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ASHRAE Chapter History Leadership Recall Interview Jacksonville, Florida Chapter (034) Date: June 29, 1997 |
Let's start things off by talking about your
background, including where you were born, where you attended school, and where you
worked early in your career.
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. I attended high school in Brunswick, Georgia and college at Georgia Tech. I was a 1977 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Georgia Tech is currently the fifth rated engineering
school in the country by U.S. News and World Report. It is a good school. I wanted to go
there myself. In 1977, I took a job with Armco Steel Company to Ashland, Kentucky. It was a steel mill. We made steel from iron ore. Did you actually do HVAC work there? No, I was a plant
engineer doing plant improvements and industrial health. In 1979, I took a job with Babcock
and Wilcox in Brunswick, Georgia, I did facility and plant improvements. Was it a
manufacturing plant? Yes, they made industrial fossil fueled boilers. In 1987, I took a job
with Benoix Corporation to help build a manufacturing plant in Jacksonville. I stayed on as
a plant engineer. In 1988, I took a job with A. L. Smith mechanical contractors. They are
a design/build contractor. I am currently Vice President . We have approximately fifty
employees and offer full service mechanical, plumbing and controls work. We offer building
service, new construction and design/build.
Describe your beginnings with ASHRAE.
I began my life with ASHRAE in 1988 when Marc Cobble was president. The meetings were then held at Memorial Hospital. Someone did the right thing for me by assigning me to the recreation committee. It is a great way to meet people. It was a fun job and I recommend it to new members. After that, I moved to the Telephone committee, then TEGA chair, and programs. I have also been Governor,
Treasurer, Vice President, President Elect and President. I have spent the last two years as regional vice-chair for programs. I am now leaving that position. That is where I am today.
I know that you are a registered professional engineer. Is that correct?
Yes, I am registered in Georgia and Florida.
Who are some memorable people that you have known and memorable jobs that you have
done?
A job that comes to mind right away is one that won a regional TEGA award. That
was the Palatka High School renovation project. It was a job in which we used new outside
air pre-treatment technology. It also used exhaust air to pre-treat the make-up air. Just
getting a school board to consider doing the right thing was an accomplishment. I have
done other work in hospitals, schools and high rises, but the bulk has been renovation
work. I haven't done much new construction. I have been a part-time consulting engineer.
Both my dad and brother are consulting engineers. It is a lot more exciting, being a
contractor. It is probably a way more profitable also (both laughing). I hope so.
What attracted you into the engineering business, your dad?
Yes, it was a done deal from the minute I was born.
What people have you known over the years including ASHRAE members who really stand
out?
There are a lot of people who I have a lot of respect for, especially in the ASHRAE
community. ASHRAE is formed from volunteers and these people have as much passion
for ASHRAE as you can imagine. Ed Grey always comes to mind. I agree ED, is great, he
was president when I came to Jacksonville when I started thinking about this assignment.
you, Ed Gray. Suzanne Lavisere and Davis Bulee came in mind as providing excellent
chapter leadership during my seven years here. Early on, Bob Baker also encouraged me
with respect to ASHRAE. Both Bill and Lane Jackins were instrumental in helping get me
involved in Jacksonville. Barney Von Herman was also a good guy. I have also interviewed
Barney great guy.
I know that you have a 1:00 meeting, I appreciate you taking the time. Thank you.
(Ed. Note: Our archives show Alan as Treasurer in 1991/1992, Vice President in 1992/1993, President-Elect in 1993/1994, and President in 1994/1995.) Thank You.
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