By Kathryn Kelman/editor-in-chief
For the first time, Women in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration will hold a conference on South Campus Sept. 28.
WHVACR is a national organization that provides networking opportunities, mentoring and education for women in the HVACR industry.
“The entire TCC South community is proud to host this year’s Women in HVACR conference in our LEED platinum-certified Center of Excellence for Energy Technology,” instructor Chris Noonan said. “This conference will show our students and the community that there is more than just turning a wrench and fixing air conditioners.”
Participants can meet with industry professionals and explore career opportunities in the HVACR industry at the conference, Noonan said.
WHVACR chose to hold the conference at South this year after AC Supply Co. president and owner Randy Boyd suggested they consider holding the conference at the campus and take a tour, WHVACR president Julie Decker said.
“Chris Noonan directed the tour, and I was so impressed,” she said. “I could not wait to share with our board and set up the event.”
South is also committed to training new female technicians, which further enhances WHVACR’s legacy of empowering women to succeed, Decker said.
Each year, the conference has a theme that WHVACR carries throughout the conference and the year, Decker said.
“There will be special speakers throughout the day that have created a presentation revolving around our theme, ‘Discovering Your Legacy,’” she said. “We are using, ‘Discovering your legacy, building your legacy, protecting your legacy and empowering your legacy.’”
The speakers are diverse and include vice chancellor Elva LeBlanc, Fort Worth City Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray and TCC alumnus Melissa Santillan, who works in sales at AC Supply Co.
The keynote speaker is Elizabeth McCormick, a former Army Blackhawk pilot, Decker said.
“This diversity shows that women in male-dominated industries can be successful and have a tremendous impact for others,” she said.
A majority of the attendees will be from the HVACR industry, Decker said.
“We highly encourage female students to attend and learn more about our scholarship opportunities,” she said.
For more information or to register for the conference, go to www.WomenInHVACR.org.
