George W. “Billy” Austin, Jr. has devoted more than 40 years to the building industry, developing a career that uniquely bridges the perspectives of contractor, engineer, consultant, and business leader. His experience spans the full breadth of disciplines represented within ASHRAE and the broader built environment, including manufacturing design, electrical distribution construction, mechanical contracting, HVAC service and sales, healthcare system design, commissioning, energy auditing, energy modeling, forensic evaluation, and firm ownership. This diverse background provides him with a comprehensive and practical understanding of how building systems perform—from initial concept and design through construction, operation, and long-term performance.

Billy is Principal Partner of Shultz Engineering Group (SEG), a North Carolina-based consulting engineering firm founded in 1976. Since becoming Principal in 2007, he has led the firm in delivering mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services for a wide range of project types, including military and government facilities, higher education campuses, healthcare institutions, K-12 schools, municipal buildings, laboratories, industrial facilities, multifamily developments, and commercial buildings. His work encompasses the full project lifecycle, including design documentation, specifications, commissioning, energy assessments, ASHRAE Level I–III energy audits, energy modeling, cost analysis, and project estimating. Under his leadership, SEG has built a reputation for responsiveness, technical excellence, strong quality control, and practical, client-focused solutions.

Earlier in his career, Billy served as a design engineer with General Dynamics in Ontario, California, where he designed advanced cryogenic cooling systems for infrared detector chips used in heat-seeking missile technology. His responsibilities included development of design drawings and test procedures, management of prototype testing, and presentations to U.S. armed forces personnel. He later spent eight years as Vice President of United Mechanical Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he managed HVAC service operations, led system design and pricing efforts, developed and delivered technical training programs, and oversaw customer relations, sales, and strategic planning.

Billy also held senior design engineering roles with Peterson Associates and Mechanical Contractors, Inc., both in Charlotte, where he focused on HVAC and plumbing system design and contracting for hospitals, office buildings, schools, laboratories, and industrial facilities. His responsibilities included specifications, equipment coordination, cost analysis, project estimating, and inspections, providing him with a strong foundation in both consulting engineering and design-build project delivery.

Billy earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1986, graduating cum laude. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi and MENSA. He holds professional engineering licenses in 40 states and maintains numerous advanced professional credentials, including all eight ASHRAE certifications (BCxP, BEAP, BEMP, CDP, CHD, HBDP, HFDP, and OPMP), as well as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Plumbing Designer (CPD), and LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C). He is also a licensed mechanical contractor in North Carolina (H-1, H-2, and H-3 classifications) and holds multiple mechanical journeyman certifications.

Billy is a highly active and respected leader within ASHRAE, with almost 40 years of service at the chapter, regional, and Society levels. His leadership roles have included ASHRAE Society Vice President, Board of Directors, Planning Committee Chair, Certification Committee Chair, Membership Promotion Chair, and Chairs of TC7.1 (Integrated Building Design) and TC7.2 (HVAC&R Construction and Design Build Technologies). He has also served as Director and Regional Chair (DRC), Regional Vice Chair (RVC), and in most chapter leadership roles, including Chapter President. He currently serves as Chair of the ASHRAE Vision 2035 Ad Hoc Committee, helping guide the long-term strategic direction of the Society.

His contributions to the industry and to ASHRAE have been recognized through numerous honors, including election to ASHRAE Fellow, the Distinguished Service Award, Exceptional Service Award, Government Affairs Award, and the William J. Collins Research Promotion Award. He has also received multiple regional awards for leadership and performance, along with 14 ASHRAE Region Excellence in Technology Awards for project achievements.

Billy has contributed to the advancement of industry knowledge through his involvement as an author and contributor to key ASHRAE publications, including the ASHRAE Applications Handbook and Certification Study Guides. He is also a frequent speaker and educator, delivering technical presentations and training seminars on topics such as building system performance, energy efficiency, commissioning, decarbonization, and lessons learned from real-world system challenges.

Throughout his career, Billy has remained deeply committed to improving the performance, efficiency, and reliability of building systems. His work reflects a balance of technical rigor and practical experience, enabling him to deliver solutions that are not only code-compliant and energy-efficient, but also constructible, maintainable, and aligned with the long-term needs of building owners and operators. He is equally committed to mentoring, leadership development, and strengthening relationships across the built environment community.

Outside of his professional activities, Billy enjoys golf, fishing, weightlifting, skiing, and following professional and collegiate sports, including NBA and NCAA basketball, NFL football, Major League Baseball, and PGA golf. He is also active in his church and values opportunities for community involvement and service.