Bob Baker

Bob Baker has been partnered for many years with Lane Jackins, owning Applied Mechanical Equipment Co. Bob is now retired, but remains active in our industry through his continued interest through ASHRAE as a life member. Over the last thirty-plus years Bob has been active in the Jacksonville Chapter serving as various committee chairs and as a very successful Chapter President for 1976 - 1977.

Q. What attracted you to engineering?
A. Initially, being in the business of selling components of air conditioning systems, I felt a knowledge of the engineering behind the product was essential.

Q. How did you get an education in engineering?
A. Following my time in the Armed Forces, I was fortunate enough to be able to use the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Florida and graduated in 1954.

Q. When and for what companies have you worked? On what products did you work?
A. I started with American Blower in 1954, working with fans, air handlers, coils, and associated equipment. In 1960, I became an agent for American Air Filter, and continued there until 1971. At that time I became an agent for York, Acme, AAF, and others in my own company.

Q. Describe the industry at the time. What were the challenges faced by you and your colleagues?
A. For my part, I tended to concentrate on what was happening in the design and marketing of chillers. During these past twenty-five years, chillers have been re-designed from what had been operating. We had many challenges in marketing new ideas, and new designs that have evolved into the highly efficient chillers we see today.

Q. When you moved to Jacksonville and started your own company in 1971, what were some of your significant projects and significant clients?
A. The Independent Life Building was, at the time, a very high profile building in Northeast Florida. The design by Van Wagenen and Van Wagenen incorporated one of the first interfaces of Life Safety and Mechanical Systems. In addition to Van Wagenen and Van Wagenen, who were legendary in this area at the time, W. W. Gay was the mechanical contractor and part of the design-build team. Another significant project was a variable flow system dust collector for G.E. This project included some firsts in equipment, some unusual, special, one-of-a-kind applications.

Q. What was the major breakthrough in our industry that affected the public during your professional life?
A. The single major breakthrough with which I was involved was the evolution of chillers. The efficiencies achieved today are beyond any thing we imagined thirty years ago.

Q. You joined ASHRAE in 1956. Why? Tell me about your involvement.
A. I joined ASHRAE because of the Society. It is National Society, and that was important. I was involved with ASHRAE in many parts of the country before coming to Jacksonville. This involvement was in Dallas, the West Coast, Atlanta, as well as here. During my time in ASHRAE I have served in all the chapter offices and served on every committee in a chapter.

Q. What people from our industry stand out?
A. It has been my good fortune to work with many outstanding people over the years. However, a few standout above the many. These includes Wes Floreth, Bill Gay, Jim Grinnan, and Frank Houser.

Q. Tell me about your hobby.
A. One of my hobbies that I have enjoyed throughout my life is golf. By far, the most rewarding has been business.

Q. What advice would you give a young person thinking of becoming an engineer in our field?
A. Go for it! Get a good education and get into the high tech end of our business.

Q. What is your proudest accomplishment?
A. Specifying and selling the air conditioning system at Love Field Terminal.

Q. What has ASHRAE meant to your professional and personal life?
A. I could not have achieved whatever level of personal success I have without ASHRAE. On the professional level, it is the advancement of the technology of our industry, which has largely been a result of ASHRAE, that has enabled me to enjoy both personal and professional satisfaction. Without ASHRAE, none of this would have happened. I hope I have given back at least a part of what it has given me, both then and now.

Q. Would you care to make any comment to the ASHRAE members?
A. This is the greatest Society for the industry ever started. The Society is the source of industry growth. Finally, the Chapter and the Society will give you the opportunity to meet with the best people in our industry.

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