Training Staff

Learn more about our certified training staff.

Mike Fomby
Mike Fomby is the instructor responsible for conducting HVAC Electrical and Refrigeration courses. Mike has a HVAC degree from John Patterson Technical School in Montgomery, Alabama is certified by the State Of Alabama Board of HVAC, NATE Certified, and ACCA Refrigerant Transition And Recovery Certified.

He is a certified proctor for the Esco institute 608 Exam. He has 35 years experience in installation and service of HVAC equipment. Mike has the knowledge and experience necessary to instruct students in the classroom and with hands-on training.

John Jackson
John Jackson is an Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning Certified Contractor (Inactive); a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE); a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE); N.A.T.E Certified in Air Distribution and Heat Pumps; N.A.T.E. Proctor; Air Conditioning Contractors of America Certified Instructor (ACCA) ; ACCA - EI Standards Task Team (STT) member; and also has a BS degree in Math.

He has been in the heating and air conditioning field since 1977 and since 1988, has been involved in the training, application, installation, and repair of HVAC equipment

Joel Owen
In Joel's role as Training Analyst-Staff, he is responsible for developing and delivering heating, ventilation and air conditioning training to utility marketing, HVAC contractors, building service and apartment maintenance personnel.

A native of Gadsden, Alabama, Joel is a graduate of Alabama Technical College (Gadsden State Community College) where he received a diploma in HVAC Technology. He joined Alabama Power in 1983 in the Appliance Service Department and moved to the Training Center as a training analyst in 1993.

Joel has been actively involved in the HVAC Industry for 32 years and holds eight (8) technician certifications and an Alabama State Board of Heating and Air Conditioning contractor's license, he is a certified Residential Mechanical Ventilation instructor for HRAI of Canada and a member of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). He also serves on the ICE (Industry Competence Exam) committee for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), Arlington, Virginia; the ACCA Education Summit Subcommittee; the technical committee for North American Technical Excellence (NATE), Arlington, Virginia; and as a site evaluator for Partnership for Air Condition, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation. He also serves as Chairperson of the Technical Committee for the HVACR SkillsUSA, State of Alabama competition.

Curtis D. Rhone
Mr. Rhone has 32 years service with Alabama Power and 37 years experience in the HVAC industry. He began his career as a start-up helper and progressed through classifications to service technician with various heating and cooling companies. He started with Alabama Power as a service mechanic in maintenance and was promoted to an instructor for Power Delivery, responsible for teaching craft and trades related to Power Delivery in line generation, transmission and distribution. In this position, he was responsible for field assistance to APCO service personnel. Other areas of responsibility included Marketing Training for field service representatives of HVAC.

Prior positions with APCO were Division Heat Pump Specialist and Senior Training Analyst. Mr. Rhone has participated in HVAC Refrigeration, Installation and Electrical Training and is currently responsible for the Commercial Electrical and Electrical Troubleshooting courses offered at the HVAC Training Center.

Mr. Rhone holds a B.S. Degree in Education, Associate Business Degree, and Associate Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration from Lawson State Community College. He is an IGSHPA certified trainer, holds a Universal certification for Refrigerant Transition and Recovery from ACCA. He has held NATE certifications in service and installation in air conditioning, air distribution, and air-to-air heat pumps. Mr. Rhone is also board certified by the State of Alabama Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors Board and teaches State Board Certification preparation classes.

Timothy A. Offord
While working on the maintenance staff at Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), Tim received his Air Conditioning and Refrigeration degree from Nunnelley State Technical College (currently Central Alabama Community College in Childersburg, Alabama). Upon graduation, he became the Air Conditioning Technician at AIDB.

In 1984, Tim began his employment with Alabama Power Company as an Appliance Serviceman . He was later promoted to Heat Pump Specialist and relocated to Montgomery. As Heat Pump Specialist, he helped assure the quality installation of heat pumps and assisted contractors in diagnosing problems.

He then assumed the duties of Senior Marketing Representative in Montgomery where he began running Manual J load calculations and duct designs for customers and contractors.

After serving as the Business Manager of Alabama Power's Marion office for three years, Tim came back to the HVAC Industry by becoming a Training Analyst at Alabama Power Company's HVAC Training Center.

He currently is responsible for six courses including Load Calculations, Duct Design, HVAC System Analysis, and State Board Review. Tim holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Troy University and is certified by the State of Alabama Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors Board.

Michael P. Milwee

Mr. Milwee has 27 years service with Alabama Power and 36 years experience in the HVAC industry. Mr. Milwee began his career as a service technician and later opened his own business. He started with Alabama Power as an Appliance Serviceman and was promoted to Assistant Superintendent - Appliance Service. In this position, he was responsible for field assistance to APCo service personnel and HVAC dealers with heat pump problems. Mr. Milwee was then promoted to Appliance Service Supervisor in the Gadsden District. He was responsible for the Appliance Service operation, serving approximately 60,000 customers.

Prior positions with APCo were Division Heat Pump Specialist and Senior Marketing Representative. Mr. Milwee is responsible for the refrigeration courses offered at the HVAC TC, as well as geothermal inquires and refrigerant recovery certification classes.

Mr. Milwee holds an Associate Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration from Gadsden State Community College, is an IGSHPA certified trainer, holds a Universal certification for Refrigerant Transition and Recovery from ACCA. He has NATE certifications in service and installation in air conditioning, air distribution, air-to-air heat pumps, and gas furnaces. He completed a Train-the-Trainer course on the fabrication and installation of fiberglass duct board from the North American Insulation Manufactures Association (NAIMA). Mr. Milwee is also board certified by the State of Alabama Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors Board. He also serves on the industry advisory board of HVAC Excellence.

Gina LeCroy
Gina has been at the HVAC Training Center since 1990. She is responsible for the following:
- Training Participant Enrollment
- Handling Logistical Details for Participants
- Billing and Accounts Receivable
- Transcript Information