You’ve probably seen this guy at our registration table… Meet Dan Mareschal, our Attendance & Reception Chair!
- Name: Dan Mareschal
- Company and Position: I work at Burns & McDonnell’s St. Louis office as a mechanical engineer and assistant PM.
- What does your company do/provide? We’re a full-service engineering and architectural consulting firm that also provides construction management. With approximately 5,500 full time employees, we support the built environment through a variety of industries all under one roof. Most of our facility designs fall within aviation, federal, manufacturing, mission critical, and healthcare markets. Other service offerings support district energy, oil & gas, electrical transmission and distribution, and transportation industries.
- How long have you worked for them? Over 1 year
- How long have you worked in this industry? Almost 7 years
- How did you come to work in your field? During college I interned with KCI Construction and Dynamic Engineered Systems. Engineers at both places were great mentors and I really enjoyed seeing my work products get built.
- What is your main job function? I design mechanical and plumbing systems for facilities and support the commissioning practice.
- What are you responsible for? I write proposals, lead and review mechanical designs, and find myself supporting all things HVAC related that pass through the STL office.
- What is the biggest challenge you face in your job? Making time to keep current with 3D production tools. I have not yet mastered the depths of Revit…
- What’s your favorite thing about working in this industry? I really enjoy learning from contractors in the field. Field work has always provided me an excellent opportunity for learning.
- What’s your least favorite thing about working in this industry? In the facilities world most design and construction projects are awarded on low cost, not qualification based selections. This low-bid approach has made our profession a commodity from the owner’s perspective and it is increasingly difficult to fill the role of a “trusted advisor”.
- What’s your involvement in ASHRAE? I am the Director of Attendance and Reception for 2015-2016. I also have served on the Chapter’s Program committee since 2010 and have been the Webmaster since 2014.
- What is your responsibility on the Board? First, recruiting help to cover my position when I have a conflict. I would like to say thank you to Cortni Townsend (8760), Jessica Mangler (R&B), Grant Irvine (McClure), Jason Hibbits (TMI), and Ron Hubbard (Behrmann) for their help this year. Second, Cortni Townsend and I manage registration, work the table, and distribute PDHs.
- What advice would you give someone just graduating college and starting in the HVAC world? Readily ask questions to more advanced engineers. It is the only way to accelerate your learning curve. Get involved outside of work – it doesn’t have to be ASHRAE, but something you believe in.
- What’s something you’ve learned through your involvement in ASHRAE? It takes a ton of work to making the chapter successful! Volunteering has been a worthwhile time investment since it helps our chapter grow.
- What made you want to be involved in ASHRAE? (Either on the board or as a regular member.) I wanted to have a voice on the program committee since it directly affects content presented to the chapter.
- Name one person who has been a mentor or an inspiration to you in your life (does not have to be in ASHRAE or in your professional career). Tell me about how they influenced you. My family and wife have always supported me and helped me push past my limits.
- Do you have a favorite sport or team? M-I-Z, Z-O-U
- What’s your favorite type of music or favorite band? Older country, folk, bluegrass, and rock.
- What’s your favorite thing to do for fun? Taking an early morning boat ride in the winter to my duck blind.
- Where is the coolest place you have traveled? My wife, Erin, and I honeymooned in Croatia and island hopped. Korcula was our favorite island since it was very slow paced. It is filled with small villages, fishing harbors, vineyards.
- What was the best vacation you’ve ever had? All trips with Erin are a blast. We aren’t much into planning and enjoy simply picking a destination and figuring out details as we go.
- When you retire and have a lot more time on your hands, what will you do? I’ll let you know when I get there; I typically keep myself booked though.
