MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — After more than 60 years of dedicated service to the HVACR industry, Thomas M. Tebbe, a senior advisor and executive board member at HVAC Excellence who has been with the organization for 23 years, is retiring.
Throughout his remarkable career, Tebbe has worn many hats, demonstrating unwavering dedication to advancing HVACR education and technician training, a press release from HVAC Excellence said. Tebbe was the national programs director at HVAC Excellence from 2002 to 2016.
Tebbe’s other roles have included field technician, business owner, college instructor, curriculum developer, college administrator, and regional director of the Louisiana technical college system.
In each of these positions, he worked tirelessly to raise the standards of HVACR education, shape workforce development, and empower the next generation of professionals, the press release said.
Tebbe’s HVACR career began with the U.S. Air Force and Jefferson Technical School. His academic path continued with a bachelor of science degree in trade and industrial education and a master’s in educational administration and supervision, both from the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, Louisiana. He also earned professional distinction as a certified master HVACR educator (CMHE).
His national influence has been profound, the press release said. He led the development of national standards for HVACR education, advanced instructor credentialing, and championed programmatic accreditation to ensure quality and relevance in training. Through his advocacy and leadership, Tebbe has impacted thousands of instructors and students across the country, the press release said,
As national programs director for HVAC Excellence, Tebbe was instrumental in building and expanding systems that recognized instructional excellence, promoted continuous improvement, and ensured industry-relevant training.
Tebbe’s contributions have been widely recognized through numerous accolades, including being named Apprenticeship Man of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), receiving the Excellence in Education Award from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and being inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.
His commitment to service extended beyond the classroom to leadership roles in organizations such as the Louisiana Heat Pump Association and the Shreve Memorial Library board, as mayor and alderman of Ida, Louisiana, and as a member of the board of directors of the North Caddo Medical Center.
“Tom has played a vital role in developing the standards that have helped move our industry forward,” said Howard Weiss, president of HVAC Excellence and the ESCO Institute. “His passion for education and our mission has left a lasting impact. While we will greatly miss his presence in our daily operations, we are pleased that he will now have more time to spend with his devoted wife and loving family.”
“Tom always took the time to mentor new instructors,” said Randy Petit, a longtime colleague. “He believed in people even before they believed in themselves, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”