The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has appointed Laura Demarse, Ed.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 9, 2026. She will lead the association’s staff and work with its Board of Directors to support HVACR contractors through education, advocacy, technical standards, and industry partnerships.
Demarse has experience in workforce development across higher education, private industry, and philanthropy. She founded the Accelerate to Industry Program (A2i), a workforce development model implemented at more than 30 institutions worldwide. Her work has received recognition from the National Science Foundation, the 2020 Blackburn Award for Excellence, and the 2019 NAGAP Exemplary Programs Award.
At Ford Motor Company, Demarse held a workforce development leadership role and directed the STEM Office for Outreach and Engagement. Her responsibilities included connecting industry workforce needs with education and training partners to develop pathways into technical careers. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Future of Work at the Charles Koch Foundation, overseeing a national philanthropic portfolio focused on economic growth and mobility.
Demarse holds a doctorate in workforce development, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her appointment comes as ACCA identifies technician recruitment, training, and retention as major challenges for HVACR contractors.
“Finding, training, and keeping skilled technicians is the defining challenge facing HVACR contractors today, and it touches every part of their business, from customer service to growth,” said Kurt Hudson, Chair of the ACCA Board of Directors.
“The HVACR industry is at a pivotal crossroads — balancing innovation, sustainability, and workforce transformation. ACCA will serve as the unifying voice that connects contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and policymakers to drive excellence, elevate standards, and strengthen the talent pipeline that powers our nation’s comfort and energy future,” said Demarse.
