Able Tas man

Able Tas man

Chris Wright, M.AIRAH, is a director of HVAC&R contractor TCM, based in Moonah, a northern suburb of Hobart.

Responsibilities

I have worked at TCM for 41 years and have been an active director for 35 years. My work involves practical design checking and equipment selection for our projects, day-to-day managing of the business, estimating and proposals, and managing the final commissioning of the installations.

Passions

I am passionate about our mechanical services contracting Industry for the opportunities it has given me over the past 50 years; for the AMCA, our industry association; for the TAB Industry group TACA, with the exciting opportunities ahead for a very committed group of Australia-wide commissioning people. I also have a passion for my family, my four grandchildren, and I love the mighty Geelong Cats.

Finest professional hour

Too many to name, but my term as the first Tasmanian to be the AMCA national president, my admission to the ARBS Hall of fame in 2022, my role as NEBB Australia and now TACA chairman for the past 13 years is up there, along with the great 41 years at TCM shared with Angus MacLeod who founded the company in 1967, Todd Booth, Affil.AIRAH, who joined us in 2000, and new shareholders Dan Bell and Justin McNeill, along with a wonderful team of talented tradesmen and technicians.

Important lessons

I am very big on the team approach, and with a long family history in footy I have learnt that team culture and personality is what a business is  all about. We employ on instinct and the feeling that this person will fit in to our team. Our associations AIRAH, AMCA and TACA are very important to promote and develop our industry, and they bring everyone together to help develop the best training models.

Whom do you most admire?

My mum Margaret, who is 94 and going strong, and my family. Also, Brother Bill Wilding, my matric physics teacher and mentor.

Dream sabbatical

I have already been on many of mine but in the future a nice Tasmanian east coast beach trip, and a cruise across northern Australia would be great.

What is your motto?

Someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to.” I do have another good one from my Grandfather’s diary, June 30, 1912 on my wall at work: “Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can, Never found in a woman, Seldom in a man.” And I am patient.

Greatest personal achievement

Raising five great kids, 18 years and still going on my old school, St Virgil’s College, Advisory Council, Life Member of the Hobart Football Club, and the recent admission to ARBS Hall of Fame.

Favourite book

I am a fan of the Lee Child books and Jack Reacher, Ian Flemming’s Bond series, and my daughter convinced me to read all of the Harry Potter books.

Favourite film

Bond, James Bond, and don’t mind a chick flick.

Favourite website

Geelong Footy Club, www.geelongcats.com.au and of course AIRAH, www.airah.org.au

How would you describe yourself?

Just like my Grandfather Bresnehan according to my mum, very laidback, enjoy the small things in life, dotes on family especially my grandkids Teddy, four; and Daphne, two; Freddy, one; and Alfie, six months. Love the water, I’m a passionate Tasmanian, and I love seeing those around me succeed.

Define success

Contentment and being able to give, seeing friends and people I work with living their dreams.

What does AIRAH membership mean to you?

I have been a member since 1982 and have always appreciated the quality of technical resources provided by AIRAH. Seminars and training programs provided by AIRAH are always supported by my company, together with the bringing together socially of the industry.

Eco Aug-Sept

This article appears in ecolibrium’s August-September 2023 issue

Want to read more?

AIRAH MEMBERS

Click here to view our archive of issues and features.

NON-MEMBERS

Become an AIRAH member or subscribe to Ecolibrium.

Breakfast of champions

Breakfast of champions

At the recent Women of AIRAH breakfast, attendees were challenged to be agents of change for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector."Are you a morning person?” asked presenter Lisa Martello at the Women of AIRAH breakfast, held before the second day’s...

Seeking star performers

Seeking star performers

Awards, celebrating distinguished contributions in Australia’s HVAC&R and building services sector. Awards are handed out in six categories: young achiever, product excellence, software/digital excellence, project excellence, outstanding industry...

Red revolution

Red revolution

M3 Melbourne is one of two data centres in the Victorian capital that are set to house Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cloud ecosystem. Constructed by Kapitol Group, M3 Melbourne, a 100,000m² data centre in West Footscray, and M2 Melbourne, a 16,000m² data...

The heat is on

The heat is on

An El Niño weather event has been declared, amid realisation that 2023 appears likely to be the hottest year on record. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has formally declared an El Niño weather event, meaning one is under way for the first time in eight years. El...

One smart building, please

One smart building, please

Desiring to use actionable data from our buildings is undoubtedly a good thing. To effectively do this, however, defining terms and allocating responsibility for tasks is essential – especially when the “smarts” from our edifices exist in the space between systems.

Powering a smarter future

Powering a smarter future

What role does data play in the electrification of buildings? With a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence and the interaction with the electricity grid, a panel at AIRAH’s recent Building Date Forum explored this fascinating topic.

ARBS

Advertisement