SUWANEE, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 10, 2026--
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS), a leading supplier of all-electric, all-climate Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems, today announced that Mark Kuntz will retire as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 31, 2026. Andrew Kelso, METUS Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Kuntz as CEO. Kuntz will remain in an advisory role through a transition period, working closely with leadership, customers, distributors, and other partners to support a smooth transition.
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Kuntz concludes a 16‑year career with METUS marked by significant growth, innovation, and industry leadership. Among his many accomplishments, Kuntz helped deliver the first Target store to install CITY MULTI ® VRF systems, established the company’s first major national account, Kroger Co., and oversaw the formation of the Mitsubishi Electric–Ingersoll Rand (Trane) joint venture in 2018, which established METUS.
Kuntz also led the Solutions Design Center, advancing the company’s U.S.-focused engineering capabilities, and initiated the formation of the METUS Business Operating System as part of a values‑based LEAN transformation.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to work with a very talented team at METUS. Through their expertise and our shared commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, we’ve built a company that has helped change the course of the HVAC industry,” said Kuntz. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone on the METUS team for making that success possible, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow, lead, and deliver meaningful impact for our customers and the industry.”
A recognized industry advocate, Kuntz represented METUS on Capitol Hill, supporting policies that advance the adoption of all‑climate, variable‑capacity heat pump technology, including federal rebate and tax credit programs. He also played a leading role in navigating the A2L refrigerant transition, working with policymakers to help ensure a commercially sustainable transition for manufacturers and distributors.
“It’s amazing what Mark and his team have achieved over the last 16-plus years. His leadership and steadfast commitments to innovation, persistence and operational excellence have redefined what’s possible not only at METUS but across our entire family of companies,” said Mike Corbo, Executive Officer, Chief Representative of the Americas Region and President & CEO of Mitsubishi Electric US, Holdings. “I know I speak for everyone who has worked with and around Mark when I say how thankful we are for his tireless efforts to demonstrate that better is always possible.”
Having worked closely alongside Kuntz during many of the company’s most transformative years, Andrew Kelso brings deep institutional knowledge and a strong focus on disciplined execution, customer partnership, and long-term growth as he steps into the role of CEO. Kelso joined METUS in 2018 as CFO and became COO in 2022.
“METUS is entering its next phase from a position of strength. Thanks to Mark’s leadership and the work of our team, we have the right strategy, capabilities, and culture in place to continue expanding our leadership in all‑climate HVAC solutions,” said Kelso. “I am committed to building on that momentum as we move forward.”
About Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC
Formed in May 2018, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS) is a leading supplier of all-electric, all-climate Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems in the United States and Latin America.
A joint venture between Trane Technologies plc and Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., the company provides innovative products, systems, and solutions capable of heating and cooling a broad range of applications, from a home to a large commercial building with superior efficiency, comfort, and control.
The family of brands supported by METUS includes: Mitsubishi Electric, Trane ® /Mitsubishi Electric, and American Standard ® /Mitsubishi Electric. More information is available at https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/.
Andrew Kelso, METUS Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Mark Kuntz as CEO.
Mark Kuntz will retire as Chief Executive Officer, METUS, effective March 31, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are divided along party lines on U.S. military action against Iran, according to polls conducted since the war began, with most polls showing opposition is higher than support.
Polls suggest that many Americans are worried the military action is making the U.S. “less safe,” even as they see Iran as a threat to U.S. security. There are also warning signs for President Donald Trump as he confronts the possibility of a prolonged conflict that could come with significant economic turmoil. Trump gave conflicting messages on Monday about the war’s timeline, suggesting it could be near its end while also threatening additional force against Iran if the country disrupted the global flow of oil.
Fluctuating oil prices may already be alarming voters. Polls conducted over the weekend found a large majority of Americans are worried about the war causing oil and gasoline prices to rise. The vast majority expect the U.S. action against Iran will last at least “months,” if not longer.
Republicans are largely behind the president, a Republican, the polls show, but there are indications that they are wary of any response that would lead to U.S. troops on the ground in Iran. And after Trump campaigned on the pledge of putting “America first” and ending U.S. involvement in “forever wars,” the Iran conflict could become a particular point of friction.
About half of registered voters — 53% — oppose U.S. military action against Iran, according to a new Quinnipiac Poll conducted over the weekend. Only 4 in 10 support it, and about 1 in 10 are uncertain. A new Ipsos poll also found more disapprove than approve of the strikes.
That's similar to the results of text message snap polls from The Washington Post and CNN, both conducted shortly after the joint U.S.-Israel attacks began, which also indicated that more Americans rejected the military action than embraced it.
A recent Fox News poll found opinions more evenly divided: Half of registered voters approved of the U.S. military action, while half disapproved.
Several of the recent polls show a majority of Americans believe the Trump administration has not provided a clear explanation of the reasons behind the military strikes, and there are some divisions about whether Iran truly posed an “imminent and direct threat” to the United States, as the White House has said.
Most voters in the Quinnipiac poll — 55% — said they did not believe Iran posed an “imminent military threat” to the U.S. before the current military action. On the other hand, about 6 in 10 registered voters in the Fox News poll said Iran poses a “real national security threat,” and a recent AP-NORC poll found about half of U.S. adults were highly concerned that Iran’s nuclear program posed a direct threat to the U.S.
As oil prices oscillate, the vast majority of voters are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about oil and gasoline prices rising in the U.S., according to the Quinnipiac poll. Only about one-quarter of voters are “not so concerned” or “not concerned at all.”
The highest levels of concern are driven by Democrats and independents, but about half of Republicans are also at least somewhat concerned about the war increasing gas prices.
About two-thirds of Americans expect U.S. gas prices will “get worse” over the next year as a result of the U.S. military action, according to the Ipsos poll conducted March 6-9. Republicans were more likely to say gas prices would worsen than improve as a result of the war: 44% said they would get worse, while 26% expected they would improve. About 2 in 10 thought they would remain the same. Democrats and independents overwhelmingly expect gas prices will worsen.
On Monday, Trump said the U.S. would take further action against Iran if they made any attempt to stop the global oil supply.
As the Iran war spreads into the Middle East, many Americans also worry Trump's military decisions have made the U.S. less safe.
About half of voters in both the Quinnipiac and Fox News polls said the U.S. military action in Iran makes the U.S. “less safe,” while only about 3 in 10 in each poll said it made the country safer. The CNN poll found about half of U.S. adults thought the strikes would make Iran “more of a threat” to the U.S., while only about 3 in 10 thought it would lessen the danger.
About 6 in 10 U.S. adults said they trusted Trump “not much” or “not at all” to make the right decisions about the U.S. use of force in Iran, according to the CNN poll. Republicans expressed more trust in the president than Democrats or independents.
An AP-NORC poll conducted before the strikes similarly found that 56% of U.S. adults trusted Trump “only a little” or “not at all” to make the right decisions about the use of military force abroad.
Most voters are concerned about a possible expansion in the war’s scope.
About three-quarters of voters oppose the idea of sending ground troops into Iran, according to the Quinnipiac poll that was conducted after the deaths of six U.S. service members were announced. The death of a seventh service member was reported later..
The Trump administration has acknowledged the likelihood of American casualties, and has not ruled out sending American soldiers to Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that it was “foolishness” to expect U.S. officials to say publicly “here’s exactly how far we’ll go.”
Only about 2 in 10 in the Quinnipiac poll supported sending troops to Iran. Even among Republican voters, the poll found more oppose than support sending ground troops, 52% to 37%.
The new Ipsos poll found bipartisan concern that the U.S. military action would risk the lives of American military personnel. About 9 in 10 U.S. adults are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about this, including 86% or Republicans and 93% of Democrats.
Protesters wave Iranian flags and hold a portrait of the late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to support his selection as the new Iran's Supreme Leader in Baghdad, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
