We started out this year with a great turnout at the September meeting. Forty-six (46) were in attendance to hear Eric Pardee, Mechanical Inspection Supervisor from The City of Jacksonville speak on the subject of mechanical code enforcement in our local building market. Mr. Pardee discussed the mechanical plan review and submittal process, the mechanical inspection process, and a new online permitting system. We thank Mr. Pardee for offering to speak to the Chapter.

The theme of the September meeting was Membership Promotion. Our Membership Promotion chair, Shannon Karney, was there to inform the attendees on the benefits of membership and the various membership levels. If you have any questions about membership, you can call or e-mail Shannon at 904-399-4133 or skarney@tombarrow.com.

Which leads us to the theme for October, and that is Student Activities. What better place to promote student activities than in the shadow of the University of Florida in Gainesville.

As many of you are probably aware, the HVAC&R industry is not overwhelmed by an abundance of new recruits. Engineers these days are drawn to many other industries, including those outside the traditional fields of engineering. I was recently at a college of engineering career fair and was amazed at the number of financial management companies that were represented. You may wonder why financial management companies would be at an engineering career fair as I did. The reason is that the financial industry is tapping engineering students to fill positions requiring sophisticated mathematical analysis. Then there are the traditional fields of manufacturing, automotive and aerospace that draw mechanical engineering graduates.

Now, I am not trying to say that there is a crisis, but our HVAC&R industry could use some promotion with the youth of today so that our future of quality HVAC&R design, construction, and operation remains bright. We have a lot to offer up-and-coming engineering grads, not the least of which is the sense of accomplishment in participating in the construction of schools, hospitals, factories, churches and museums.

As much as engineers are stigmatized as antisocial, the vast majority of college students I talk to are interested in a career that involves social interaction. We can offer that whether that is coordination of our designs with professionals in other disciplines or interaction with owners and contractors. When played correctly, HVAC&R engineering is a contact sport and we need to promote the positive aspects of our industry whenever and wherever we have the opportunity.

Your opportunity will be at the October meeting where many students will also be in attendance to hear a panel discussion on engineering careers. The panelists will be from various segments of the HVAC&R community (AE/Consulting Engineering, Sales Engineering, Contracting, and Owner/Plant Engineering). Students will benefit from hearing about the different rewarding careers from the panelists. Comments from the floor by others in the industry like you help support the message. It is also a time where you can meet prospective recruits.

Your RSVPs to the meetings help us manage costs, so please do so as early as you can. More information on the meeting is contained in the announcement published in this issue.

Matt Orenchuk, our Student Activities Chair, has a message in this issue of the Diffuser that I ask you to read concerning other ways you can have a positive influence on the future of our industry. Contact Matt and let him know how you can help with his efforts.

Finally, I appreciate all those that participate in and support our Chapter. We have a lot to be proud of in The Jacksonville Chapter of ASHRAE, and it is all because of you.

Thank You,

Frank Mangin
ASHRAE Jacksonville Chapter President