Danny is the Student Activities Committee Chair . Learn more about him below!
- Name: Danny McGrail
- Company and Position: Ross & Baruzzini / Mechanical Engineer
- What does your company do/provide? Ross & Baruzzini is a consulting firm that provides engineering, consulting, and design services.
- How long have you worked for them? How long have you worked in this industry? My career at Ross & Baruzzini started with an internship in the summer of 2012. After graduating in May 2013, I started a full-time position and have been here for 2.5 years.
- How did you come to work in your field? I was interested in both buildings and math and science in high school, but didn’t know exactly what degree was best to pursue. My older brother attended Kansas State University for Architecture and told me about the Architectural Engineering program. I made a visit and decided to attend and to focus on structural systems. While at K-State, I learned about the MEP systems in buildings and quickly changed my focus to this route.
- What is your main job function? What are you responsible for? I am responsible for designing the mechanical systems for projects. I am part of the Higher Education and Research Market at Ross & Baruzzini so my primary clients are universities and research companies.
- What is the biggest challenge you face in your job? Keeping up with all the changing codes, owner requirements, and industry standards.
- What’s your favorite thing about working in this industry? I like that every day and project are different. Each offers a different challenge and I like finding innovative unique solutions to those challenges.
- What’s your involvement in ASHRAE? Aside from serving as the Student Activities Chair, I attend the YEA events, occasionally help at the registration table for monthly meetings, and have attended winter conferences in the past.
- What is your responsibility on the Board? I serve as the Student Activities Chair. My main responsibility is mentoring the student chapters so that their members can become actively involved society members
- What advice would you give someone just graduating college and starting in the HVAC world? Become involved in professional organizations and find a company/boss who challenges you.
- What’s something you’ve learned through your involvement in ASHRAE? The amount of dedication and passion that so many of the local, regional, society members have for the organization. The amount of education materials, mentorship, and research provided is unparalleled.
- What made you want to be involved in ASHRAE? As a student, I was involved K-State’s ASHRAE student chapter and received a Society scholarship. Serving as the Student Activities Chair offers me the opportunity to give back to ASHRAE Society and help current students experience all the great benefits of ASHRAE that I experienced as a student.
- Do you have a favorite sport or team? Any sport that Kansas State plays (mainly basketball and football). I also like the Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.
- What’s your favorite thing to do for fun? Cook. I really enjoy trying new recipes with fresh and different ingredients.
- Where is the coolest place you have traveled? Or what was the best vacation you’ve ever had? Coolest place: Big Island of Hawaii. There are so many different environments on the island from the wet jungle/rainforest side to the dry desert side of the island all surrounded by some of the coolest beaches in the world. Best vacation: Europe. I was lucky enough to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic in college which was basically one big 6-month vacation of Europe. Cumulatively it was the best vacation.
- When you retire and have a lot more time on your hands, what will you do? Travel and read. I love to do both, but don’t do as much of either as I would like.
