TACCA's First Woman President - Celebrating Women's History Month

The Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association is a group made up of many unique contractors, each with their own story about how they got to where they are today. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we sat down with Stephanie Marquard with Kingwood Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., TACCA’s first female president.

TACCA: Stephanie, you have the distinction of being the first woman elected to lead the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association 25 years ago in 1996. Before we talk about that, though, I’m always curious to learn about our members and what inspired them to get into the HVAC business. Can you tell us a little about the Marquard family?

SM: Growing up in Galveston in a family-owned seafood business prepared me in many ways to become what I am today, a business owner. As it was a “family” business, my brothers, sisters, and I were expected to work together with my Mom and Dad to make the business a success. And it was! I learned that nothing is free, knowledge is power and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. My parents were undoubtedly the hardest working, most loving, and generous people I know. They encouraged me to take on challenges that I never thought I could do, especially when I went into the HVAC business. To this day, my biggest inspiration is my Mom and Dad.

TACCA: Your parents sound amazingly supportive. What started you on your pathway to become a licensed contractor?

SM: I knew that there were not very many women in the HVAC business. I also knew there were even fewer who were the primary/majority owners of the business and of those a slight number had a license. That’s when I decided I had to obtain a license. I studied for the test, drove to Austin, took the test in 1990, and the rest is history!

TACCA: Although the number of female HVAC contractors is growing, it’s still a pretty small percentage. What has it been like working in a traditionally male industry?

SM: Working in a traditionally male industry has been very interesting. Since I am fiercely competitive, I was driven from day one to become the best contractor that I could be. There were days that I asked myself “What am I doing in this business?” But it was soon overshadowed by “This is where I belong!” Overall, it has been a very gratifying experience. I think I have earned the respect of my fellow contractors and I respect them. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

TACCA: Fiercely competitive and driven seem to have been a very successful combination for you! As an HVAC contractor/owner, what are the biggest challenges that you face today that you never expected to encounter early on in your career?

SM: The biggest challenge I face, as well as many other contractors I know, is the shortage of qualified install and service technicians. We have tried interning students from local community colleges, proprietary schools, and ex-military men and women, as well as implementing our own training program which is awfully expensive. Many school districts are re-introducing the “trades” program which will help ease the pain but not for a long time.

TACCA: We’ve already mentioned that you were elected to serve as TACCA’s first female president in 1996. What motivated you to serve on the TACCA board of directors and eventually become the first female leader of the association?

SM: I had become very involved with TACCA Greater Houston (formerly Air Conditioning Council of Greater Houston) and served on different committees before I rose through the ranks and became the first female president of ACCGH in 1993. It was a very rewarding experience, and I gained an abundance of knowledge working with some of the finest contractors I have ever known. From there I was appointed to serve on the board of TACCA. In 1996, I was elected the first female president of TACCA. It was a historic event, at least in my mind and again what I earned was a plethora of friends and a wealth of information about our great industry. It was the best of times.

TACCA: You really paved the way for women leaders following your footsteps. Who inspires you and why?

SM: My parents, my brothers, sisters, and my husband. They encourage and support me no matter what. They are awesome.

TACCA: Your company has received several awards, including the 1996 Residential Contractor of the Year from Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Lennox Centurion Award for Outstanding Dealer Performance, and the Women of Achievement Entrepreneur Award from the Family Time Foundation. To what do you credit this recognition?

SM: The HVAC industry has been very good to me and I credit a lot of what I have done to ACCA, TACCA and TACCAGH, and the outstanding contractors associated with them. I would also include my parents for being who they were and supporting and believing in me throughout my entire career.

TACCA: In your career you must have seen a lot. What’s the funniest or most memorable thing you’ve witnessed on a job site?

SM: In 1992, President George H. W. Bush was moving to Houston and building a home. When I heard the news, I immediately fired off a letter to let him know that I (Kingwood Air Conditioning & Heating) would be honored to install a state-of-the-art HVAC system for him, and at a reduced rate of course! I never imagined that my letter would ever reach him or that I would actually hear from him, but I did. In January 1993, I received a letter from George H. W. Bush with the presidential seal thanking me for my interest in his home and that he would pass on my information to the general contractor for consideration. I have that letter framed and is on the wall in my office. Great memory!

TACCA: That is a great memory! I’m curious, what three books have you read recently that you would recommend to a friend?

SM: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles; Educated by Tara Westover; Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I would sincerely recommend all three but A Gentleman in Moscow has a little bit of everything – politics, espionage, romance…

TACCA: What would you say to encourage young women to look into HVAC as a genuine career option?

SM: I would encourage young women to become part of the HVAC industry. They need to believe that they can do whatever they set their mind to and that they don’t have to fit into a specific role. Women can bring a great value and perspective to our industry. Be tenacious and be bold.

TACCA: Stephanie, with your tenacity and boldness you have led by example and I know we all hope to see more women join and lead in this industry. Thank you for your passion and dedication to the HVAC industry and to TACCA.

Stephanie and Kevin Marquard are the owners of the Original Kingwood Air Conditioning and Heating in Kingwood, Texas. where their goal is to provide customers with the highest quality products, service and installation through a team of experts dedicated to providing unsurpassed customer service.