When Tom Bettcher was named chairman of Emerson Climate Technologies this past summer, it culminated an almost natural progression through various management and leadership positions within Emerson Electric, a $24.8 billion a year global manufacturing and technology company.

The industry veteran came to the company in 1977 as manager for new product development at Emerson Electric. That then led to vice presidential positions within Emerson divisions such as White-Rodgers, Emerson Motors, and Copeland. By 1998, he was president and chief executive officer of Copeland (now Emerson Climate Technologies) as well as executive vice president of Emerson Electric, leading to his current role as chairman of Emerson Climate Technologies and remaining EVP of Emerson Electric.

As chairman, Bettcher said he will “focus primarily on strategic planning and organizational development,” a new role that suits the Emerson leader.

Bettcher has seen much success through his years with Emerson, which has been credited to his efforts, open communication style, and strategic approach.

His ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the needs of the HVACR market and his involvement in the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) demonstrate his commitment to the industry as a whole. Bettcher has served as the AHRI chairman of the board, and member of the executive committee, government affairs, and education committee.

Currently he is AHRI advisory member of the board of directors and executive and planning committees.

He holds a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University and a master in business administration from the University of Virginia. He was a U.S. Navy officer from 1969 to 1973.

With Bettcher’s advancement to the chairmanship, Edgar Purvis Jr. was named executive vice president of Emerson and business leader of Emerson Climate Technologies, the latter a position Bettcher had held since 1997.

Purvis joined Emerson in 1983 as a product planner with Copeland. He then assumed a number of senior management positions in air conditioning marketing, sales, and product planning. In 1993 he was appointed vice president of marketing. In 1996 he became the president of refrigeration, a post he held until 2003 when he was named group vice president of refrigeration.

His bachelor and master degrees in mechanical engineering are from the University of Tennessee and the University of Michigan, respectively. He also holds a masters in business administration from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Purvis said that in the coming years he plans to “continue many of the initiatives Tom successfully undertook including a focus on strong industry stewardship and commitment to innovation, particularly in key areas such as electronics and expansion into services and solutions.”

Noting a number of recent appointments, Bettcher said, “I am confident that these new assignments and responsibilities for our management team will continue to provide a solid foundation of leadership to enhance our strong position in the industry. This combined experience sends a strong leadership message about the commitment of Emerson Climate Technologies to servicing our customers’ needs.”

Sidebar: 2008 HVACR Newsmakers

Name: Thomas Bettcher
Title: Chairman
Company: Emerson Climate Technologies
Location: Sidney, Ohio
Notable Quote: “Our management team will continue to provide a solid foundation of leadership to enhance our strong position in the industry.”

Name: Edgar Purvis Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President
Company: Emerson Climate Technologies
Location: Sidney, Ohio
Notable Quote: “(We will) continue to focus on strong industry stewardship and commitment to innovation.”

Publication date: 12/22/2008