completed the second NORA Accredited Instructor Program (AIP), Nick Povio, Binsky Home Heating; John Ringel, Energy Kinetics; Marc Gilbert, Central Main Community College, Michael Elmer, PPATEC; Ed Wagner, J&K Sales; Joel Nawkson, FSI Oil & Propane; Raymond Conte, NH School of Mechanical Trades and Taylor Donlon,, Donlon Brothers at NORA’s Research & Education center in Plainview, NY, under the tutelage of professional education trainer Brenda Huber.

The NORA Accredited Instructor program was developed to ensure service professionals trained in NORA schools, unions, and by companies in the liquid heating fuels industry have been provided with an education that positions them, their customers, and their companies for success.

The service professionals in the liquid heating fuels industry are the first and most important contacts with customers. They are responsible not only for ensuring the heating system is operating at maximum efficiency, safety and reliability, but also with how customers perceive their liquid fuel heating, their adoption of renewable fuels and how comfortable they are with staying with their liquid fuel heating system. 

The program began with a prepared presentation by each of the participants. These were critiqued by the instructor as well as others in the class to establish a baseline. From there, the instructor took the participants through the teaching process to elevate their lessons from simply conveying facts to creating a meaningful total-learning experience for the students. The NORA Accredited Instructor program’s emphasis is to present the curriculum in such a way that students “own” the information and not just hear it. 

L to R: Ed Wagner, J&K Sales; Michael Elmer, PPATEC; Chris Grenier, J&K Sales; Joel Nawkson, FSI Oil & Propane; Bob O’Brien, NORA; Brenda Huber, Instructor; Nick Povio, Binsky Home Services, Taylor Donlon, Donlon Brothers; Marc Gilbert, Central Main Community College and John Ringel, Energy Kinetics, Inc.
More about NORA’s Accredited Instructor Program

Hear what they have to say about NORA’s AIP

01Aug/24

NORA to Contribute to Exploring Biodiesel Seminar

Biofuels, Carbon Reduction, Education, Equipment, NORA, Research, technology, , , , ,

XBX|Exploring Biodiesel series of seminars will continue August 21 at the New England Aquarium, Boston, MA.

This session, Navigating the Future, will center around the core questions that middle distillate supply chain participants must address to ensure a successful transition to low-carbon renewable biofuels, including:

  • Is the production of bio-based diesel fuels scalable to meet demand in existing and emerging markets while still being economically viable?
  • Is our infrastructure robust and reliable?
  • Are we effectively communicating our decarbonization story to the public?
  • What is the cost of inaction?

NORA, whose mission is to remove carbon emissions from home heating, will be represented on two panel discussions.

Nora’s president, Michael Devine, will be part of a panel discussion titled “Operational Integration, Getting Ready to Roll” about preparing customer-facing representatives to effectively communicate the benefits of low-carbon liquid fuels to end users and what, if any, operational transitions might be needed.

Dr. Jenny Frank, NORA Research Associate, will contribute to the panel discussion “Monetizing the Transition” which will examine the financial aspects of adopting advanced renewable fuels.

Registration and more detailed information for August 21 in Boston can be found here.

Additionally, XBX|Navigating the Future will host another seminar on October 15 in Lancaster, PA.

More about XBX at exploringbiofuels.com