ASHRAE Chapter History
Leadership Recall Interview
Jacksonville, Florida Chapter (034)
June 29, 2009
Time: N/A
Subject: John Hale, 2005-2006 President - Jacksonville Chapter
Interviewed by: Frank Mangin, Historian - Jacksonville Chapter
Where were you born?
Jacksonville, FL (Memorial Hospital)
Do you have a college degree?
Yes, an AA from FCCJ and a BS from the University of Central Florida
What was your field of study?
Mechanical Engineering
Do you have professional registration? If yes what states?
Yes. Professional Engineer (FL), LEED AP (USGBC), and CxA (AABC)
What attracted you to the HVAC&R industry?
Always liked to take apart and rebuild things as a child and that got me interested in engineering. Started out studying Electrical Engineering and wasn't hands-on enough and switched to Mechanical Engineering. At UCF, became a student member of ASME. The ASHRAE meetings happened to occur next door the ASME meetings, and it seemed like they were having a lot more fun there. After that, decided to take the "Energy" option in the Mechanical Engineering program and took the HVAC course. Later, gave out a resume at an ASHRAE meeting and got a job in HVAC industry.
What did you do early in your career?
Moved back to Jacksonville in 1999 and was hired by TLC. Did the usual early HVAC career activities like load calculations. Was later promoted to Project Manager.
How and when did you become interested in ASHRAE?
It is the reason for being the field of HVAC. Without ASHRAE, would never have known about HVAC. Got involved in the Chapter when "volunteered" at TLC, which was very supported of ASHRAE participation.
What was most memorable about your year as Chapter President?
This was the year after the Chapter hosted the CRC and the chapter was financially challenged. I was fortunate to have a strong board of governors and committee chairs that seized the reigns for planning each of our events through the year. The CRC in August of 2005 was in Ft. Lauderdale and ended the week before Hurricane Katrina swept across the host hotel on its way to New Orleans.
ASHRAE History Chapter offices held:
2006-07 2007-06 Jacksonville Past President / Governor / Historian
2005-07 2006-06 Jacksonville President
2004-07 2005-06 Jacksonville President Elect
2003-07 2004-06 Jacksonville Vice President
2002-07 2003-06 Jacksonville Secretary
Professional Experience:
From To Employer Title Duties
January 1999 July 2006 TLC Engineering Mechanical Project Engineer
Responsible for total management of all the aspects of the project. Direct leadership of the engineering design and production for multiple disciplines. Marketing and client maintenance, including preparation of proposals and negotiation of contracts.
July 2006 Present University of North Florida Assistant Director & Professional Engineer
Lead and manage the engineering department for Physical Facilities. Manage infrastructure budget and associated construction projects. Conduct peer reviews of all construction documents for the University to ensure compliance with construction standards.
