Since getting involved with NEBB in 2007, Chinchilla has served the organization in various capacities. He began as a corresponding member of the testing, adjusting, and balancing committee before serving on the technical committee of the Capital-MarVa chapter in Maryland. In 2016, he became treasurer of the Capital-MarVa chapter, which has an international membership, and was chapter president in 2018.

After joining NEBB’s board of directors in 2019, Chinchilla became NEBB treasurer, and joined the executive finance committee in 2021 before becoming vice president and chairman of the exam development committee.

Chinchilla is a licensed professional chemical engineer with two master’s degrees in business administration and has NEBB professional certifications in testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB), cleanroom performance testing (CPT), and building commissioning. Chinchilla currently owns and operates OPIA Operaciones e Ingenieria de Avanzada de Centroamerica S.A., which offers TAB, commissioning, validation, and other building services and is based in San Jose, Costa Rica.

“I am 100 percent ‘Tico,’ or native of Costa Rica, and it is truly an honor to serve as NEBB’s first president from Latin America,” Chinchilla said in a press release. “My goal is to continue moving NEBB forward as an industry leader globally.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Luis for 15 years now. From chapter and committee involvement to his work as a member of the board, Luis has been an invaluable member of NEBB for a long time,” said Tiffany Meyers, NEBB executive vice president. “His unique perspective has helped NEBB adapt and foresee important changes and initiatives over the years. I look forward to all we will achieve working together.”

“I am pleased to hand the reins over to someone I know will continue to build upon the recent progress that’s been made and continue to inspire professionals and firms to get involved with NEBB for the benefit of our industry,” said Phil Emory, immediate past president.