Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA)
Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) aims to connect and support young professionals within the ASHRAE society and the broader engineering community. Whether you're new to the capital region or looking to expand your professional network, NCC ASHRAE YEA events offer opportunities to meet other young professionals and take part in engaging events. If you are an ASHRAE member under the age of 35, you're automatically enrolled!
Meet Your YEA Chairs
Joe Stephens is a Sales Representative with Victaulic, bringing seven years of experience in the HVAC industry. He graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering and earned an MBA with a focus on International Business from Bellevue University in 2022.
Over the course of his career, Joe has excelled at combining technical knowledge with a practical understanding of client needs. His experience has helped him build strong professional relationships and contribute to successful projects in the HVAC field.
In his free time, Joe combines his love for adventure and discovery through snowboarding, martial arts, and exploring unique restaurants. These hobbies reflect his curiosity and commitment to personal growth, traits that also define his professional approach.
Andrew Taylor is a Mechanical Engineer at WSP, specializing in building HVAC system design. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and two minors, one in Manufacturing Systems and the other in Criminal Justice. He currently serves as a YEA co-chair for NCC ASHRAE and as a Developing Professional Network Regional Liaison within WSP.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, whether that's sailing in the summer, hiking, running, and after work recreational sports like volleyball, kickball, and flag football! He's a life long New England sports fan since he was raised in Massachusetts!
Technical Resources
YEA provides access to a wealth of technical resources, including:
- Publications on best practices and innovations in HVAC&R.
- Guidelines for energy-efficient design and implementation.
- Access to webinars and training materials relevant to the HVAC&R industry.
Upcoming YEA Events
YEA Nationals Game
Join the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) group to cheer on the Washington Nationals as they take on the Chicago Cubs! The game will take place on Thursday, August 13th at 4:05 P.M. Nationals Park is accessible via the Blue, Orange, or Silver Metro Lines that run from the Rosslyn Metro Station (~45 minutes) or Uber and Lyfts are alternative options (~20 minutes). Ticket costs are $5.
YEA Happy Hour: Professional Licenses
YEA invites you to a happy hour to meet fellow engineers and YEA members in the Mid Atlantic. The theme of this meeting will be about Professional Licenses (including but not limited to PE, FE, LEED GA, etc) we invite anyone who has recently passed or is interested in taking one of these exams in the future!
Fall YEA Site visit
Join YEA for a technical tour of a recently completed building in the DMV!
October 2026 Chapter Meeting: YEA/WiA/DiA
Monthly chapter meeting for October, themed around YEA/WiA/DiA.
Event Requests and Feedback
Have an event idea you'd like YEA to do, or do you have any other questions about YEA please use the form below or email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]!
Photos From Past YEA Events
Past YEA Events
YEA Board Room Happy Hour - Spring 2026
Want to learn more about HVAC in brewing? Join the ASHRAE NCC YEA at the Board Room VA for a Brewmaster Q&A and Happy Hour! During this event attendees will learn about how HVAC plays a vital role in the brewing process! Afterward the Q&A, stick around for board games and casual networking!
YEA Professional Headshot Social - Fall 2025
Need a fresh professional headshot?
Join ASHRAE and DBIA for a social networking event featuring a professional photographer on-site for two hours. Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn, Teams, or company profile, this is the perfect chance to refresh your image while connecting with peers in the industry.
YEA Ice Skating & Happy Hour with AEI - Spring 2025
YEA Southland Industries Fab Shop Tour - Fall 2024
Join the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) for a morning at Southland Industries Fabrication Facility. Shop Tour + Shop Activities and Who is Southland? What it is we do and walk through the benefits of modular construction and the benefits of involving fabrication partners into the design process.
YEA DC United Soccer Game - Fall 2024
YEA Facility Tour at Georgetown University - Summer 2024
Join the Young Engineers in ASHRAE for a presentation and tour by Georgetown Energy Partners! Georgetown Energy Partners is a partnership between Georgetown University, Engie North America, and Axium Infrastructure to modernize and manage the university's utility systems. The partnership has three overarching goals:
- Maintain safe and efficient operations of Georgetown’s utility infrastructure
- Fund and implement sustainable modernization projects while supporting the university’s efforts in environmental stewardship
- Engage the Georgetown University community in these operational and stewardship activities.
The facilities and engineering team from Georgetown and Engie will be hosting ASHRAE YEA for a behind the scenes look at the ongoing project to reduce campus wide energy-use intensity by 35 Percent by 2031. The improvements include:
- Lighting Upgrades
- Building Energy System Optimization
- Underground Infrastructure Replacement
- Campus Steam System Repairs and Enhancements
- Smart Meter Installation
- Cooper Field Utility Enhancements
YEA Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden Spring 2024
ASHRAE NCC and AEI DC are collaborating to host an ice skating event at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden on Thursday, February 22nd. Prior to ice skating, we will meet at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern for a happy hour.
Decarb Conference - YEA Happy Hour and Tour - Winter 2023
Tour: Lubber Run Community Center! Featuring net-zero energy design and a landscape-focused approach to the surrounding park, Lubber Run Community Center offers a holistic response to an urban challenge – ultimately creating public space that is greater and greener for residents.