David Toombs, general manager of Citizens Thermal Energy, a Division of
Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, was presented the prestigious Norman R.
Taylor Award by the International District Energy Association during the
organization’s 99th
annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Citizens Thermal Energy is the owner
and operator of the district steam and chilled-water systems in
Indianapolis.
The award is the highest distinction IDEA can confer on an individual as “Person
of the Year,” recognizing that person's career
achievements and contributions to the association and the district
energy and combined heat and power industries. IDEA's 2007-2008 Chair
Bob Smith, Vice President of RMF Engineering, Inc. of Baltimore, Md.,
presented the award.
“The Norm Taylor Award stands for exceptional
leadership – a quality shared by the award’s
namesake and David Toombs,” said Smith. “With
Toombs as General Manager, Citizens Thermal has become one of the world’s
pre-eminent district energy organizations, thanks to his industry
knowledge, sound energy planning and engineering expertise. He is highly
respected by his colleagues for the strategic vision, generous and
caring mentorship, and the enthusiasm he has contributed to IDEA. Under
his leadership and guidance, many other professionals in our industry
have developed and flourished.”
Award recipients are selected annually by a committee comprised of IDEA
members and industry peers. The award was named for Norman R. Taylor,
who was IDEA's president from 1977 to 1978, and executive director from
1980 until he passed away in 1986. He was known for boldly setting
goals, preparing for the future and treating individuals with genuine
kindness.
Toombs first joined IDEA in the 1970s. He is serving a three-year term
on the 21-member IDEA board of directors. As the general manager of
Citizens Thermal Energy, he is responsible for administration,
operations and maintenance of the steam business and two chilled-water
businesses.
Toombs previously held management posts with district energy systems in
Nashville, Tenn.; Cleveland, Youngstown and Akron, Ohio; Baltimore;
Philadelphia; Boston; and St. Louis. He is experienced in operations
involving the combustion of solid waste, medical waste, wood and other
biomass fuels, coal, natural gas, residual, distillate and waste fuel
oils and, most recently, coke-oven gas.
About the International District Energy Association
The International District Energy Association (IDEA), with headquarters
near Boston, Mass, is a non-profit association with more than 1,000
district heating and cooling executives, managers, engineers,
consultants and equipment suppliers from 25 countries. IDEA’s
mission is to support the growth and utilization of district energy as a
means of increasing energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, and
leveraging the use of sustainable energy resources to improve the global
environment.
IDEA serves as an industry clearinghouse for business, technical and
policy issues, and supports the district energy industry with technical
training, peer exchange and consumer education and outreach. IDEA has
held an annual conference and trade show for 99 consecutive years since
its founding in June 1909.
For more on IDEA, go to www.districtenergy.org.
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