Lee Smith promoted to director of product, engineering and applications; Chris Bellshaw named product manager. 

Daikin AC (Americas), Inc. announced the promotion of Lee Smith to director of product, engineering, and applications, and named Chris Bellshaw product manager. 

 In this newly created position, Smith will be responsible for the future direction and execution of the Daikin residential and commercial HVAC product portfolio available in North America. This multi-faceted position also includes all product support documentation, industry and regulatory issues, applications support, training development and the development of sales tools. In his new role, Smith will report directly to Russell Tavolacci, vice president. According to Tavolacci, the decision to promote Smith was simple for Daikin AC. “Lee has shown significant leadership in the establishment of Daikin in the U.S. and Canada coupled with extensive product and engineering knowledge gained from a successful career at Daikin UK and other European manufacturers before joining Daikin in the U.S. in 2004.” 
Smith’s professional background began as an air conditioning system design engineer and since joining Daikin he has served in a variety of responsibilities covering sales management, engineering, product development, technical support, training, corporate planning and business strategy. He brings to the role significant experience in the European and North American HVAC markets. Smith is an active member of ARI and has almost 15 years experience in the HVACR industry spanning the unitary and  commercial/industrial markets. His product background spans residential and light commercial split systems, and applied VRF and central systems. Smith is a time served electrical engineering apprentice and also holds a HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.

Bellshaw will be responsible for the development of Daikin’s product introduction to the North American markets. He also provides assistance with ARI and ASHRAE regulatory issues and provides application support to Daikin’s new and existing customers.

Bellshaw reports to Smith. “Chris has been a very successful member of the Daikin team since his transfer from our offices in the United Kingdom. His knowledge of our products and applications is essential to our continued success in North America,” said Smith. “In his new role Chris will transfer his extensive experience into addressing the U.S. market needs to realize future generations of Daikin products.”

Bellshaw joined Daikin in 2002 in the U.K. and has served in internal sales, application support and consulting engineer sales. In 2005, he transferred to the U.S. to continue his role in North America. Bellshaw began his career in the HVAC industry in 1995 working for a D-B contractor. He installed, serviced and commissioned VRF and split systems. He holds a HVAC Associates Degree from North Glasgow College, Scotland.