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About the Authors
Andrew D. Althouse received his engineer-
ing degree from the University of Michigan. He was
the Assistant Director of the Vocational Education
Department at Cass Technical High School in Detroit
and later became the Supervisor of Vocational
Education for Detroit. As a leader in the field, he and his
coauthor Carl Turnquist created one of the first train-
ing programs in refrigeration while at Cass Technical
High School. Andy, as he was known, created the first
technical training course in refrigeration for industry.
The instructional materials used in this first course
became the foundation for the textbook Modern Electric
and Gas Refrigeration, which was published in 1933.
Mr. Althouse was a Member of the American Society
of Refrigerating Engineers.
Carl H. Turnquist earned his engineering degree
from Wayne State University in Detroit and, along
with Mr. Althouse, developed one of the earliest train-
ing programs to provide instruction for mechanical
refrigeration for the automotive industry and for rail-
road passenger cars. With industry support, Carl’s pro-
gram flourished as the demand for skilled technicians
in this new field expanded. The Modern Electric and Gas
Refrigeration book was revised every three to five years
as new equipment was developed. The title of the book
was eventually changed to Modern Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning. Mr. Turnquist was an Associate
Member of the American Society of Refrigerating
Engineers.
Alfred Bracciano received a bachelor of science
degree in Industrial Education with Certification in
Vocational Education from Wayne State University
in Michigan. He also earned a master’s degree in
Secondary Education and a Specialist degree in
Administration and Supervision.
Mr. Bracciano was employed as a teacher of
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning for twelve years.
He then became Director of Career and Technical
Education for Warren Consolidated Schools in
Warren, Michigan. He taught Community Resources
Workshops for Michigan State University and pre-
sented at conferences throughout the country.
Mr. Bracciano is a life member of the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE), Refrigeration Service Engineers
Society (RSES), Association for Career and Technical
Education (ACTE), and the American Technical
Education Association (ATEA).
Dan Bracciano graduated from Oakland
University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with a bach-
elor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He
began his career in HVACR at the Warren Schools
Career Center, graduating in HVACR, and worked in
the HVACR field performing air conditioning installa-
tions and domestic and commercial refrigeration, heat-
ing and air-conditioning service.
Dan has over twenty-five years of experience
working in design development and manufacture of
HVAC systems for General Motors, Mitsubishi Climate
Control, and Alternative Energy Corporation. Dan
is currently a Chief Product Engineer—HVAC for
Chrysler LLC. He holds several patents in the field,
including a patent for a Modular Hermetic HVAC
system. Dan is a member of the American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) and is a member of the Interior
Climate Control Steering Committee of the Mobile Air
Conditioning Society (MACS).
Gloria Bracciano received a bachelor’s degree
in Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum and
Instruction, and an education specialist degree in
Administrative Leadership. She completed course-
work in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration through Oakland and Macomb
Community Colleges.
Ms. Bracciano has worked in the field of education
for over twenty-five years and has held positions as both
university professor and administrator. Currently, she
is the Provost of Gulliver Schools. Ms. Bracciano spe-
cializes in development and implementation of inno-
vative curriculums and has presented at local, state,
and national conferences. Ms. Bracciano is a member
of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and
Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE), Refrigeration Service
Engineers Society (RSES), the American Technical
Education Association (ATEA), and the Association for
Career and Technical Education (ACTE).