Interview copied from the January 2025 ASHRAE Insights Newsletter
Tiffany Bates Abruzzo joined ASHRAE in 2001 and has been an active member ever since. She is currently in technical sales and
resides in San Diego, California.
What is your current job?
Director of Engineering Sales at Envirosep, a full service engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in innovative, modular fluid handling and heat transfer systems and ASME TES Tanks & E-Houses. Envirosep is located in Georgetown, S.C.
What is your level of education?
Chemical Engineering graduate from Arizona State University 2001(transferred from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., 1994-1997).
Years of industry experience?
23 amazing years in the HVAC Industry and as an active ASHRAE member and volunteer.
What ASHRAE Chapter are you in?
Central Arizona, 2001-2011 and San Diego, 2011-present
What got you into the industry?
During my senior year of high school I was the only girl in my calculus and physics classes, so my helpful teachers recommended engineering as the proper major to pursue at Northeastern.
I bar tended & waitressed throughout HS & College so after graduating in the triple digit heat of Arizona, selling AC as a sales engineer seemed to be a logical career path. (Thank you, Brent
Snider!)
What got you involved in ASHRAE?
At my first job after ASU, my boss Dave Hart sent me to the local chapter meetings to learn about HVAC basics and meet all of the key players in the industry. I quickly realized how important HVAC&R is for our health and the key role it plays in making buildings more efficient and sustainable.
How have you been involved in ASHRAE?
As soon as I became a member I volunteered as the Welcome/Membership Chair and proceeded
through the officer positions in the Central Arizona Chapter to become chapter President in 2007-2008. This was the same year Kent Peterson was Society President. He introduced me
to the opportunities that regional and society participation could offer, so I served as Region X RP RVC for the next 6 years, then served on the Nominating Committee for Region X. When YEA
was started, I was already 35, so barely squeezed into Leadership University where I shadowed Ross Montgomery and met Ginger Scoggins in San Antonio at the annual meeting in 2012.
After that I had the opportunity to serve on the Society Honors & Awards Committee, RP Committee, and Development Committee and the honor to chair all three of these amazing
teams. Now I am the current TC 8.2 (Vapor Compression Cooling and Heat Pump Chillers) Vice Chair and San Diego Chapter RP Chair. In 2024 I had the honor of being on the first ever Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium steering committee with my dear friend and past Region X DRC, Karine LeBlanc. I am thrilled that this topical conference came to fruition, was a huge success, and will be an annual event. I still hope to become Region X DRC and eventually Society
President someday. I plan to always be an active member because I love it, and there are so many different ways to be involved.
What is your favorite part of ASHRAE and the industry?
The people and the continuous learning and connecting! I am happy to say that some of my best friends are total ASHRAE nerds and I love geeking out with them and brainstorming ways we can continuously improve our Society, industry and world while supporting each other.
What advice do you have to give to people starting out in the industry?
Join and become an active volunteer in ASHRAE as well as other professional organizations! We
need you. Your opinions are unique and valuable, and you can make a difference for the better no matter what stage you are in in your career. Try different things until you find what you love and then shine your light brightly by speaking up. You can teach us older people a lot. Plus, you will practice and become proficient at public speaking and running meetings efficiently (starting and stopping on time and always including an agenda are musts) while keeping on top of the
latest technologies and regulations in the process.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Every day is different. I love finding solutions by connecting the right people and technologies, travelling and meeting new amazing people and constantly learning so I can share my
knowledge with others.
What are the biggest challenges you see that the industry is facing?
Climate change and workforce development, which we are already tackling head on with ASHRAE’s guidance. Collaboration with each other and other organizations is key. We truly are stronger together and can make a difference when we take action and speak up. Please educate your families and communities (including politicians) about what our industry and ASHRAE do and the importance of sustainability—and please participate in national and local STEM initiatives!
What do you enjoy doing when you are away from work?
Volunteering for ASHRAE, of course! I also love yoga, meditating, reading (including Lucy’s Adventures to my daughter’s 1st grade class), walking to the beach, traveling and exploring with
family and friends, attending plays and concerts and helping my Ocean Beach community through serving food to those in need and beach clean-ups
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