I was originally not going into the HVAC industry upon graduation. I had intent of doing defense work in Huntsville, Alabama, but when I graduated there was a hiring freeze in that industry.
So, because I had taken a load calculation course as an elective while in college, I got a job with a small consulting firm in my area. After being at this job for a few years, I moved to a larger firm with more resources and stayed there until I started my own firm at the age of 32. I had two small daughters and was looking for a way to work from home and spend more time with them.
That was 28 years ago, and my business is still going strong with over 25 employees. This career has been the best thing I could ever have fallen into, and my involvement in ASHRAE has really enhanced my career by allowing me to connect with many others in my area that do the same thing. My previous Boss stated that involvement in ASHRAE is a way to give back to this industry that gives us so much, and I have taken that statement to heart. I’ve volunteered continuously for ASHRAE for close to 30 years, and as much as I have given to ASHRAE I have gotten much more back!
I look forward to my continued involvement in ASHRAE after my Presidential year and I look forward to continuing to advance my career with the new technologies that are going to be needed for our industry to accomplish what we need to accomplish to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Experienced engineers will be needed moving forward who are willing to adapt to the new systems that will need to be designed that will reduce carbon emissions from the built environment.