STATE OF THE SOCIETY ADDRESS

摘要

During my presentation at the ASHRAE Annual Conference last summer, I spoke about how I had embarked upon my ASHRAE journey. Throughout this journey, I became passionate about the idea that making or building things is just not enough. We must ensure operational performance for the people that live, work, and interact in these buildings. People must succeed within the buildings we create. Last June, I spoke to you about my journey. Growing up, my childhood memories were of being around large equipment and the rugged individuals who operated and maintained that equipment. At 14, my father left our family. My mother, younger sister, and I were left on welfare. I was thrust into the role of "man of the house" and became the chief operating officer of our substandard housing. It was then that I began to appreciate the importance of safe, healthy, and effective building operations. At 15, I went on a junior high school trip to the local university, where we toured the power plant. Again, this large equipment fascinated me. It was then that I caught the mechanical engineering bug. As a young technologist, I learned about ASHRAE and began using the ASHRAE Handbooks to succeed as a mechanical designer, then I quit my job to return to university to get my mechanical engineering degree. My ASHRAE journey continues as 1 focus on my Society year theme-"Building for People and Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence."