About Us: History

History

GEBCO Associates was founded in 1987, initially to serve the asbestos industry through a labor pool of trained asbestos workers. 1987 was also the year the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency launched their accreditation program for all asbestos personnel. GEBCO's asbestos worker training was the first to be approved in Texas under the EPA Model Accreditation Plan. By 1988, GEBCO was a fully-approved EPA Training Provider for asbestos workers, contractors, supervisors, inspectors and management planners...and was solidly established in the exclusive work of providing environmental training.

In 1989, courses in Hazardous Waste Operation (HAZWOPER) were added, following the curriculum requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's regulation, 1910.120.

Also in 1989, GEBCO entered into agreement with the Center for Continuing Education of the University of North Texas, establishing an affiliation. It provides for a UNT faculty member to guest lecture in our asbestos courses. Until 2002, Dr. Russ Pinizzotto from their Center for Materials Characterization served in this capacity. In 2003, Dr. Richard Reidy with their Materials Science Department assumed this role.

Texas' licensing requirements for asbestos personnel were established in 1993, and GEBCO immediately became a licensed Training Provider in all asbestos disciplines under the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules of the Texas Department of Health (now known as the Texas Department of State Health Services).

In June of 1996, GEBCO became the third training provider accredited under the new Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules, and now provides all courses required for certification under that regulation.

In December of 2004, GEBCO was the first training provider to be approved to provide all initial mold training courses under the Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules.

In July of 2005, GEBCO initiated its "Giving Back" program, a company effort to respond to the international campaign being made to eliminate extreme poverty throughout the world. We do this in appreciation for the success we have enjoyed and in recognition of our responsibility to share our resources with those in need.

Location

GEBCO moved October 1, 2012, to a new facility in Hurst, minutes from DFW Airport. Our new address is 815 Trailwood Dr, Suite 200, Hurst, TX 76053. Click here for detailed Driving Directions.

GEBCO primarily serves Texas and neighboring states, though some students come from all parts of the country. On-site courses for groups can be provided at any location through special arrangements.

Patron Comments

Over 97% of our students have given us a good or better rating on our class evaluations. Here are some of the kinder remarks from the more than 10,000 who have attended: