What is your current position? What is your area of focus?
I am a Sr. Mechanical/Plumbing Designer; my work includes plumbing design for health care and industrial sectors.
What are your career journey highlights?
- Making the jump from HVAC design to plumbing. I still did some HVAC for lot of years, but plumbing became primary focus.
- Making the jump from an engineering office to the contracting side for a few years. Sometimes a completely different mindset and approach. Now, I'm back in an engineering office.
- Being involved with the Minnesota ASPE board, eventually becoming President.
- Mentoring our new hire in the office to eventually take over when I retire in 4-5 years. I enjoy watching him learn; he's a sponge.
What motivated you to get into the plumbing engineering industry?
I worked at a small (4-5 person) engineering firm doing HVAC design. My boss threw me a plumbing code book and said "Learn it, you're our new plumbing guy." I picked up plumbing relatively quick and have enjoyed the whole design process since that point.
What is the most exciting or rewarding aspect of your work?
The people I work with and know in the industry. The wealth of knowledge I have been able to gain from co-workers, constituents and vendors has been amazing. The learning never stops.
What value have you gained from participation in ASPE Connect?
The sharing of ideas on how to handle the myriad of questions that come up. I've learned through the years that there is not one single way to approach problems, there can be multiple ways to resolve design issues. The forum gives you that opportunity to see a different point of view that you might not otherwise have thought of.
What has been your most interesting plumbing design challenge?
The first ground up hospital project where I was the lead designer for the med gas systems. I had never done the complete design by myself to that point.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
I have lots of outside interest but being a scout leader gives me the most joy, especially working with and watching these young boys/girls grow from the time they enter the program until the time they leave. These kids are our future leaders and if I can have some kind of impact on how they turn out, no matter how small, then I've accomplished something.
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