for IDEA organizing a cooling conference in
the Middle East, we might never have seen
the area for ourselves. Now we are conducting business there.
Courtesy RMF Engineering Inc.
During a recent visit to the Middle East organized
by IDEA, RMF President Duane Pinnix (left) and
RMF Vice President and IDEA Chair Bob Smith
had a convincing look at the incredible growth
of district cooling in the region.
Q. Please share with us something
about the people who have served
as your mentors or have had a great
influence on your career. Why did they
make a difference? I am fortunate to have
worked for and with many great people.
The men who hired me – Jack Ross, Ed
Murphy and Barry Finkelstein – are fine
engineers and good role models. They
taught me from the beginning to consider
the most energy-efficient, long-term solutions even though the ‘easy’ solutions
might have less initial cost. We were incorporating sustainability into projects years
before it was fashionable. I’ve worked with
many of the same men and women for
more than 20 years. These kinds of relationships tend to be special – maybe nonexistent in some workplaces. When you
work toward common goals with people
for many years, you begin to anticipate one
another’s thoughts and needs along the
way, and it smoothes project execution.
Q. Obviously energy is a ‘hot’ topic
right now worldwide. What is the
greatest ray of hope in the industry
right now? Why? The whole world is
talking about energy, greenhouse gases
and climate change. There is great momentum. It has moved from the ASHRAE Journal
to The Wall Street Journal, and it is more
than just about sticker shock at the gas
pump. People are getting better educated
on energy matters. The knowledge is reaching all age groups and walks of life, and the
issues are not going to disappear. This offers
a great opportunity for district energy and
CHP to present its success stories and help
minimize some of the problems.
Q. What piece of advice would you
like to share with people who are new
to the district energy and/or CHP
industries? In my short career, this is the
most active time. There are incredible new
developments taking place in the world
and a real need to renew, revitalize and
rebuild aged and inefficient systems in the
U.S. The opportunities have never been
better. People are paying attention to energy
and environmental stewardship, and the
enthusiasm for efficient district energy is
strong. There are many district energy systems that are progressive and employing
efficient technologies. It’s encouraging
when you meet people who ‘get it’ with
regard to these issues and are making great
strides to do the right things.
Q. What are IDEA’s biggest challenges
and opportunities, as you see them?
Energy and the environment are at the
forefront of everyone’s discussions. The time
to endorse the positive benefits of district
energy – particularly those that embrace
Courtesy Smith Family.
Bob Smith’s children visit with Snoopy in St. Paul,
Minn., during IDEA’s 96th Annual Conference in
2005.
CHP, renewable fuels and environmental
balance – is now. As we recently saw in
Washington, D.C., during IDEA’s lobbying
activities, policy making often comes down
to whoever is making the most noise and
has the most visibility. The merits of district
energy need everyone’s voice.
IDEA will soon be entering its 100th
year of operation. This doesn’t happen by
accident; it comes from the dedication and
participation of the organization’s leaders
and members. The leadership has done a
great job of opening new opportunities for
its members. I’m reminded of Walt Disney’s
quote that was recently heard in the
animated feature film “Meet the Robinsons”:
“Around here, however, we don't look
backwards for very long. We keep moving
forward, opening up new doors and doing
new things ... and curiosity keeps leading us
down new paths.”
Q. What does it mean to be a leader?
Someone once said, “Good leaders take
people where they want to go. Great leaders
take people where they don’t necessarily
want to go but ought to be.” I’ve seen this
played out so many times – not just in business but in volunteer organizations, churches,
trade associations and IDEA. The re-energiz-ing of IDEA took place just a handful of
years ago when the board of directors prior
to my election made some difficult and bold
decisions to be self-directing. It was not an
easy move, but it was clearly the right
decision. Today the association is financially
sound, growing, setting new objectives and
meeting them.
Q. What advice would you have to
people who are new to IDEA? For every
ounce you give to IDEA, you will get a pound
back in reward. RMF’s very best clients and
projects have come through networking in
the association. The exchange of technical
knowledge is so freely given and so valuable.
There are innovative technical approaches
being applied by IDEA participants that can
benefit everyone. My advice is to go to the
conferences, participate in the forums, make
presentations, read the magazine, take the
technical tours and serve in a useful capacity. IDEA conferences are held in attractive
locations and are ideally suited for family
enjoyment. Our family had made has made
them a combination of business and pleasure
for more than 10 straight years.
